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The Concours of Elegance will return to Hampton Court Palace this August 31 - September 2 for a seventh year, and this year’s event is set to be the biggest and most diverse yet.
At its heart is the exquisite royal venue and the line-up of around 60 extraordinary cars in the "Main Concours" but for 2018 there’s more to see and do than ever before.
Here are just a few of reasons every petrolhead should make their way Hampton Court Palace:
1 The finest cars in the world
Around 60 cars will gather in the event’s Main Concours, telling the story of the motor car from start to finish through only the rarest and most exquisite vehicles ever produced.
READ: The 530KW Ferrari 488 Pista makes its debut at the world-famous Concours d’Elegance
Starting with pioneers such as the Panhard et Levassor 11kW, the Concours travels through to rarities like the race-winning Aston Martin DB3S and gorgeous Bizzarrini GT Strada 5300 and finishes with recent performance icons like the McLaren F1 GTR ‘Long Tail’ and Mercedes CLK LM.
2 The new Future Classics feature
This all-new line-up is a showcase of the Concours stars of the future, crowned by the completely bespoke and unique Rolls-Royce Sweptail.
It’s the first fully in-house designed and fully coachbuilt Rolls-Royce in half a century, complete with a bespoke body and interior. The Sweptail is joined by the one-of-26 Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Speedster, McLaren Senna chassis number one and the one-of-seven Aston Martin V12 Vantage V600.
3 The world’s fastest four-doors in Harry’s Garage
Curated by the founder of the Harry’s Garage YouTube channel and Evo Magazine, Harry Metcalfe, this super saloon celebration includes only the fastest and most iconic four-door cars ever made.
Image: Newspress
Among them, you’ll find the 321km/h Jaguar XE SV Project 8, the 329km/h Aston Martin Rapide AMR, as well as past masters like the Lotus Carlton and the Mercedes AMG Hammer – the first car to ever hit 300km/h.
4 A collection of the finest Ferraris ever built
Visitors to the Concours of Elegance can see six of the most incredible Ferraris ever created, including the unique 166MM/ 212 Export ‘Uovo’.
Image: Newspress
This absolute one-off was designed as the ultimate sports racing car of its day, with a lightweight and aerodynamic design inspired by its designer’s aeronautical training. Joining the ‘Uovo’ is the last ever four-cylinder Ferrari built – the 500 TRC by Scaglietti – and a one-of-fourteen Ferrari 365 California Spyder.
5 The classics you could drive away in
Eight of the UK’s most prestigious classic and performance car specialists will be showcasing some of their latest and greatest stock at the Concours of Elegance.
Image: RM Sotheby's
So once you’ve had enough of browsing the cars in the Concours, you can pick one up of your very own. Exhibiting this year are Nicholas Mee, Fiskens, Duncan Hamilton ROFGO, Frank Dale & Stepsons, Thornley Kelham, Classic Motor Cars, Bell Classics and Tom Hartley.
6 The Aston Martin DB4 Celebration
The Concours of Elegance will this year host a celebration of 60 years since the iconic Aston Martin DB4 was introduced.
Assembled by the Aston Martin Owners Club, the line-up will include a DB4 prototype, an example of DB4 Series 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 plus an original DB4 GT, DB4 GT Zagato and DB4 Bertone Jet. The newly launched DB4 GT Continuation will also form part of the display.
7 The Club Trophy
The winners of some of the UK’s most prestigious Concours events, including that of the Lamborghini Owners’ Club, the Aston Martin Owners’ Club and the Bentley Drivers’ Club, will gather in Hampton Court Palace for the ‘best-of-the-best’ Club Trophy.
Image: Newspress
Run by the Royal Automobile Club and judged by a panel of experts led by HRH Prince Michael of Kent, the Club Trophy will go on to appear in the Main Concours event at Concours of Elegance in 2019.
8 Some of the finest timepieces in the world
This year's event will be hosting a display of some of the finest timepieces of A. Lange & Söhne. Only a few thousand watches are crafted each year, endowed exclusively with proprietary movements which are lavishly decorated and assembled by hand.
Image: Newspress
Shown to the public for the very first time at the Concours of Elegance is the A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Tourbillon, finished in platinum and limited to just 100 units.
9 Luxury Experiences
From the luxury three-course picnics offered by Tom’s Kitchen to the Champagne Taittinger bar and complimentary wet shaves from London’s oldest barber, Truefitt & Hill, the event offers a huge array of luxury experiences.
Image: Newspress
Guests can browse the incredible pieces on display from Augustine Jewels, art from Collier Dobson or fine scotch whisky from John Dewar & Sons.
10 Nearly a thousand incredible cars
Adding in the event’s Jaguar Trophy, Bentley Trophy, Octane Tour and Car Club displays, the event is expecting nearly 1 000 of the most incredible classic and performance cars to gather in the grounds of Hampton Court Palace over the three days of the event.
