Best of British coming to Concours of Elegance

Unsurprisingly, it’s needed some engine work, a lick of paint and an interior refresh, but this car, the final Silver Ghost built, remains remarkably original.

It will be joined by a unique Bentley 4¼-litre Brougham de Ville, which was displayed at the 1938 Earls Court Motor Show.

The six-cylinder ‘silent sports car’ was built especially for that event by coachbuilder James Young, with styling by designer AF McNeil.

This Rolls-Royce Wraith had some famous owners

Another Rolls-Royce – a Thrupp & Maberly-bodied Wraith – will be at Hampton Court Palace, too.

It was bought new by writer Robert Cedric Sherriff, who took delivery of the four-door convertible in 1939, and it was later owned by two other well-known Brits, composer Benjamin Britten and novelist Elleston Trevor.

A one-of-eight Aston Martin Speed Model Type C will be another star in 2024’s Best of British class.

Its aerodynamic bodywork cloaked the marque’s then-new 125bhp ‘four’. This car was among the final Speed Models to leave the Aston Martin works during WW2.

The Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato makes 314bhp (left); the GMA T.50 supercar

The second Aston Martin in the Best of British class is a rare DB4GT Zagato.

Designer Ercole Spada used aerodynamic bodywork, Perspex windows and aluminium panels to create this lightweight sports car, while engineers uprated the Aston Martin’s straight-six engine.

First shown at the 1960 Earls Court Motor Show, just 19 were built in period.

The newest car in the line-up will be a GMA T.50. 

Designer Gordon Murray’s three-seat, Cosworth V12-powered supercar is a modern-day interpretation of the McLaren F1.

Concours of Elegance returns to Hampton Court Palace from 30 August-1 September 2024

The Best of British concours class will join a group of 1950s competition cars, a rare 1956 Maserati A6G/54 Zagato Berlinetta, a one-off Porsche 911 turbo prototype and more at Concours of Elegance.

In total, more than 500 cars will gather at Hampton Court Palace from 30 August-1 September 2024.

And don’t forget, Classic & Sports Car readers can enjoy our exclusive ticket offer by using the code 24CSC at checkout, here.

Images: Concours of Elegance

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