Date: 02 September, 2016
Location: Windsor Castle, Windsor, Berkshire SL4 1NJ
Windsor Castle will once again be awash with classic cars this autumn.
The fifth edition of the Concours of Elegance (September 2-4) promises a spectacular display in the historic royal building’s quadrangle, with more than 800 retro rides on show.
The jaw-dropping Hispano Suiza Dubonnet Xenia (1937) and Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Zagato will be among the superstars to feast your eyes on.
Saturday and Sunday (September 3-4) are the public days - Friday being owners’ day - for an event that has so far raised more than £600,000 for charity.
This year’s theme is 90th birthdays, with the Queen and the inaugural British Grand Prix both celebrating this significant milestone.
Classic concours and Grand Prix legends
Four of the original cars earmarked for the first-ever British Grand Prix (1926 at Brooklands, Surrey) will be gathered in the same place.
This is something that hasn’t happened since the actual epoch-making race track day itself.
The venerable quartet comprises the Delage 155B (which took first and third place), the Halford Special, Talbot 700 and Thomas Special.
Formula 1 aficionados may already know that the winners Louis Wagner and Robert Senechal (yes, two drivers were allowed then) took a fraction over four hours to win the race. That’s because the contest was held over a staggering 100 laps.
Concours organisers claim that every car invited to take part is already a winner. And that’s hardly surprising, when you consider some of the marques involved.
Lamborghini, Ferrari, Jaguar, Aston Martin and Bentley will all be battling it out.
Every competing car owner is being given the chance to vote for the rival they deem to be more elegant than the rest. The “Best in Show” winner will receive the coveted Concours of Elegance Pullman Trophy.
Don’t leave without…
• Seeing 10 of the best: A parade of the 10 vehicles considered the most pioneering during the Queen’s time on the throne. The stately Bentley 3-litre from the 1920s, the Mini, McLaren F1 and Land Rover Series I are all part of the classic cavalcade.
• Enjoying the Jags: Saturday sees the Jaguar Trophy for 90 of Britain’s greatest Jags
• Catching the Bentleys: Sunday sees the Bentley Trophy, when 90 supreme models do battle to become top dog
• Savouring the send-off: 60 of the world’s rarest cars bring the curtain down on the event in the grande depart
Tickets
Advanced adult tickets cost £40 and children £17.50
COMMENT