A sun-kissed Celebration of Automotive Art at Hampton Court Palace
It’s one of my favourite events of the year, and the Concours of Elegance has firmly established itself as one of the most prestigious motoring events on the global calendar. This year’s edition at Hampton Court Palace was no exception. For three glorious days – Friday through Sunday – the palace grounds were transformed into a celebration of motoring excellence.
The British weather had threatened to play spoilsport, with heavy downpours in the days leading up to the show, but once the gates opened on Friday the clouds parted. Visitors were treated to an exquisite break in the gloom, and the event basked in dry, golden conditions that allowed the cars to shine as brightly as the September sun.
Set against the spectacular historic setting of Hampton Court, the Concours is about more than cars. It’s about atmosphere, people, and the quiet thrill of discovering something you’ve never seen before. It’s a rare opportunity to enjoy world-class automobiles in surroundings that elevate them from mere machines to rolling works of art.
This year’s line-up was as eclectic as it was extraordinary. Modern icons shared the lawns with pre-war legends, creating a timeline of automotive history that spanned more than a century.
I usually attend the first day (Friday), but purposely choose Saturday to witness a spectacular line-up of Lotus Esprits, celebrating 50 years of the movie-star supercar, delighted enthusiasts. From the last-of-the-line V8s to the rare Essex Special, the commemorative John Player Specials and the evocative Turbo HC, the Esprit display told the story of one of Britain’s most distinctive supercars.
There was even a faithful full-scale replica of the famous James Bond submarine car from The Spy Who Loved Me, a reminder of how the Esprit’s wedge-shaped silhouette became a true cultural icon.
But the beauty of the Concours of Elegance lies in its variety. Walking the gardens, visitors could encounter a Bugatti Type 57 Atalante gleaming in black and yellow – Ettore Bugatti’s own favoured colours – before turning a corner to discover the futuristic 1970s Mercedes-Benz C111, complete with gullwing doors and Wankel rotary engine.
French rarities like the Ligier JS2 and Italian-American exotics such as the Ghia L6.4 added further intrigue. As ever, the mix was designed not just to impress, but to surprise.
Among the standouts was a remarkable gathering of Formula 1 machinery — from the 2014 Mercedes W05 Hybrid, a dominant car in the hands of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, to Nigel Mansell’s 1988 Ferrari, the radical six-wheeled Tyrrell P34 of 1977, the 1970 March 701, the Maserati 250F often driven by Juan Manuel Fangio, and the majestic 1955 Mercedes W196 Silver Arrow. To see these cars together, just a few feet apart, was to witness the evolution of motorsport at its highest level.
The organisers reported a record-breaking opening day, with crowds flocking to the palace to admire the cars, meet their owners, and soak up the atmosphere.
The second day continued in the same vein, with awards ceremonies, special displays, and the sort of relaxed but refined ambience that makes this concours unique. For many, the conversations with passionate owners were as memorable as the cars themselves.
It is this blend of the familiar and the unexpected that makes the Concours of Elegance so special. Year after year, it delivers not only the great names of motoring history, but also the rare and the unusual. It is a gathering where stories are shared, friendships formed, and automotive heritage celebrated in style.
As the sun dipped over Hampton Court on Saturday evening, one thing was clear: the Concours of Elegance remains a jewel in the crown of the motoring calendar. Exquisite cars, wonderful people, and unforgettable moments – this is an event that continues to set the standard for concours d’elegance around the world.
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