Coachlines - October 2020

04.10.20 Liveryman Christopher Tate

Sunny September days at Hampton Court Concours


Pictured above from left: Liveryman Hugh Conway, Liveryman John Worth, Master Sarah Jane Adams-Diffey, Liveryman Simon Diffey, Liveryman Roger Woodbridge, Gary Axon, motoring journalist & motorsport Press and PR Manager at Goodwood, Angela Hucke, Bugatti racer & Curator of the Bugatti Trust

Following the successful first Coachmakers’ participation in 2019, there was always a plan for your Livery Committee to arrange to repeat the classic motor tour of Bucks & Berks before joining the wonderful classic and modern supercar displays at Hampton Court Palace in early September 2020.

Despite the best efforts of all concerned, working with our friends at Thorough Events, which had also managed to create and build, despite C-19 difficulties, our excellent HAC Summer Concours in the City, it was not possible to run the pre-Hampton Court Coachmakers Classic Rally this year.

Prince Michael and his open Bentley

Prince Michael and his open Bentley

What was remarkable was that the same well-connected and ever-efficient organisers offered Coachmakers a special deal to attend, so many of us joined the style and elegance of this globally-recognised Concours in the grounds of the magnificent royal palace by the Thames, over the weekend of 4th-6th September – and all enjoyed some wonderful sights and sounds.

The obvious travel and logistical difficulties for overseas collectors and their cars required some sharp rethinking, but the remarkable strength of the UK modern supercar and classic car worlds – collectors, restorers, dealers, race teams, manufacturers, suppliers – gave the stylishly-dressed crowds plenty to admire and drool over for three whole clement days.

The overall Concours winner, Porsche 917K

The overall Concours winner, Porsche 917K

The Porsche 917K, Le Mans winner in 1970, was a worthy winner of Best in Show, joined by a special line up of winning Formula One designs through history, from front engined, narrow-tyred brutes to the elegant 1968 Ferrari, to the aerodynamic, be-winged behemoths of the 2010s. We also saw the launch of the new Brabham supercar, yours for £960,000, and the Lotus all-electric Evija – at a slightly higher price; Coachmakers formed an orderly queue. The 15 cars-only auction saw a very rare 1930s’ Bugatti sell for more than £9 million – and Prince Michael of Kent presided over it all as honorary President, and drove back to Kensington in an open 1930s’ Bentley.

Launch of the Brabham BT62 supercar

Launch of the Brabham BT62 supercar

For all Coachmaker attendees, a special highlight was seeing the Immediate Past Master Richard Charlesworth in action on the main stage microphone. After his sadly-disrupted year as our Master, it was excellent timing on Richard’s first weekend out of office, for us to be reminded by seeing him talking on his favourite topics, keeping the busy crowds entertained with his deep and extensive knowledge of all things automobile – and of course, of high-quality coachmaking.