Slowly but surely the world is opening up events again. The Concours of Elegance 2021 at Hampton Court Palace, thankfully being one of them. This year it would celebrate some iconic racing liveries. The blue and orange of Gulf Racing alongside my personal favourite, Martini Racing.
Coming from a rallying family, my personal favourite car of the Concours of Elegance 2021 was this beauty. The incredibly powerful Lancia 037 Group B rally car. The Group B era of rallying saw these flame spitting beasts with in excess of 300bhp doing battle in the World Rally Championship. Try to imagine this car being both supercharged and turbo charged in the hands of works drivers like Markku Alen in ‘maximum attack’ mode. They were capable of 0 to 100 & back to 0mph in little over 6 seconds…. ON GRAVEL!!!
Back on the track, these endurance racing Lancias would have been spectacular. They created a lot of attention at the show too.
They caused a few of the motoring journalists to be a little shaken and stirred. So much so that they (and one of my images) was the headline of the feature in the November issue of Classic Cars magazine.
Away from the Martini…
If I wasn’t allowed to choose a modern car as my favourite, then this year my award went to this lovely Alfa. The 1932 Alfa Romeo P3 Tipo B with it’s wonderful aged paintwork and gnarly bonnet strap.
Hampton Court is a perfect setting to show off these beautiful cars…old or new! The gravel paths leading down to Fountain Pond are perfect. To sit and enjoy the view with a cold glass or 2 and create memories to look back on.
As the world returns to ‘normal’ whatever that may be. More of the worlds most stunning cars along with their owners will be able to travel again. Can’t wait to see what will be on show at this event next year. See you again in 2022
