The London Concours took place in glorious sunshine this week, welcoming thousands of petrolheads to the Honourable Artillery Company’s five-acre green as an incredible and diverse collection of vehicles were exhibited for all the enjoy.

There was much anticipation and excitement after previous announcements indicated some of the cars which would be in attendance. Around 80 cars were displayed in total, competing across eleven classes including, ‘Evolution of Aero’, ‘Golden Age Coupes’, ‘Make Green Great Again’, ‘Bespoke Automotive’ and ‘Built to Race, For the Road’. As well as awarding overall winners, the judges, led by members of the London Concours Steering Committee, also awarded a winner of each class.

There can be no doubt that the pick of the bunch was the ultra-rare Schuppan 962CR P1, which won ‘Best in Show’, having impressed the expert committee of judges. This example, a prototype and development car, was based on a racing machine that had competed at Le Mans in 1990 after endurance racing captured the hearts of motorsports enthusiasts around the world in the 1980s. The car was brought to the UK to be refurbished after spending many years in France under private ownership.

A new feature this year came in the form of the Chairman’s Award, an award based on the car that the Chairman of the Judges, Peter Read, would most like to drive home himself. The award went to a Jensen CV8 MkIII, which was originally registered in the UK way back in 1966. It lived an eclectic life, finding its way to the Netherlands and spending 13 years in a barn before being bought in 2015. An extensive and comprehensive four-year restoration helped bring the car back to life thanks to the help of a network of Jensen owners.

A winner close to my heart was the Lamborghini Miura, which won the ’60 Years of Lamborghini’ award. The car was, of course, featured in the opening scene of The Italian Job, being driven through the Italian Alps and soundtracked by Matt Monro’s ‘One Days Like These’. It is one of my favourite films and that scene in particular must surely be one of the coolest scenes in film history.

Elsewhere, former Driven Chat Podcast guest Richard Porter was also in attendance with Jonny Smith, hosting a live show format of their popular podcast Smith and Sniff in front of a packed crowd.

Selected Winners

Best in Show – Schuppan 962CR P1

Chairman’s Award – Jensen CV8 MkIII

Evolution of Aero – Schuppan 962CR P1
Highly Commended – McLaren P1

Built to Race, For the Road – Subaru Impreza WRC S12C
Highly Commended – Ford Sierra RS Cosworth

Bespoke Automotive – Austin-Healet WSM
Highly Commended – Metra Beach Buggy by Bertone

Grand Tourisme – Facel Vega Facel II
Highly Commended – Renault 5 Turbo 1

Make Green Great Again – Aston Martin DBS
Highly Commended – Rolls-Royce Phantom II

Golden Age Coupés – Jensen C8 MkIII
Highly Commended – Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing

Wildcards, Sponsored by Concours of Elegance – Lancia Fulvia Zagato
Highly Commended – Leyat Helica

60 Years of Lamborghini – Lamborghini Miura
Highly Commended – Lamborghini Islero S

Words: Mike Booth
Pictures: London Concours