1937 Rolls-Royce Phantom III convertible by Inskip wins ‘Best In Show’ at UK's Concours of Elegance 2024

London, UK – The Concours of Elegance closed its doors on September 1st, held over three days at Hampton Court Palace at west London. The 13^th edition of the annual event saw over 14,000 guests enjoy a display of exquisite privately owned road and competition motor cars – spanning over 100 years of automotive history – parked up in the palace gardens.

The Best in Show winner – uniquely chosen by the Concours car owners themselves – was a 1937 Rolls-Royce Phantom III convertible by Inskip. The Phantom III was the last large Rolls-Royce launched before World War II and marked the final car with significant input from Henry Royce. Out of 727 Phantom IIIs produced, only a few were made in the USA, including the victorious car, 3CP18, a unique convertible coupé designed by JS Inskip.

The imposing three and a half ton, 7.3-litre V12 powered machine was originally owned by philanthropist Colonel Joseph Samuels of Rhode Island, later sold to Dr. Hamilton Rice, a Harvard professor and explorer, and eventually passed through several notable owners, including Charles Melhinch and Pat Ryan. It was a worthy winner and looked glorious parked up in the Palace gardens yesterday afternoon, glinting in the late summer sunshine.

Elsewhere, there were class awards given for different automotive decades – again voted for by the owners of the cars themselves. The winners were as follows.

Decade Awards

1920s: 1927 Bentley 3 Litre Boat Tail Speed Model

The winner in the 1920s category was a superb example of Bentley’s first car, the 3 Litre – a groundbreaking engineering achievement that quickly established the brand’s reputation in the automotive world. Powered by a 3-litre four-cylinder engine with a single overhead camshaft, it produced 70bhp and featured advanced technology for its time. The car’s racing debut at the 1923 Le Mans 24 Hours, where it narrowly missed the podium, laid the foundation for Bentley’s long and successful association with the race. 1,600 units of the 3 Litre were produced until 1929, including chassis TN1564, which was first owned by Francis Ronald Lambert Mears in India. The triumphant machine was making its first appearance in public in over 60 years, following a painstaking three-year restoration process.

1930s: 1937 Talbot-Lago T150 C SS New York Teardrop

The winner in the hotly contested 1930s category was an exceptionally rare 1937 Talbot-Lago T150-C SS, the fourth chassis of this model, known for its striking ‘Teardrop’ or ‘Goutte d’Eau’ design by Parisian coachbuilder Figoni and Falaschi. This particular model, part of the ‘New York’ series, is unique as it was the only Teardrop built without a sunroof, featuring twin outward-opening windscreens for ventilation, a patented design by Joseph Figoni. Apart from its aesthetic appeal, this car was also a capable racer, achieving 11th place at the 1950 Grand Prix in Watkins Glen, driven by James Floria, and participating in other races like those at Wilmot Hills and Elkhart Lake. Over the years, it has been owned by notable collectors, including Tommy Lee, Brooks Stevens, and Bruce Lustmen, before joining The Pearl Collection in Switzerland.

1940s: 1940 Aston Martin Speed Model Type C

The winner in our 1940s category, the Speed Model Type C -one of just eight examples produced – was born from Aston Martin’s motor sport aspirations. So excited was the company at the potential of its new 2.0-litre engine that, with an eye on the Le Mans 24 Hours, it designed a new chassis specifically, featuring an advanced, dual-circuit braking system by Lockheed. Fitted with a high-lift overhead cam and twin carburettors, the dry-sump engine produced 125bhp in ‘Works’ trim. When matched to a completely new, close-ratio gearbox that allowed lightning-fast changes, it was the racer’s dream.

Its aerodynamic body – complete with flowing wings, and twin headlights set behind an oval radiator grille – meant the wind-cheating Type C was nearly 20mph faster than its open-wheeled stablemates down the straights. And if proof of such a heady combination were needed, the car came first in class in its inaugural race, at Donington. Competition regulations demanded the manufacture of a number of road-going versions of the Speed Model, which were produced in a variety of body styles – with the final eight cars built pre-war being the super-slippery Type Cs.

1950s: 1956 Maserati A6G/54 Zagato

Known for its elegant, lightweight aluminum body and distinctive “double-bubble” roof, the 1956 Maserati A6G/54 Zagato which won the 1950s category at Hampton Court, is only 20 cars produced made by Carrozzeria Zagato. The specific car, chassis number 2155, was initially owned by racer Luigi Fornasari and debuted at the 1956 Mille Miglia. Despite an accident during the race, the car was repaired and fitted with unique design features. Over the years, it changed hands and participated in various races and shows, undergoing restoration to its original form in 2000. This Maserati is a testament to the fusion of beauty and performance, capturing the spirit of post-war sports cars.

1960s: 1960 Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato Coupe

As if Aston Martin’s DB4GT wasn’t already beautiful, Italian styling house Zagato took it to another level – creating one of the most coveted classics of all, and the ‘holy grail’ for Aston Martin aficionados. Zagato designer Ercole Spada revised the DB4, making it smaller, sleeker and more aerodynamic, while also shedding more than 100lbs in weight. Various steel components were swapped for lightweight aluminium ones, the windows were replaced with Perspex versions, and anything deemed non-essential, such as the bumpers, was dispensed with.

Increasing the compression ratio on the Aston’s 3,670cc double-overhead-cam straight-six engine upped power to 314bhp. Thanks to Zagato’s efforts it could accelerate to 60mph from a standstill in just 6.1 seconds, and charge on to a top speed of 154mph. Only 19 of these wonderful cars were produced in period; they remain showstoppers.

1970s: 1974 BMW 3.0 CSL ‘Batmobile’

In 1971, BMW and Karmann collaborated to create a lightweight variant of the E9, inspired by the success of Alpina’s tuning efforts. They modified 169 CS models, stripping them of unnecessary weight by replacing steel parts with aluminum and Plexiglass, and removing features like sound insulation and electric windows, resulting in a very significant 200kg weight reduction. These cars, known as Ultra Lightweights, were raced by Alpina and Schnitzer, producing around 200bhp from a reworked 3003cc engine. This project laid the groundwork for BMW Motorsport GmbH’s development of the CSL, which, although not officially badged as an “M” car, is considered by many to be the first of its kind. The final iteration, the ‘Batmobile’ version, featured aggressive aerodynamics and was produced in limited numbers. One of these, originally delivered to Bahrain’s Royal Family, was found after decades in storage and meticulously restored to its original specifications, including its rare paint and bodywork.

Future Classics: 2023 Aston Martin DBR-22

The winner in our Future Classics category was one of the latest creations from Aston Martin’s Q Personalisation Programme, which offers customers highly bespoke and limited-run vehicles, pushing the boundaries of luxury and performance. Notable projects include the one-off Victor and the ultra-exclusive Vulcan and Vantage V600 models. The 2023 DBR-22 stands out with its blend of classic coachbuilding and modern technology, featuring a 3D-printed aluminum rear subframe to enhance stiffness without added weight. Designed by Marek Reichman’s team, the DBR-22’s body is inspired by the DBR1 and DB3S racers, featuring a sleek, aerodynamic design with customisable elements, including lightweight 21-inch wheels and unique motor sport-inspired details. Under the hood, a 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12 engine delivers 705bhp and 555lb ft of torque, propelling the car to a top speed of 198mph. Only 22 units were made,

Elsewhere at the event, the women-only Levitt Concours, celebrating female car enthusiasts and collectors, was a once again a great success. After a day of judging, led by Izzy Hammond, the trophy went to a wonderful 1924 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, while the Club Trophy, presented by the Royal Automobile Club – anointing the best car club car in the UK – went to an exceptional 1950 Jaguar XK120. The ‘Thirty Under 30’ concours – a concours for younger enthusiasts – was also a great hit, with an exceptional range of machinery on show – everything from a 1 of 11 alloy bodied RHD Ferrari 275 GTB to a Citroen 2CV. The winner – chosen by train enthusiast (and automotive expert) Francis Bourgeois and viral car design sensation, The Kyza – was a startlingly original 1958 Austin Healey Supercharged Sprite Rally Car.

Gooding & Company’s London auction, held alongside the main Concours in the Hampton Court Palace grounds on Friday, also generated significant interest. Lots from a wide range of eras were once again evocatively parked up in the Palace’s inner courtyards, for a unique auction experience.

Full List of Winners:

BEST IN SHOW:

1937 Rolls-Royce Phantom III Convertible by Inskip

WINNER 1920s

1^st 1927 Bentley 3 Litre Boat Tail Speed Model
2^nd 1928 Alta Supercharged Sports – Prototype
3^rd 1926 Bugatti Type 37

WINNER 1930s

1^st 1937 Talbot-Lago T150 C SS New York Teardrop
2^nd 1938 Bugatti Type 57C Cabriolet by Gangloff
3^rd 1931 Bentley 8 Litre Saloon by Freestone & Webb

WINNER 1940s

1^st 1940 Aston Martin Speed Model Type C
2^nd 1948 Jaguar Mk IV Drophead Coupe

WINNER 1950s

1^st 1956 Maserati A6G/54 Zagato
2^nd 1959 Ferrari Dino 196S Spider
3rd 1953 Jaguar C-Type

WINNER 1960s

1st 1960 Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato Coupe
2^nd 1961 Ferrari 250GT SWB Comp SEFAC ‘Hot Rod’
3^rd 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Speciale Aerodinamica

WINNER 1970s

1^st 1974 BMW 3.0 CSL ‘Batmobile’
2^nd 1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona
3^rd 1973 Porsche 911 Turbo ‘Prototype’

FUTURE CLASSICS

1st 2023 Aston Martin DBR-22
2^nd 2024 Gordon Murray Automotive T.50
3rd 2023 Ferrari SP-8

SPECIAL AWARDS:

Best pre 1940 American Coachbuilt Car:
1^st 1937 Cord 812 Phaeton
2^nd 1933 Chrysler CL Custom Imperial Dual Windshield Phaeton
3^rd 1935 Lincoln Model K Coupe by LeBaron

Best pre 1940 English Coachbuilt Car:
1^st 1938 Bentley 4¼ Litre Barouche de Ville by James Young
2^nd 1925 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Barrel Sided Tourer
3^rd 1939 Bentley 4¼ Litre MX Sedanca Coupe by Hooper

Best pre 1940 French Coachbuilt Car:
1^st 1937 Talbot-Lago T150 C SS New York Teardrop
2^nd 1939 Talbot-Lago T150C SS by Pourtout
3rd 1938 Bugatti Type 57C Cabriolet by Gangloff

Best 1950s Coupe:
1^st 1956 Alfa Romeo 1900 C Zagato Coupe
2^nd 1955 Bentley R-Type Continental
3^rd 1957 Talbot-Lago T14 America Coupe

Best 1950s Open Sports Car:
1^st 1953 Jaguar C-Type
2^nd 1959 Ferrari Dino 196S Spider
3rd 1954 Lagonda DP115/2

HRH Prince Michael of Kent Award :
1962 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta SWB

The Chairman’s Award :
1930 Bentley Speed Six Sports Coupe by HJ Mulliner

Gooding & Co Award :
1939 Talbot-Lago T150C SS by Pourtout

The Club Trophy, presented by the Royal Automobile Club:
1950 Jaguar XK120

The Levitt Concours:
1924 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost

Thirty Under 30:
1958 Austin Healey Supercharged Sprite

Best Car Club Award, presented by Classic & Sports Car:
Saturday – 1972 Lotus Europa JPS Edition
Sunday – 1980 Ford Escort MK2 1.6 GL

Bentley Trophy:
1956 Bentley S1 Continental Fastback by Mulliner Park Ward

Jaguar Trophy, presented by Jaguar Classic
Jaguar XK120

Learn more about the Concours of Elegance at www.concoursofelegance.co.uk.

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