The best at the British Motor Museum

What makes a concours popular? Is it the preparation? The recognition? The celebration of wheeling into the sunlight a project hidden in a workshop for months or even years of hard work and dedication?  

For Coffee & Chrome it’s not only about glasslike paint finishes or endless detailing. It’s the relationships we forge with the cars and motorcycles we love as we own and improve them. This is what we wanted to celebrate at our latest meet. Among the eclectic mix of classics at Gaydon this year – from trailered Lambretta moped to showroom-ready McLaren supercar – were hundreds fabulous stories that were more than just paint deep.  

Every Coffee & Chrome Collective attendee, who took the time to tell us a little bit more about their vehicle, was captured on film by our photographers and videographers so we could celebrate those classics on social media. Every story is being told across Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Plus – spoiler alert – even those who didn’t enter will be able to see their cars in the Welcome Gallery here.

But that doesn’t mean we won’t elevate the very best cars. We’ve chosen six of our favourite vehicles to share here, each with an accompanying video that you can find on our Instagram, Facebook and Twitter social media channels. What made them special? Each represents a different corner of the diverse selection of cars owned by the Coffee & Chrome Collective and each an interesting story of ownership. Think yours should be in the mix? Look out for our calendar of events for next year.

MG PA

What a delight this car was. Bought as a wreck for £20 in the 1960s and restored, mainly by the owner, over the 45 years that followed.

Ford Escort Harrier

No, not a Mk2 but a much later Mk5 special edition, snagged by the owner in 2012 as a potential classic. A true survivor.

Lotus Europa

The owner told us this was one of seven cars in the UK – and the former motor show display vehicle and press car. Provenance, then…

VW Camper

Achingly lovely patina to this bay window Camper. There is a look of purpose to the wear and tear, set off perfectly by matching coffee cups.

Porsche 911 Carrera

This car was registered in the first month of the 996 model release and is a one-owner vehicle. Brilliant modern classic specimen.

Jaguar E-Type S3 V12

Best story of the day? Probably. This car has been with its owner for 50 years and has won no less that 55 concours trophies…

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