Concours of Elegance 2018, Hampton Court Palace
A 3 day event featuring, rare cars from 31 August-2 September 2018 at the Hampton Court Palace
Use the following special discount code to purchase tickets – MOLESEYLIFE241
It will give 2 standard tickets for the price of 1 across all days of the show
Please note, all discount codes will expire Thursday 30th at 11:59pm
https://www.theticketfactory.com/coe/online/
More photos from the 2017 event are available here
Photos from the 2014 event are available here
IN BRIEF
History
- The Concours of Elegance began at Windsor Castle in 2012, as the only motoring event ever to have been granted access to the secretive, and beautiful, Quadrangle. That first event was designed to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, with a gathering of 60 of the finest cars in the world.
- Following its debut event – which won a major international award – the Concours of Elegance moved between Royal Palaces. St James’s in 2013, Hampton Court in 2014, Holyroodhouse in 2015, then Windsor in 2016 and Hampton Court in 2017.
- From 2017 to 2021, the event will be hosted at Hampton Court Palace
- Cars must be invited to attend the Concours Elegance, with a decision on invites and acceptances made by the event’s Steering Committee; a group of world-renowned motoring experts.
General information
- The Concours of Elegance is this year presented by our title partner, luxury watchmakers A. Lange & Söhne
- Concours of Elegance is bringing more than 1,000 of the world’s most exclusive cars to Hampton Court Palace, from August 31 to September 2
- More than 60 of the rarest and most beautiful cars ever built make up the ‘Main Concours’ event, with almost a thousand others joining other displays throughout the weekend.
The Main Concours
- Highlights of the Main Concours include a 1967 Aston Martin DBSC by Touring – the only road-going version in existence. Only two cars were built by Touring as a potential replacement for the Aston Martin DB6.
- Also on display is the 1927 Mercedes S-Type Barker Tourer ‘Boat Tail’, arguably the finest car in the world. This unique car will be appearing in the UK for the first time since 1958
- The unique Jaguar XK120 by Pininfarina can also be seen in the grounds of Hampton Court Palace. This very special one-time fastest car in the world is the only example to have a bespoke body from legendary Italian coachbuilders, Pininfarina.
- There is no judging panel in the Main Concours, as being invited to attend is such an achievement in itself. Instead, the owners of the cars are asked to cast their vote on which they believe to be the most elegant.
Other Motoring Features
- The Jaguar Drivers’ Club will be celebrating 70 years of the XK sports car, with a standout gathering of XK120,140 and 150 vehicles, and the Aston Martin Owners’ Club will also be bringing a variant of every single DB4 ever built, in celebration of 60 years of the DB4.
‘Harry’s Garage’ is a collection of the fastest four-door cars ever built, curated by Harry Metcalfe of the Harry’s Garage YouTube channel, and founder of evo Magazine. The group will be spearheaded by the one-of-300, 200mph Jaguar XE SV Project 8.
The Hypercar Concours – The Main Concours is about the rarest and most beautiful cars in the world, but the Hypercar Concours is about the fastest. These 200mph-plus cars must be quick, and they must be exclusive – think Pagani, Bugatti, Koenigsegg and more
Pre-1905 Concours – In association with the Royal Automobile Club, Concours of Elegance will be hosting a convoy of the earliest motoring pioneers; Veteran cars built before 1905.
The Club Trophy
The Club Trophy brings together the most incredible models from the UK’s premier car clubs, including Rolls-Royce, Ferrari, Bentley, Bugatti and more. All entries are judged by a team of experts, which in the past has included David Gandy and Prince Michael of Kent
The winning car is granted a place in the Main Concours of the following year’s event – a money-can’t-buy prize. Last year’s winner was a 1912 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, once owned by the Mahajara of Nabha.
Central Stage
The focal point of Concours of Elegance 2018 is a central stage, which will see dynamic displays of cars throughout the weekend, allowing visitors to see, hear and smell some of the world’s most exceptional vehicles
Motoring experts will be on-hand over the course of the event to bring these cars to life with tales of their racing, their famous owners or the incredible stories behind their engineering and design.
Charity
The Concours of Elegance is a charity fundraising event, and has already donated more than £1.2m to charity
A number of hospitality options are available, including a three-course artisan picnic from Tom’s Kitchen Deli – created by Tom Aikens.
Hospitality packages that include VIP parking, champagne reception, three-course silver service lunch and afternoon tea are also available.
Partners and Exhibitors
Concours of Elegance has a host of exclusive partners for this year’s event, including A. Lange & Söhne, Aston Martin and Nicholas Mee & Co.
Tailors, Henry Poole & Co, will be in attendance alongside luxury barbers, Truefitt & Hill, as part of a line-up of brands, car specialists, jewellers, arthouses and food and drink businesses.
2018 Photos Saturday 1 September
Concours of Elegance 2018, Hampton Court Palace, 31 August-2 September
CONCOURS OF ELEGANCE AT HAMPTON COURT PALACE: THE MOST EXCLUSIVE CAR PARK IN THE WORLD
Concours of Elegance 2018, Hampton Court Palace, 31 August-2 September
TICKETS FROM £25, AVAILABLE FROM CONCOURSOFELEGANCE.CO.UK
IN DETAIL
The event
The Concours of Elegance began in 2012, showcasing sixty of the world’s finest cars at Windsor Castle to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Since then it has moved to St James’s Palace and Hampton Court Palace, before heading to the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh in 2015 and back to Windsor Castle in 2016. From 2017, Concours of Elegance signed a five-year agreement with Hampton Court palace, meaning it’ll be hosted there until 2021.
At its heart, are the cars but the Concours of Elegance is about much, much more. World-famous luxury brands, arthouses, watchmakers and drinks specialists will be on-hand at Hampton Court Palace, transforming the grounds into a luxury shopping and entertainment hub, with one of the most astonishing backdrops in the world. Serenaded by live jazz musicians, while browsing the latest fine timepieces of A. Lange & Söhne and enjoying a glass of Taittinger Champagne, Concours of Elegance is a unique luxury paradise.
This year the event is hosted with our title sponsor, A. Lange & Söhne. For several generations, the A. Lange & Söhne watchmakers have pursued one goal: to craft timepieces that are at the pinnacle of international haute horlogerie. They follow the rule that Walter Lange once formulated: “There’s something one should expect not only of a watch but also of oneself: to never stand still.” Thanks to this approach, A. Lange & Söhne continues its pursuit to craft exceptional mechanical masterpieces. The developed timepieces are unique, just like the people who have actively contributed to A. Lange & Söhne’s success story. It is the personality of every single employee that shapes our company.
The Main Concours
More than sixty of the world’s rarest cars will gather in the beautiful grounds of Hampton Court Palace this September. The Main Concours always tells the story of the motor car from start to finish, and will this year include a 15hp 1903 Panhard et Levassor, alongside the very latest 2018 Ferrari GTC4 Lusso. In between the bookends of automotive history, you’ll find icons such as the Aston Martin DB5 Convertible, Lamborghini 400 GT, Porsche 904 and Jaguar XJ220.
‘Main Concours’ Car Highlights
1912 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Taj Mahal
This impeccable Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost ‘Taj Mahal’, originally owned by the Maharaja of Nabha. It features a larger fuel tank, a louvered bonnet and a special tropical electrical system, all specified for its first role in life as a demonstrator for the Bombay Rolls-Royce sales office. The car is affectionately known as ‘Nellie’ by its current owner.
1920 Ballot 3/8 LC
Just four of these 3-litre 8-cylinder cars Ballot cars were produced for top level Grand Prix racing in the 1920s, and this particular example has an impeccable history. In 1921 it won the first ever Italian Grand Prix, and it was also owned by Sir Malcolm Campbell, who raced it at Brooklands in 1923.
1927 Mercedes-Benz S-Type Barker Tourer ‘Boat Tail’
Also on display is the 1927 Mercedes S-Type Barker Tourer ‘Boat Tail’, arguably the finest car in the world. This unique car will be appearing in the UK for the first time since 1958, when it was under the ownership of British Racing Drivers’ Club co-founder Earl Howe. This car was fitted with a revolutionary body which incorporated a lightweight and aerodynamic shell with unique aircraft-inspired aluminium side pods crafted by English coachbuilders Barker.
1929 Rolls–Royce Phantom I Brewster ‘Golden Riviera’
All Rolls-Royces are special, but some are totally unique. This example may be one of ten Riviera Phantom I cars built, but it’s the only example specified by its owner with gold-plated exterior trim as far as the eye could see. Bought by Irene Schoelkopf Carman in 1929, it also comes fitted with a few of her other ‘optional extras’, including a Dunhill lighter, an intercom for communicating with the driver and a mirror pad.
1957 Ferrari 500 TRC by Scaglietti
Named after the FIA ‘C’ racing regulations to which it was built to comply, this 500 TRC, or ‘Testa Rossa C’, is one of the most beautiful Ferraris ever built. This particular example is the last TRC produced, and the last ever four-cylinder car Ferrari made. It also comes complete with an impressive race history, including class wins at both the 1957 12 Hours of Sebring and 24 Hours of Le Mans.
1967 Aston Martin DBSC by Touring
This 1967 Aston Martin DBSC by Touring is the only road-going version in existence. Only two cars were built by Touring as a potential replacement for the Aston Martin DB6, and this left-hand-drive 4-litre, straight-six powered rarity comes finished in Dubonnet Rosso paint, with a tan pigskin interior.
1967 Ferrari 365 California Spyder
This 1967 Ferrari 365 California Spyder is one of only fourteen ever made, and one of twelve left-hand drive. Designed by Pininfarina, it was the seventh model built by Ferrari, as the direct successor to the 500 Superfast Coupe. Named “California” after its successful 250 predecessors, the 365 Spyder was fitted with a sophisticated 4.4-litre V12 engine, producing up to 320hp.
1992 Jaguar XJ220
Jaguar’s first 200mph car, the XJ220, still looks like nothing else on the road. Initially designed with a V12 and all-wheel-drive, it was eventually delivered with a twin-turbo V6 and rear-wheel-drive – but performance was still exhilarating. In fact, the XJ220 was the fastest car in the world, setting a speed of 212.3mph at the Nardo test track. Only 281 were ever built, making it one of the rarest supercars on the road.
The Live Stage
This year at Concours of Elegance the focal point of the event will be the central stage, hosted in front of the Palace. Over the course of the weekend almost every one of the Main Concours cars and Special Feature cars will start their engines and drive through the Palace grounds up on to the Live Stage.
It’s a rare chance for visitors to experience the sights, sounds and smells of some of the most iconic and important cars ever produced. Expert commentary and conversation will bring these cars to life with tales of their racing, their famous owners or the incredible stories behind their engineering and design.
The Special Features
- Pre-1905 Veteran Cars
In association with the Royal Automobile Club, Concours of Elegance will be hosting a convoy of the earliest motoring pioneers; Veteran cars built before 1905. These historically important vehicles will thrum into the grounds of Hampton Court Palace demonstrating the very beginnings of many motoring stories that continue to this day. Visitors will recognise names like Benz and Peugeot, but also brands who played their part before disappearing or evolving; the likes of Panhard et Levassor and Star.
- Harry’s Garage
Motoring expert, Harry Metcalfe, founder of the Harry’s Garage YouTube channel and evo magazine, will be bringing together a selection of his favourite ultra-exclusive modern supercars. Rare and desirable, this collection of vehicles will include the latest from Pagani and Bugatti, Koenigsegg.
- Jaguar XK Celebration
This year’s marks 70 years since the introduction of the car that started Jaguar’s sports car story; the XK120. The Jaguar XK had one of the most successful racing careers of any Jaguar model, and set the blueprint for the iconic E-Type that followed in 1961. At Concours of Elegance we’ll be gathering a selection of the finest XK models ever built, from the focused XK120 Roadster models to the later, more comfortable XK150 Fixed Head Coupé.
- Aston Martin DB4 Celebration
The Aston Martin Owners Club will be bringing a collection of every single variant of the DB4 produced, including DB4 Convertible, DB4 GT, DB4 GT Zagato and more. It’s a celebration of one of Aston Martin’s most iconic models, 60 years after it was first introduced.
- The Hypercar Concours
The Main Concours is about the rarest and most beautiful cars in the world, but the Hypercar Concours is about the fastest. These 200mph-plus cars must be quick, and they must be exclusive – think Pagani, Bugatti, Koenigsegg and more.
Specialists’ Showcase
Some of the UK’s best classic car specialists will be exhibiting at the Concours of Elegance 2018, including Nicholas Mee, Frank Dale, Classic Motor Cars, Fiskens, Duncan Hamilton ROFGO and GTO Engineering. Displaying some of their most amazing models, the Specialists’ Showcase offers visitors the chance to not only admire the cars on display but also, to buy them.
The Club Trophy
The Club Trophy will be held at the Palace in September, featuring hundreds of classic cars from across the UK and the best-of-the-best from the nation’s car clubs. Each club submits their individual Concours winners, which are then judged by a panel of Concours of Elegance experts, chaired by HRH Prince Michael of Kent and guest judges which in recent years have included David Gandy and Mark Knopfler. The Club Trophy winner car is then entered in to the Concours of Elegance in 2019, just as the 1912 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost that won the Trophy in 2017 is displayed among this year’s Main Concours entrants.
Charity and partners
One of the primary aims of Concours of Elegance is to raise money for charity, and this year’s event will be generating funds for Marie Curie and Springfield Youth Club Hackney. So far, Concours of Elegance has raised more than £1,250,000 for its charities.
Concours of Elegance takes place between 31 August – 2 September and has partnered with a series of exclusive brands for the event, including Aston Martin, Lange & Söhne and members of the Royal Warrant Holders’ Association.
Full the full list of sponsors, please click here: https://concoursofelegance.co.uk/sponsors-exhibitors/
Tickets are available now from concoursofelegance.co.uk, with an adult ticket costing £40, and discounts for children. A variety of hospitality packages are also available.