The 13th Concours of Elegance returned to the splendour of the UK’s Hampton Court Palace, showcasing some of the world’s rarest and most exceptional vehicles from August 30 to September 1, 2024. Rivalled by concours such as Pebble Beach and Villa d’Este in prestige, the world-class line-up of exceptional motor cars attracted more than 14,000 visitors.
Best in Show was claimed by a 1937 Rolls-Royce Phantom III Convertible by Inskip. The car had previously won First in Class at the Rolls-Royce Owners Club meet at the Biltmore Estate in 2016, before taking Third in Class at Pebble Beach one year later. This particular example, 3CP18, boasts unique Inskip coachwork, and is one of only two Phantom III chassis fitted with a convertible-coupé body.
Hampton Court’s world-class line-up of exceptional motor cars attracted more than 14,000 visitors
Beyond the Best in Show winner, visitors enjoyed a diverse line-up spanning from Pre-1920s to Future Classics, showcasing vehicles from the pre-war era through the 1970s and beyond. Special classes featured pre-1940 coachbuilt cars from Britain, France and North America, as well as 1950s coupés and open sports cars.
The 1920s class was won by a 1927 Bentley 3 Litre Boat Tail Speed Model that features unique Martin Walter coachwork. This car had not been seen for more than 60 years prior to the event, and it also bagged Magneto’s own Art of Bespoke Award, which is presented to the one-off or low-volume car that best embodies the unique attributes and appeal of coachbuilt automobiles.
An achingly beautiful 1937 Talbot-Lago T150 C SS New York Teardrop Coupé from the Pearl Collection won the 1930s class, and was one of the favourites for the Best in Show prize. Meanwhile, a rare 1940 Aston Martin Speed Model Type C won the 1940s class, having recently emerged from a full restoration.
Two cars sporting resplendent Zagato coachwork – a 1956 Maserati A6G/54 and a 1960 Aston Martin DB4 GT – won the 1950s and 1960s classes respectively. The Maserati is one of 20 Zagato-bodied examples, while the Aston Martin is among only 19 period examples produced.
The 1970s class, meanwhile, was won by the 1974 BMW 3.0 CSL ‘Batmobile’ that was one of the 57 final special-order phase-two CSLs produced. Originally delivered to Bahrain, it finished ahead of a 1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona and a 1973 Porsche 911 Turbo ‘Prototype’. The Future Classics class was won by a 2023 Aston Martin DBR-22.
A 1937 Cord 812 Phaeton was one of the standout cars of the event, and it won the Pre-1940 American Coachbuilt Car class. This particular example, chassis 1501H, was owned by pioneering aviator Amelia Earhart, who famously vanished over the Pacific Ocean while attempting to become the first female pilot to circumnavigate the globe.
The Chairman’s Award was presented to a 1930 Bentley Speed Six Sports Coupé by Mulliner, while the Prince Michael of Kent Award went to a 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB that won Best of Show in the 2002 Concorso Italiano and achieved Ferrari Classiche certification in 2023.
A 1950 Jaguar XK120 won the Club Trophy, while a 1924 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost secured the Levitt Concours trophy for female collectors. The ThirtyUnder30 award, recognising competitors under 30 years old, was presented to a 1958 Austin-Healey Supercharged Sprite. The Austin-Healey was chosen by train enthusiast Francis Bourgeois and viral car designer The Kyza. The Jaguar and Bentley trophies were awarded to a 1950 Jaguar XK120 and a 1956 Bentley Continental S1 Fastback by Mulliner Park Ward respectively.
The selection of 60 cars were curated for the event by the Concours of Elegance Steering Committee, led by collector and racing car specialists Flavien and Vanessa Marçais.
Dates for the 2025 edition of the Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace are expected to be announced over the coming weeks. For more information, click here.
Concours of Elegance 2024 results:
Best in Show: 1937 Rolls-Royce Phantom III Convertible by Inskip
1920s: 1927 Bentley 3 Litre Boat Tail Speed Model
1930s: 1937 Talbot-Lago T150 C SS New York Teardrop
1940s: 1940 Aston Martin Speed Model Type C
1950s: 1956 Maserati A6G/54 Zagato
1960s: 1960 Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato Coupé
1970s: 1974 BMW 3.0 CSL ‘Batmobile’
Future Classics: 2023 Aston Martin DBR-22
Best Pre-1940 American Coachbuilt Car: 1937 Cord 812 Phaeton
Best Pre-1940 English Coachbuilt Car: 1938 Bentley 4¼ Litre Barouche de Ville by James Young
Best Pre-1940 French Coachbuilt Car: 1937 Talbot-Lago T150 C SS New York Teardrop
Best 1950s Coupé: 1956 Alfa Romeo 1900 C Zagato Coupé
Best 1950s Open Sports Car: 1953 Jaguar C-type
HRH Prince Michael of Kent Award: 1962 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta SWB
The Chairman’s Award: 1930 Bentley Speed Six Sports Coupé by HJ Mulliner
Gooding & Co. Award: 1939 Talbot-Lago T150C SS by Pourtout
The Club Trophy: 1950 Jaguar XK120
The Levitt Concours: 1924 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost
ThirtyUnder30: 1958 Austin-Healey Supercharged Sprite
Best Car Club Award: 1972 Lotus Europa JPS, 1980 Ford Escort Mk2 1.6GL
Bentley Trophy: 1956 Bentley S1 Continental Fastback by Mulliner Park Ward
Jaguar Trophy: 1950 Jaguar XK120
