A unique gathering of projected future classics will line up at the 2018 Concours of Elegance at England’s Hampton Court Palace, including representatives from England’s most luxurious and exclusive carmakers.
Topping the list will be a unique 1-off bespoke Rolls-Royce Sweptail, which was introduced to the world last year at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este on the shore of Italy’s Lake Como. Its claim to fame is that it was the first Rolls-Royce designed and coachbuilt completely in-house since the 1960s. It is also one of the very few 2-seaters ever built by the company.
Among its features are “His & Hers” attaché cases housed in the B pillars, and deployable as needed. Also, the centre console chills a bottle of champagne and houses two fine-cut crystal flutes.
Joining the Sweptail will be the latest collaboration of Aston Martin and Zagato, the Vanquish Zagato Speedster — one of 28 to be built. The 6-decade partnership between the two companies have produced some of the most exquisitely-designed state-of-the-art cars the world has ever seen.
The roofless carbon fibre Speedster features the speed humps flowing back gradually from the back of the seat headrests. Not only are they a traditional cue for the speedster bodystyle, but they also add a different take on the signature Zagato double-bubble roof. Other cues include the Aston Martin Vulcan-inspired “Blade” tail lights and 3D Zagato Zs in the front grille and rear vent meshes.
Aston Martin will also be displaying the V12 Vantage V600 Coupe, which is meant as the send-off for the latest generation of Vantage. Only 14 cars are slated to be built — seven coupes and seven convertibles. As with the Zagato Speedster, the V600s have a carbon-fibre body and 592-hp 6.0-litre V-12.
The other British future classic on display will be the new McLaren Senna — #001, to be specific. The first of just 500 to be built at the McLaren Technical Centre in Woking, it is uniquely finished in McLaren Special Operation’s Aurora Blue and Anniversary White, taking the paint team more than 600 hours to complete the task.
The Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace goes Labour Day weekend.