14 reasons to not miss Concours of Elegance 2024

Classic car royalty

From one-off prototypes to a set of motorsport legends, there will be lots to see at Concours of Elegance which returns to Hampton Court Palace from 30 August-1 September 2024.

Hundreds of spectacular classic cars will gather in the Grade I-listed building’s Great Fountain Garden in west London across the weekend – and here’s what to expect at this year’s event. 

Plus, it’s not too late to make the most of Classic & Sports Car’s exclusive ticket offer. Enter the code 24CSC to save 20% when you checkout, here.

1. Classic car park

Speaking of our exclusive Concours of Elegance ticket offer, if you’re planning to drive to Hampton Court Palace in a pre-1990 classic car, you’ll be eligible to park in Classic & Sports Car’s pre-’90 car park, open on all three days.

Situated opposite Hampton Court Palace, it’s a chance to see some fantastic vehicles before even stepping foot in the event.

But, in order to park here, you must remember to claim your parking pass when buying your tickets using our ticket offer.

Click here for tickets, use the code 24CSC to get your discount, then, before checking out, go to ‘Extras’ and select your free pre-1990 car park pass. We will see you there.

2. Pioneering prototypes

A 60-strong line-up of concours cars will be vying for the coveted Concours of Elegance Best in Show trophy, which was awarded to a Frua-bodied Maserati A6GCS Spider at last year’s event.

Among the hopefuls at this year’s edition is a trio of unique prototypes. 

A one-off Porsche 911 turbo (above) that made its debut at the 1973 Frankfurt motor show will go up against a restored 1969 Land Rover Velar – predecessor to the Range Rover – and Vignale’s original proposal for the Maserati 3500GT Spyder.

3. Stunning Talbot-Lago

Fewer than 30 of these Talbot-Lago T150C SS Teardrop Coupés were built, and one of them will be at Concours of Elegance this summer.

Styled by Parisian coachbuilder Figoni et Falaschi, this elegant interpretation of the T150C competition car was apparently inspired by French artist Géo Ham.

The car heading to Hampton Court Palace is the only example without a sunroof.

4. Out and about

If you’re going to Concours of Elegance on Sunday 1 September, then why not join Classic & Sports Car’s relaxed, two-hour road trip from Beaverbrook in Surrey to Hampton Court Palace?

It’s open to classic and modern cars, and participants will enjoy breakfast at Beaverbrook’s Garden Restaurant plus a three-course lunch at the event.

What’s more, there will be a dedicated display in the Great Fountain Garden, where owners can park their cars alongside the concours entrants.

Sounds fun? Get involved here.

5. Lots more

From 3pm on Friday 30 August, more than 20 classic cars will go under the hammer in Gooding & Company’s sale at Concours of Elegance.

The catalogue includes a 1928 Lancia Lambda, expected to sell for upwards of £550,000, as well as a 1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider, which will be offered with no reserve.

Other highlights include a 1935 Bugatti Type 57 Atalante and a 1964 Aston Martin DB5 Convertible.

6. Prancing Horse rarity

A rare 1962 Ferrari 250GT SWB Speciale Aerodinamica will join the main concours.

One of only a handful built by Pininfarina, it was inspired by the Superfast II concept first shown at the 1960 Turin motor show.

Bright-blue switchgear stands out in the Prancing Horse’s tan-leather interior, and the bronze paintjob will make it difficult to miss at Hampton Court Palace.

7. Fuelling the next generation

Concours events are about celebrating people as well as the classic cars they bring.

That sentiment rings true in the Thirty Under 30 category, which invites young owners to display their pride and joy.

As the name suggests, it’s contested by 30 classic-car-owning entrants aged 30 and under.

There’s less emphasis on condition and originality compared with the main concours, so a much-loved, high-mileage ’80s estate might have the edge over a restored-to-perfection Bentley.

Last year’s winner was a 1981 Porsche 924 (above).

8. Siata star

A one-of-nine Siata 208 CS will be another one of the eye-catching classics on show. 

Chassis CS 071 is one of seven surviving Balbo-styled coupés. 

The aluminium-bodied, Fiat V8-engined sports car raced in the 1953 100-mile Floyd Bennett Grand Prize Cup in New York.

It was restored after a crash in 2017 and it won Best in Class at the 2018 Amelia Island concours.

9. Mille Miglia Maserati

If you’re going to Concours of Elegance, make sure to check out this Maserati A6G/54 Zagato Berlinetta.

It started the 1956 Mille Miglia, but crashed in Ravenna.

The one-of-20 Maserati’s Zagato bodywork was badly damaged, so it was sent back to the Italian coachbuilder for repairs.

At the workshop, it was updated with some unique features, including a reworked radiator opening and new headlights.

10. Trailblazing women

The Levitt Concours was created to celebrate women and their contribution to the classic car community.

It’s named after racing driver and journalist Dorothy Levitt, who was also a land- and water-speed record holder.

A group of 20 classics owned by women will be on display at Hampton Court Palace on Saturday 31 August.

In 2023, the Levitt Concours winner was a 1955 Frazer Nash Le Mans Coupé (above).

11. Racing legends

A set of 1950s sports racers will surely draw a crowd in the Great Fountain Garden.

The line-up includes a 1956 Jaguar D-type (above), a pair of Lagonda V12 DP115s, two Ferraris and a Le Mans-winning Jaguar C-type.

With Tony Rolt and Duncan Hamilton behind the wheel, the C-type triumphed at the 24-hour enduro in 1953.

12. Best of British

A 99-year-old Rolls-Royce, an Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato, a coachbuilt Bentley 4¼-litre and more will celebrate British design and engineering at Concours of Elegance 2024.

The 1925 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost has never been restored, despite having covered 130,000 miles.

As well as some other British classic cars, it will be joined by Gordon Murray’s modern-day interpretation of the McLaren F1 supercar.

13. Club together

The Club Trophy is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the British car club community.

Some of the UK’s biggest classic clubs are involved in the showcase, which welcomes 40 vehicles to Concours of Elegance.

Presented by The Royal Automobile Club and supported by Classic & Sports Car, the winner of the Club Trophy gets an invitation to the main concours in 2025.

Look out for the 1968 Aston Martin DBS (above) that won the award last year.

14. Cobra bites back

In the 1960s, this rare AC Cobra 427 Competition competed at the Nürburgring, Spa and at the Targa Florio in Sicily – plus a race-winning appearance at Silverstone.

Once it retired from motorsport, it went to the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu for 35 years.

But since 2022, its current owner has commissioned a thorough restoration and it’s now ready to take on some of the best classic cars vying for glory at Concours of Elegance.

The fast-approaching event returns on 30 August-1 September 2024 – get your exclusive, discounted tickets with our 24CSC code here, and remember to claim your pre-1990 car park pass, too.