Concours Of Elegance 2025

Once again the annual Concours of Elegance was held in the historic grounds of Hampton Court Palace in Surrey, an atmospheric venue situated on the banks of the river Thames. Held over the course of three days and presented by the luxury watchmaker, A. Lange & Söhne, over 15,000 visitors were able to enjoy a wide range of privately owned automobiles that spanned a century of motoring. These included period Rolls Royce’s, Hispano-Suiza’s to modern road and competition automobiles as well as several grand prix cars.

Concours Of Elegance 2025

HAMPTON COURT PALACE

Guests attending the 14th Concours of Elegance could stroll at leisure along the avenues of ancient yew trees that were once observed by Henry VIII and discover some of the finest automobiles sourced from around the world; the prize for the car that had travelled furthest for the event was awarded to a Ferrari 212 Inter Coupe styled by Pininfarina in 1961, that had been shipped via a circuitous from New Zealand by its owner Bruce Miles who was there to drive it to the rostrum accompanied by his wife. It proved to be a rare opportunity to see one of the most coveted prototype automobiles ever created, the Mercedes-Benz C111-II, built in the late 1960s as a test bed for the Wankel engine. The car, shipped from the Mercedes-Benz museum, was never put into production which many consider a lost opportunity. It now uses a petrol engine and when its guardian pulled into a petrol station, the car created huge interest and many wanted to know when it will be built, proof of its timeless appearance.

HC 6 1955 Mercedes Benz W 196 R and 1956 Maserati 250F HC 11 HC 18 1952 Ferrari 212 Inter Coupe Pininfarina

As with any Concours event, the most coveted prize is that of ‘Best in Show’ and this year it was awarded to a remarkable 1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom 1, titled ‘The Phantom of Love’. It is an automobile commissioned by a gentleman, regardless of cost, as an expression of undying love to his wife with the interior adorned with valuable tapestries, gilt decoration and porcelain vases, the entire Rococo interior being based on Marie Antoinette’s sedan chair. One of the world’s most famous Rolls-Royces, it remains today as it was when created almost a century ago and thus a worthy winner of the trophy.

HC 27 HC 19 1952 Ferrari 212 Inter Coupe Pininfarina presentation

The sheer number of remarkable automobiles can become a sensory overload but guests were able to relax whilst enjoying a glass of Charles Heidsiek champagne or purchase a picnic hamper from Fortnum & Mason. At the close of a long day, guests were treated to the ultimate aural experience when the 1988 Ferrari 639 Formula 1 car was fired up and run for several minutes in order to warm the engine. Although it had to remain static, its mechanic treated onlookers to a number of blasts on the throttle as the engine screamed towards it red line. The huge round of applause that followed when it was switched off illustrated how well received this demonstration was.

HC 17 HC 10 HC 28 Ferrari 639 F1 1988

Due to their popularity here are now a number of classic car and concours events held around the world but few, if any, have the relaxed and special atmosphere that can only be created within the grounds of Hampton Court Palace.

 

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