Concours of Elegance 2017 will invite a number of rare and important Aston Martins to Hampton Court Palace in the upcoming September, following the history of the brand from the 1923 Aston Martin ‘Clover Leaf’ through to the DBR9/01 racer. There will likewise be a special Aston Martin V8 display of over 100 vehicles, consisting of an example of each V8-engined model produced by the British automaker.
The 1923 Aston Martin Clover Leaf shows up in the main concours event, achieving its place as one of the over sixty of the most incredible cars of the world. It is believed to be the second-oldest roadgoing production Aston Martin to be present, and has recently been treated to an extensive restoration all the way to the special three-seat layout it was original built with.
A 1933 Aston Martin Le Mans Short Chassis is also on display, one of only around 130 units built. Produced at a time when Aston Martin was relying heavily into the world of motorsport, this roadgoing variant of a Le Mans 24 Hours class winner has achieved credibility as one of the most thrilling pre-war sports cars ever made.
The more modern world of Aston Martin motorsport will likewise be displayed at Hampton Court Palace this September, with the DBR9/01. Developed to compete the dominant Chevrolet Corvettes on the GT racing circuit, it was a victory over the American cars on its very first outing at the Sebring 12 Hours back in 2005. Based loosely on the DB9 road car, the DBR9 includes a 6.0-litre naturally aspirated V12 engine, creating around 600bhp.
None of the Aston Martin display would be finished without examples of the legendary collaboration between Aston Martin and Italian design house Zagato. Maybe their most attractive creation, the DB4GT Zagato, will be showcased in the grounds of Hampton Court Palace.
This particular DB4GT Zagato, almost 50kg lighter, 12hp more powerful and with further aerodynamic shape than a standard DB4, was raced extensively in Australia, and with huge success. It’s also really rare, with just 19 DB4GT variants constructed.
Apart from the main concours event is a gathering of over 100 Aston Martins commemorating the brand’s V8-powered models. Starting with the 1969 Aston Martin V8 and running through to the newest V8 Vantage, there will be one example of every V8-engined Aston Martin ever made.
Concours of Elegance Director, James Brooks-Ward, states: “Aston Martin is one of the best-loved British brands worldwide, and I’m so happy to see its story told at Concours of Elegance this year. We have some of the rarest and most important Aston Martin models ever made in attendance this year, accounting just one small part of what will be the biggest and best Concours of Elegance we have ever hosted.”
A new central stage will be the focal point of the event, welcoming moving displays of vehicles across the weekend, with the various Aston Martins.
The event is going to take place in Hampton Court Palace from 1-3 September, with tickets beginning from just £25 and concessions from £17.50. Children below five and carers can enter without any cost. Members of the public likewise have the opportunity to attend on Friday 1st September, a day normally scheduled for the Owners of the main Concours cars.
