Bugatti Type 57 Atalante Gangloff
Many consider the Type 57 to be the pinnacle of Bugatti’s touring models. Revealed in 1934, it was the first car built under the direction of Jean Bugatti. He was also instrumental in the design of the new Type 57 engine, a 3.3-litre straight-eight producing 140bhp at a time when the equivalent Bentley figure was a ‘paltry’ 115bhp. The biggest selling point over and above the mechanical design, however, was the stunning body styling drawn up by Jean and in-house carpenter-wheelwright, Joseph Walter. The Ventoux two-door, Galibier four-door and Atalante Coupé were later joined by the Aravis Coupé and the open Stelvio, from renowned local coachbuilder Gangloff. This Type 57 Atalante, 57633, was ordered in February 1938 by wealthy French industrialist Fernand Crouzet. He asked Gangloff to create a one-off, and its unique features included long rear wings, a bootlid-mounted spare-wheel mount, single back window, special bumpers and disc wheels. The car survived World War Two unscathed via several changes of owner, and post-war it was refurbished and put to use as transport for the French Embassy in London.

Jaguar XK150 S Bertone
The Jaguar XK150 featured styling reminiscent of its XK120 and 140 predecessors, while featuring a far more contemporary late-1950s design. It originally came as a fixed-head coupé, a drophead coupé and a roadster, but in a few rare cases it got bespoke coachwork from famous design houses. This Jaguar, S 834365, is just one of three XK150s that were sent as bare chassis to Bertone in Turin, to be bodied as prototype fixed-head coupés. Each had slightly different styling by Franco Scaglione, who was responsible for arguably some of the most striking cars of the 20th century, from the Alfa Romeo B.A.T. cars to the Lamborghini 350GTV prototype and the Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 Stradale. The Bertones were reportedly built as prototypes for a possible XK150 replacement – a couple of years before the E-type would fill that space. Interestingly, the cars all had a delicate ‘XKE’ badge on their rear flanks. This XK150 Bertone is car no. 2, and its chassis was made on August 15, 1957 and dispatched to Italy the following month. It’s the only example known to still exist, with the other two cars having apparently been unseen for decades.

Bentley 4.5-Litre
Meet ‘Mr. Fred’, one of only two Bentley 4.5-Litre Drophead sports coupés still in existence with bodywork by Salmons & Sons, the legendary Newport Pagnell coachworks that was to become the home of Aston Martin. What’s more, this beautiful 1928 aluminium-bodied automobile was the personal car of company owner Mr Fred Salmons – giving rise to its affectionate name. Founded in Buckinghamshire in 1830 by Joseph Salmons, the coachworks progressed from creating high-quality horse-drawn coaches and dog carts to bodying some of the earliest and finest cars for all makes of automobile chassis from 1898 onward. Its bespoke workmanship was much coveted. This 4.5-Litre’s front wings are a wonderful example of the type of elegance and form in aluminium for which Salmons was known, while its distinctive mother of pearl instrument panel is a thing of delicate beauty.

 

CONCOURS OF ELEGANCE 2020

• Concours of Elegance 2020 will display the finest coachbuilt automotive masterpieces of all time
• Unique Bugatti Type 57 Atalante by Gangloff is joined by the only Jaguar XK150 by Bertone thought to remain on the road
• Hosted at Hampton Court Palace from 4-6 Sept 2020, the event is the first major global concours d’elegance event since March
• Entry to the socially-distanced event will be strictly limited with tickets only available to purchase in advance

The Concours of Elegance, presented by A. Lange & Söhne, will showcase the most astonishing coachbuilt automotive masterpieces in history, including a unique Bugatti Type 57 with coachwork by Gangloff. The one-off or ultra-rare motorcars are joined by Formula One racers throughout the ages, modern day hypercars, Le Mans 24 Hours winners and more at the UK’s finest concours d’elegance, hosted from 4-6 September at Hampton Court Palace.

Harking back to a time when the world’s most advanced and luxurious cars were delivered only as a rolling chassis to be bodied at a coachworks of your choice, the Concours of Elegance will celebrate this era’s most beautiful creations.

These cars will join others in the Main Concours display, curated as a line-up of the rarest and most spectacular cars ever built. Joining them are a selection of ‘Future Classics’, iconic Formula One cars and an all-new Junior Concours, showcasing the best of half-scale pedal, electric and petrol-powered classic cars.

New for Concours of Elegance 2020 is the addition of the auction of the year, courtesy of Gooding & Company. The Gooding & Co team will be showcasing 15 vehicles, expected to fetch around £50m altogether, crowned by the most important competition Bugatti in history, a Type 59 Sports.

The UK’s finest automotive manufacturers and specialists will also be displaying their vehicles, including a line-up of rare Porsche 356s from Export 56 and showcases from Joe Macari and Fiskens. Lotus, Jaguar Classic, Aston Martin and Brabham Automotive will each be showcasing their latest models.

Away from the automotive displays, Concours of Elegance visitors can enjoy picnics courtesy of Fortnum & Mason, champagne from Charles Heidsieck and luxury shopping from the likes of Niccolò P. and its bespoke polo shirts.

The Concours of Elegance 2020 takes place 4-6 September. With audience welfare in mind, the organisers have created a new operational plan including revised hospitality and restricted audience capacity, with the introduction of separate morning and afternoon tickets. Guest numbers will also be strictly limited to comply with social distancing guidance.

General information:
Iain Campbell, Thorough Events Ltd
Tel: 020 3142 8542

Tickets will only be available to purchase in advance and are on sale now from: https://www2.theticketfactory.com/london-concours/online

About the annual Concours of Elegance:
Established in 2012, the inaugural Concours of Elegance was held within Windsor Castle to mark the diamond jubilee of Her Majesty The Queen’s reign. Organised by Thorough Events, the first Concours of Elegance set a new global benchmark for a classic car concours; winning prestigious awards in the process; unheard of for a ‘start-up’ event in its first year. The second Concours of Elegance was held in 2013 to equal fanfare at the historic Royal Palace of St James in London, with the widely acclaimed third Concours set in the stunning grounds of Hampton Court Palace in September 2014, before heading to the Palace of Holyroodhouse in 2015. Only cars of the highest calibre are invited to the Concours of Elegance, from all over the world, painstakingly selected by the Concours Steering Committee; a respected team of authoritative historic car experts. A key objective of the annual Concours of Elegance is to raise significant sums for charity.
www.concoursofelegance.co.uk

Historic Royal Palaces
Hampton Court Palace is cared for by Historic Royal Palaces, the independent charity that also looks after the Tower of London, the Banqueting House, Kensington Palace, Kew Palace and Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland. We help everyone explore the story of how monarchs and people have shaped society, in some of the greatest palaces ever built. We raise all our own funds and depend on the support of our visitors, members, donors, sponsors and volunteers. With the exception of Hillsborough Castle, these palaces are owned by The Queen on behalf of the nation, and we manage them for the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. Registered charity number 1068852. For more information, visit www.hrp.org.uk