The Concours of Elegance has always had a unique appeal. Not only because of the wonderful grounds on which it takes place, but also because the entrants themselves decide the victor. This year, “Best in Show” went to a simply fantastic 1938 Delage D8-120 S ‘de Villars’, belonging to the Pearl Collection, who are also custodians of the gorgeous Talbot Lago C T150 SS Teardrop Coupé and Bugatti Type 59 we featured earlier in the year. While the front of this Delage is certainly breathtaking, we feel it is best viewed from the rear, if only to take in that stunning swept tail. It’s a car that truly embodies the drama and elegance of the Art Deco movement, with ample chrome, rivets, and swooping bodywork to steal the show from even a Ferrari 250 GTO.
Other Art Deco masterpieces that caught our eye include this amazing Hispano-Suiza H6B Dubonnet Xenia from the same year, which won “Best in Show” in 2016, and this virtually perfect 1949 Alfa Romeo 6C-2500 SS Touring Berlinetta to name a few.
However, it wasn’t just the old timers that had us stunned, as a whole host of automotive legends from the 1990s and early 2000s also graced the manicured grounds of Henry VIII’s old home. A beautiful dark green Porsche Carrera GTZ made a rare appearance, blowing-away and confusing attendees in equal parts with its subtle yet impactful differences compared to the standard car.
At any other show, the GTZ may have been the talk of the event, but the appearance of a Parabolica-liveried McLaren F1 GTR Longtail almost caused mass hysteria. The McLaren F1 already had some serious road presence, but this yellow Longtail brings new meaning to the phrase, requiring a short stroll to fully appreciate all of Gordon Murray’s many genius touches.
Another four-wheeled favourite of ours was this outrageously beautiful 1956 Maserati A6G Zagato belonging to Jonathan Segal. Boasting the effortless style and flowing coachwork one might expect from a top-tier Italian grand tourer, this Maserati had another ace up it’s sleeve. Inside the trunk, you’ll see a bottle of The Balvenie scotch whisky, alongside a quartet of cigars, providing onlookers with a masterclass in how to travel in style.
This year’s event also celebrated 75 years of Ferrari, marked with a lineup of thoroughbred prancing horses in front of the palace. Among them was the aforementioned Ferrari 250 GTO, wearing its stunning patina that we remember so well from The ICE, the magnificent 365P Berlinetta ‘tre posti’, and our favourite, a jaw-dropping 750 Monza.
Aside from the cars, the event’s biggest reveal came from our friends at A. Lange & Söhne, who unveiled their stunning one-off 1815 Chronograph “Hampton Court Edition”. The stunning timepiece will be auctioned off on the 6th of November by Phillips in association with Bacs & Russo at the Geneva Watch Auction XVI with the proceeds being donated to the Prince’s Trust.
While we are unfortunately unable to mention every spectacular automobile present at the 2022 Concours of Elegance, we hope that we’ve given you a taste of the amazing display put on last weekend at Hampton Court Palace. Once again, the Concours of Elegance has proven itself as a definite highlight on the automotive calendar.
Photos by Mikey Snelgar
