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A line-up of the most exclusive, limited-edition luxury and performance cars from recent history will star in the Concours of Elegance ‘Future Classics’ class
The one-of-50 700hp RUF CTR is joined by a one-of-24 Aston Martin Vulcan and bespoke Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé in astonishing line-up of rarities
The Bentley Mulsanne W.O. Edition, limited to 100 units, will appear in celebration of Bentley’s Centenary Year, featuring a piece of W.O Bentley’s very own car
Concours of Elegance takes place across 6-8th September, gathering a collection of the rarest cars in the world, from 1904 through to 2019
Tickets are available from www.concoursofelegance.co.uk/tickets from just £40
The Concours of Elegance is a display of only the rarest and most astonishing cars ever created. But the event always poses the question: “What are the Concours cars of tomorrow?”. The Future Classics class looks to provide the answer with a gathering of the latest, most exclusive limited-edition luxury and performance cars; the models that will one day become the most sought-after additions to a car collection.
The RUF CTR is perhaps the perfect example; steeped in heritage, hand crafted, exceedingly fast and incredibly rare. This 700bhp model is built on a totally bespoke aluminium platform, clothed in lightweight carbon fibre body panels. With a weight of just over 1100kg, it’s the successor to the legendary RUF CTR ‘Yellowbird’; a Porsche 911-based model that has hypnotised motoring enthusiasts with its famous filmed ‘Faszination’ lap of the Nürburgring. On its release, the ‘Yellowbird’ was the fastest car in the world, but the new CTR is faster still, with a top speed of 224mph. ‘Yellowbird’ itself will also be on display at Hampton Court Palace as part of the Main Concours line-up.
Joining the RUF is a limited edition Bentley model, built in 2019 to celebrate the brand’s Centenary. The Mulsanne ‘W.O. Edition’ pays homage to Bentley’s founder, inspired by his very own 8 Litre, and even including a part of that car’s original crankshaft, proudly displayed between the two rear seats. The crankshaft is set within a veneered surface, with a handcrafted vision of W.O Bentley’s 8 Litre, completed in an art deco style during a painstaking process of more than 8 days. Elsewhere, the Centenary Mulsanne is marked out by its use of heritage hides of leather, W.O. Bentley signatures throughout and a number of 8 Litre-inspired styling touches.
The Bentley is joined by another British rarity; the Aston Martin Vulcan. This track-only two-seater was limited to just 24 units globally, powered by a 7.0-litre V12 engine producing 820bhp in its most powerful tune. Using Formula One-style pushrod suspension, adjustable dampers, adjustable anti-roll bars and variable traction control, this lightweight Aston Martin is the ultimate trackday car. And from trackday car to out-and-out racing car, the Ginetta G60-LT-P1 will also be in the Future Classics line-up, featuring a full carbon fibre monocoque chassis and body, seven-speed racing gearbox by XTrac and a 3.4-litre turbocharged engine.
Almost at the other end of the automotive scale is the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé. Beautifully handcrafted, this particular example was the last ever Drophead Coupé off the line at the Rolls-Royce facility in Goodwood, constructed with a painstaking attention-to-detail over more than 800 hours.
Andrew Evans, Concours of Elegance Director, said: “There’s no doubt that the Concours of Elegance celebrates motoring heritage; after all, it’s often the stories behind some of these rare cars that makes them so special. But the stories being written in the modern automotive world deserve to be told, too, which is why we wanted to showcase this range of ‘Future Classics’. Each is a celebration of bespoke craftsmanship, performance and luxury; they’re the automotive rarities that you’d be astonished to see on a concours lawn 50 years from now.”
‘Future Classics’ is just one of four superlative features at this year’s Concours of Elegance, which also includes a world-first Aston Martin Zagato display, featuring one of every model produced by one of motoring’s most legendary partnerships. Visitors will also be able to see a 70th anniversary display of five Ferrari 166MM models, including the 1949 Le Mans and Mille Miglia-winning car, which is informally known as the most significant Ferrari in the world.
The Concours of Elegance is built around its main display of around 60 of the rarest cars ever created, from 1904 right up to 2019. This once-in-a-lifetime collection of vehicles this year includes the Ballot 3/8 LC that won the very first Italian Grand Prix, and the 2018 McLaren P1 GTR ‘Beco’, featuring an Ayrton Senna-inspired livery and even a steering wheel made from the same material as Senna’s MP4/4 Formula One car.
Adult tickets for this year’s Concours of Elegance start from £40, with children under five and carers entering free of charge. For the first time, visitors can also book into an on-site ‘Tom’s Kitchen’ restaurant by celebrated chef, Tom Aikens for a full three-course lunch. Alternatively, Tom’s Kitchen provides less formal deli grab and go options or a three-course picnic.
Visitors are also able to purchase bespoke hospitality packages, including VIP parking, three-course lunch in the Owners’ Enclosure, drinks reception and cream tea. To buy tickets head to: http://www.concoursofelegance.co.uk/tickets
About the annual Concours of Elegance:
Established in 2012, the inaugural Concours of Elegance was held within Windsor Castle to mark the diamond jubilee of Her Majesty The Queen’s reign. Organised by Thorough Events, the first Concours of Elegance set a new global benchmark for a classic car concours; winning prestigious awards in the process; unheard of for a ‘start-up’ event in its first year. The second Concours of Elegance was held in 2013 to equal fanfare at the historic Royal Palace of St James in London, with the widely acclaimed third Concours set in the stunning grounds of Hampton Court Palace in September 2014, before heading to the Palace of Holyroodhouse in 2015. Only cars of the highest calibre are invited to the Concours of Elegance, from all over the world, painstakingly selected by the Concours Steering Committee; a respected team of authoritative historic car experts. A key objective of the annual Concours of Elegance is to raise significant sums for charity. In 2017, Concours of Elegance signed an agreement with Historic Royal Palaces to hold the event at Hampton Court Palace until 2021.
Historic Royal Palaces
Hampton Court Palace is cared for by Historic Royal Palaces, the independent charity that also looks after the Tower of London, the Banqueting House, Kensington Palace, Kew Palace and Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland. We help everyone explore the story of how monarchs and people have shaped society, in some of the greatest palaces ever built. We raise all our own funds and depend on the support of our visitors, members, donors, sponsors and volunteers. With the exception of Hillsborough Castle, these palaces are owned by The Queen on behalf of the nation, and we manage them for the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. Registered charity number 1068852. For more information, visit www.hrp.org.uk.
OLLECTOR CARS OF TOMORROW STAR IN ‘FUTURE CLASSICS’ AT CONCOURS OF ELEGANCE
