The London Concours 2023: Make green great again

It has taken me a while to get this post done, as life is busy, I have several videos to upload to out YouTube channel, but now I have got around to the review on the the recent and wonderful London Concours 2023, that was again held at the beautiful and historic Honourable Artillery Company estate in London. I attended on the 6th June which was the VIP, Press & owners day, and what a day.

You can see here our favourite pictures from the wonderful London Concours 2023. All of our photos are here on our Facebook Album here.

The Concours Classes in 2023 were:

Make green great again | Grand tourisme | Evolution of Aero | Golden-age coupes | Bespoke automotive | Built to race for the road | 60 years of Lamborghini | Wild cards

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I took videos as I walked around each concours class. Here I want to focus on the Make green great again concours class. You can see our video walk around the other classes by clicking on the links above or visiting our dedicated London Concours playlist on YouTube.

Here are the cars that featured in the Make green great again concours class.

2019 Ferrari 488 Pista

The ultimate road-going expression of the Ferrari 488, the Pista took aesthetic inspiration from the 488 GTE and 488 challenge racing cars. The biggest change came from the front end, which channels through ducts in the bumper before directing it through a large vent in the bonnet. This helps to create more downpours over the nose and very high speeds. Such measures, as well as the use of underbody and rear diffusers, means the Pista creates 20% more downforce than 488 GTB.  Meanwhile, for 3.9 litre twin-turbo V8 powerplant pushes out 710bhp at a screaming 8000rpm, in a car 91 kg lighter than the GTB.

This particular example is finished in Verde Francesca, an entirely new Ferrari colour named by the owner of this very car. This Pista also features bespoke carbon fibre wheels made by Ferrari.

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2022 Rolls-Royce Phantom VIII

Launched in 2017, the Phantom VIIl carries on a fine tradition of leading the range, thanks to opulent luxury and exquisite engineering.  Powered by a 6.75-litre-turbocharged V12, the Phantom is available in two wheelbase lengths based on an aluminium space frame chassis.

The Phantom is the first Rolls-Royce to be fitted with four-wheel steering, which turns the rear tyres counter to the fronts through a maximum of three degrees at speed’s lower than 37mph, to improve manoeuvrability.

At more than 50mph, the rear wheels turn in the same direction as the fronts through a maximum of one degree, to provide better high speed stability.

The Phantom on display is one of two that have been customised inside and out for the new Peninsula London hotel.

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1972 Alfa Romeo Giulia 1300 Ti

This Giulia 1300 Ti spent much of its life in Bergamo, Italy, before moving to the Netherlands. It was then fitted with a Twin Spark 2.0-litre engine from an Alfa 75 and used as a rally car.

It came to the UK three years ago, and was fitted with lightweight suspension parts, a fast road limited-slip diff and four-pot brakes by the Light Car Company. It also had its gearbox rebuilt.

Auto Audio London did a retrim in Italian leather and Alcantara, plus fitted a Morel stereo. Warren Heath Engineering’s motor rebuild with an Arrow crank, Omega pistons, lightweight flywheel and new cams means 220bhp is now produced.

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2009 Aston Martin DBS

The DBS superseded, the much loved Vanquish as the Aston Martin flagship in 2008, taking the famed, naturally aspirated 5.9-litre, V12 to 510bhp and 420lb ft, with inspiration from the thunderous DBR9, and DPRS9 GT racing cars of the time.

The competition machines also informed the DBS’s dramatic styling, and the use of carbon fibre on the bonnet, boots, front wings and door opening surrounds. The result is a car that can hit 62 mph in 4.3 seconds and 192 mph.

Is particular example features what is believed to be the unique specification of a Pentland green exterior over a Parliament green interior. It’s been in the care of the same owner for the past 12 years.

This car was classified as the concours winner by the judges.

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2005 Porsche Carrera GT Zagato

As a 707th Carrera GT to roll out of the factory gates, this Porsche was originally supplied new to the German market.

In 2019 it was sent by the current owner to Zagato in Italy, where it was converted into a GTZ, with a fitment of new panels and bespoke trim. Zagato projects are typically produced with OEM blessing; the conversion is respectful to homologation requirements, and as such the car remains mechanically standard. However, the conversion does result in a slight weight saving. Finally, the unique paint colour was mixed to complement the green interior leather.

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1953 Jaguar XK120

This XK120 is within 100 chassis numbers of the last roaster built in RHD. It was delivered, as a company car, to F Parham Ltd, in Gillingham, Kent in July 1953.

The car was the personal transport of boss, Leonard Francis Palmer, who, as a keen rally driver, also drove it competitively.

After this, the XK passed through three subsequent owners, before being acquired in January 1968, by a young engineer, Douglas Potter. He achieved some success in the emerging XK register racing series, but laid the car up for around 40 years.

It is now undergone a full chassis-off restoration to FIA specification.

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2019 Porsche 991 Speedster

The speedster has long been associated with a fond farewell to a 911 variant – and the 991 was no exception.

Porsche pulled out all the stops – the chassis and front end were taken from the GT3, while the bonnet and wings were from the R. The GT3 touring gave up its rear end, and you can lift the carbon fibre deck and fold down the fabric roof.

Engine-wise, it’s got the 4.0-litre flat-six from the GT3, with an extra 10bhp for a total of 503bhp.

This particular speedster it said to be one of just five or six UK-supplied paint to sample examples. Its hue, Brewster green, was originally a Bentley colour.

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2009 Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione

The Alpha 8C was like a bolt of lightning – 2003 concept, so beautiful that it enraptured the world, and its maker was pretty much forced to build it.

Designed under the direction of Wolfgang Egger, and constructed by Maserati, the 8C uses a 4.7-litre crossplane V8 similar to that of the GranTurismo, pumping out a heady 444bhp.

Although it says similarities with the Maseratis of the era, the 8C, shorter and lighter, making extensive use of carbonfibre. It has a transaxle, and places the engine far back under the bonnet to the mass centralised- the result is perfect 50/50 weight distribution. 

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1978 Jaguar XJC V12

This is XJC is owned by the founder of Evo and start of Harrys garage, Harry Metcalfe. The previous owner converted it to a five-speed manual.

Harry bought the Jaguar in 2014, and set about improving the performance and handling by fitting lower, stiffer springs, new dampers, and bushes, and a shorter diff to enhance acceleration through the gears.  

The car was thoroughly enjoyed before a two-year restoration was started in 2020.

It’s paint is bespoke to the car; it started out as Aston Martin Minotaur green, but Harry chose not to have the bronze ‘flip’ part included, so he asked a technician at Nicol (which provided the paint) to do a mix without the flip. 

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1935 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Sedanca de Ville

Presented by the Peninsula hotels, this Phantom two was subject to a seven year restoration by Thornley Kelham. It now has power assisted steering, upgraded electrics, and alternator, twin batteries, extra fans, and electronic ignition.

Front and rear air-con has been installed, as well as a modern entertainment system at a refrigerator and cocktail cabinet.

While the car has been modernised to deal with traffic and boost comfort, its original aesthetics have been maintained wherever possible. It’s at become part of the classic car experiences available when the Peninsula London hotel opens its doors.

This car was highly commended by the judges.

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For more London Concours 2023 news, views, photos, videos and reviews you can get more information here.

The London Concours was a thoroughly enjoyable show as it has been every year that I have attended.  It was also really good to award five of our readers, a pair of tickets each to attend the show, as they won a pair of tickets by entering our competition. Do make sure you are subscribed to our newsletter (click on the link below) and following us on social media (links below) so you don’t miss out on future competitions.

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