14 reasons to go to Concours of Elegance

Concours classics

Concours of Elegance returns to Hampton Court Palace on 1-3 September 2023. 

Across the weekend, almost 1000 classic cars will be on display in front of the Grade I-listed building. 

Among them, around 60 concours cars split into various categories will compete for the coveted Best in Show award, won last year by a 1938 Delage D8-120 ‘de Villars’.

From Grand Prix greats to a James Bond Aston Martin DB5, there’s plenty to see over the weekend, so here’s a handy preview – and don’t forget, as a Classic & Sports Car reader, there’s still time to make the most of our exclusive 2-for-1 ticket offer.

1. Le Mans winners

A group of Le Mans winners will be on display at Hampton Court Palace to celebrate 100 years of the 24-hour enduro.

Organised in collaboration with L’Automobile Club Ouest, the showcase will cover early pioneers through to a 21st-century prototype. 

In all, 10 cars to have triumphed at Le Mans will be on display, including the Bentley Speed Six ‘Old Number One’ that won in 1929 and ’30, the Gulf Oil-liveried Ford GT40 that claimed victory in 1968 and ’69, the Matra-Simca MS670 that finished on top in 1973 and ’74, plus the Bentley Speed 8 from 2003 (pictured above).

2. A bit of Bond

A gadget-laden Aston Martin DB5 is the star of a new British Rarities class at Concours of Elegance. 

Used to promote the James Bond film Thunderball, this Silver Birch DB5 is fitted with a retractable smoke screen and rotating numberplates.

It will be joined by a McLaren MP4/22A Formula One car that Lewis Hamilton raced to victory in the 2007 Canadian and United States Grands Prix, a 1956 Aston Martin DB3S/9 driven by Stirling Moss and a 1928 Bentley 4½ Litre that placed fourth in the 1929 24 Hours of Le Mans.

3. A special Trident

The arrival of this Frua-bodied Maserati A6GCS Spider at Hampton Court Palace will be a UK first. 

Chassis 2110 is one of two surviving examples and its upcoming British debut will also be its first public outing since 2010.

Commissioned by the official Maserati dealer for Rome and restored in the 2000s, this straight-six-engined Spider was awarded Best in Show at Villa d’Este in 2010, so it’s definitely worth keeping an eye out for.

4. Lots to offer

In all, 48 lots are crossing the block in Gooding & Company’s London sale at Concours of Elegance on 1 September, 42 of which are cars. 

And it is a diverse bunch, from a Land-Rover Series One with a guide price of £25-35,000 to a Ferrari 166MM/53 Spider (above) that’s expected to fetch anything up to £3m.

A 1993 Porsche 964 Carrera RS 3.8, a 1928 Bentley 4½ Litre Tourer and a 1962 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster are among the other classic cars on offer.

5. C&SC’s pre-1990 car park

If you’re planning on travelling to Concours of Elegance in your classic car, then why not book a spot in the Classic & Sports Car car park.

Open to pre-registered vehicles only on all three days, you can reserve a space for your pre-1990 classic by using our exclusive two-for-one ticket offer and entering the code ‘CSC23’ at the checkout, then going to the ‘Extras’ tab and selecting the free ‘Pre 1990 car parking’ option.

Located just over the road from the event, the C&SC car park doubles as a brilliant free car show – and keep a look out for cars you might recognise from the Our classics fleet in the magazine.

6. Young guns

Aimed at getting more young people involved in the world of classic cars, the Thirty Under 30 concours will return in 2023, on Sunday 3 September.

As the name suggests, it’s contested by 30 entrants aged 30 and under who own a classic car built between 1900 and 1999.

There’s also a bigger emphasis on the stories behind the cars, rather than their condition and originality.

Last year’s winner was a Ford Capri 2.8 injection (pictured above).

7. Ferrari legends

The Ferrari 250P that won Le Mans 60 years ago will lead the Landmark Ferraris class, as well as starring in the Legends of La Sarthe display.

In 1963, the Ferrari scored its first Le Mans win as the 250P (as pictured above).

Fitted with an uprated engine and rebadged 275P, it returned the following year and repeated its success.

Other significant Prancing Horses heading to Concours of Elegance include a Le Mans-raced 1964 Ferrari 250LM, a 250GT California Spyder, a 1963 250GT Berlinetta Lusso and a one-of-four 330GTC Speciale.

8. A unique American concept

Another car making its UK debut at September’s Concours of Elegance is this unique 1935 Hoffman X-8.

Created as part of an unsuccessful bid to take over the Hudson Motor Company in the 1930s, the X-8 was a secretive project – its current owner is still trying to piece together parts of its fascinating history.

It’s been shown at North American concours events including Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and the Concours d’Elegance of America.

9. Trailblazing women

Named after British racing driver and journalist Dorothy Levitt, the Levitt Concours returns in 2023 following its debut at last year’s event.

A 30-strong concours exclusively for classic cars with female owners, it takes place on 2 September and involves a driving tour from the Guards Polo Club, Windsor, to Hampton Court Palace, where the cars will be displayed and judged.

Last year’s trophy was awarded to a 1932 Alfa Romeo Tipo B P3 monoposto (pictured above).

10. Rarities from Switzerland

Owned by enthusiast Fritz Burkard, a selection of cars from the Switzerland-based Pearl Collection is coming to Concours of Elegance.

Included are two Bugattis, a one-of-six 1934 Type 59 Grand Prix and a 1935 Type 57 Stelvio.

There is also a Grand Prix-winning Alfa Romeo 8C-2300 Monza – this straight-eight-engined car was first registered to Scuderia Ferrari and won the Swedish Grand Prix in August 1933.

Also look out for a 1939 Maserati 4CL Monoposto prototype and a 1897 Prinetti & Stucchi tricycle.

11. Molsheim greats

A display of historic Bugattis will be another Concours of Elegance highlight.

Celebrating the legacy of the marque’s founder, Ettore Bugatti, the showcase will feature vehicles spanning the company’s history. 

A one-of-17 1936 T57S Atalante that was delivered new to British Racing Drivers’ Club co-founder Lord Howe is a highlight.

As is a 1994 EB110 GT (as above) that will also be on display – it’s fitted with the lightweight wheels and carbonfibre front bumper usually reserved for its track-inspired sibling, the EB110 Super Sport.

12. Record-breaking Abarth

Part of the Pearl Collection, the Pinin Farina-bodied La Principessa record-breaker is sure to stand out, even from the most rarefied concours cars.

This streamlined Abarth set multiple world records in period, many of them at the Monza circuit in Italy.

Powered by a humble 1000cc Colombo-designed engine, the slippery bodywork, honed in a wind tunnel in Turin, let it slice through the air and into the history books.

13. Car clubs

We love to shine the spotlight on the British car club community, and Concours of Elegance’s Club Trophy is a great opportunity to do so.

Presented by The Royal Automobile Club and supported by Classic & Sports Car, the Aston Martin Owners’ Club, Bentley Drivers’ Club, Jaguar Drivers’ Club and Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts’ Club are among those involved.

The winner will be invited to take part in next year’s main concours event.

A Ferrari 365GT4 2+2 (pictured) took the top prize in 2022.

14. Junior concours

Now in its fourth year, the Junior Concours has quickly established itself as a crowd favourite at Concours of Elegance. 

It’s a contest for three-quarter- and half-scale, handbuilt petrol-powered, electric and pedal cars of all ages.

Expect to see miniature interpretations of classic Bugattis, Jaguars, Ferraris and more.

The 2022 winner was an impressively detailed, small-scale recreation of a Ferrari 312 T2 Formula One car, nicknamed Ferrarina 77.

Find out more about Concours of Elegance 2023 and buy your tickets here – and get 2-for-1 when you enter our exclusive code ‘CSC23’ at the checkout.