London Concours 2024: 10 wonderful cars that got us salivating

The London Concours is an automotive garden party in the heart of the city. It gathers together nearly 100 motoring icons, old and new, in one of London’s most beautiful historic hidden venues. Meanwhile, the cars sit at the apex of an event brimming with fine champagne and world-class gastronomy, which is enjoyed with a live music soundtrack and surrounded by pop-up boutiques from sought-after luxury brands. Moreover, held across three days, the London Concours opens up the world of top-end craftsmanship in automotive and beyond. It holds live panel discussions, awards ceremonies and roving comperes, shining a spotlight on the passion and the heritage of the brands and vehicles on display.

All manner of exotic machinery were assembled on the immaculate lawns of the Honourable Artillery Company. Everything from legends of the racetrack to coveted collector classics, outlandish modern hypercars, and everything in between. The eighth edition of the London Concours – the capital’s ultimate automotive summer garden party ran from Tuesday 4th to Thursday 6th June.

With over 100 exquisite cars on show, it is always difficult to whittle these down to just 10, but that I have done. Here are the 10 spectacular cars that got us salivating. See what you think.

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1964 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso

Designed to bridge the gap between the sporty 250 GT SWB and the luxury-focused 250 GTE 2+2, the 250 GT Lusso turned out to be the last of the famous ‘250’ line. A 240bhp 3.0-litre Colombo V12 gave 150mph and a sub-8.0-second 0-60mph sprint. The valves and crank were sourced from the 250 GT, while the pistons and block came from the 250 GTE. The Lusso element meant the car offered hitherto-unknown levels of space compared with its sportier sisters. And if the fixed-position seatbacks gave taller occupants a challenge, the driver could at least adjust the pedals by up to 5cm. They also got a three-spoke wood and aluminium Nardi steering wheel.

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1967 Lamborghini Miura P400

Chassis 3198 was the UK’s first right-hand-drive Miura, from a total of 26 made. Production number 110,
it was the October 1967 London Motor Show car, presented in Royal Blue with off-white leather trim. Travel agent Thomas Cook saw the car, loved it and ordered one in Rosso Miura with black leather trim. He was flown to Milan at the expense of the Lamborghini UK importer, and he drove the car back to the UK. He was apparently unaware that this was in fact the very same Earls Court show car that he had first seen, and that the factory had prepared it to his spec. The Miura has been maintained by numerous specialists, including Colin Clarke, who worked on it from 2005-12. A full restoration was undertaken in 2018 by SJB Classic Cars. The Miura’s fifth owner purchased it in May 2022.

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2014 McLaren P1 HDK MSO

McLaren’s P1 was already a phenomenal hypercar, capable of 0-60mph in 2.8 seconds, and twice that in 6.8 seconds, before hitting a top speed of 217mph. This particular car was different, benefiting from two acronyms steeped in McLaren lore. MSO stands for McLaren Special Operations, which can tailor your car to whatever spec you wish. HDK refers to High Downforce Kit, following the HDK variants of the McLaren F1, which offered more performance and looks emulating those of the GTR race cars. Each P1 HDK was a Lanzante bespoke build, offering upgrades such as revised rear bodywork, upgraded suspension and a spectacular power increase: the Cosworth-tuned twin-turbo V8 displaced 4.0 litres and had just under 1000bhp. The refinements continued with a bespoke interior.

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2023 Ferrari Daytona SP3

A worthy winner of hypercar concours class.

The Daytona SP3 marked a stunning return to the naturally aspirated, mid- mounted V12 layout that had not been seen from Maranello since the 2002 Enzo. The 6.5-litre V12 was sourced from the 812 Superfast, which here made 829bhp and 514lb ft. The result was 211mph, 0-62mph in 2.85 seconds and 124mph in 7.4. The design, produced under Flavio Manzoni at the Ferrari Styling Centre, was inspired by the 330 P4 that was victorious at the 1967 Daytona 24 Hours. Further historical inspiration came from the wraparound screen, which referenced the P3/4, while the double-crested wings were reminiscent of the 512 S, 712 Can-Am and 312 P. However, there were no active aerodynamics. Inside the cabin, while the two-piece seats weren’t adjustable, the pedal box could be moved.

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2004 Ferrari Enzo

Any Ferrari to bear the name of the company’s illustrious founder had to be special, and the Enzo was certainly that – it represented the peak of what was then possible at Maranello. The 651bhp Tipo F140 V12 was a clean-sheet design, packing in four overhead camshafts in each cylinder bank, four valves per cylinder and a 6.0-litre displacement. The Enzo would be Ferrari’s last naturally aspirated mid-engined V12 for nearly two decades. It was also a triumph of aerodynamics – whereas the F40 and F50 had huge rear wings to stay planted at high speed, the Enzo used a novel rear diffuser and a flat underbody. Only at very high speeds did a spoiler pop up to keep the car glued to the road. Furthermore, this seriously fast model could crack 0-62mph in 3.65 seconds and 220mph-plus.

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2021 Ford GT

Built with the aim of crafting a cutting-edge Le Mans car, the GT broke cover to mark 50 years since the GT40 won at La Sarthe. With a teardrop profile similar to that of LMP1 cars, the GT was an aerodynamic tour de force. Although a V8 or V12 was considered, the 3.5-litre twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 got the nod. It was certainly powerful enough, with 647bhp-700bhp depending on spec. This was mated to a seven-speed Getrag dual-clutch gearbox.The body consisted of a carbon fibre monocoque, aluminium subframes and carbon fibre panels. A pushrod suspension system allowed more space for aerodynamics. An active rear spoiler adapted to different driving situations and downforce requirements. Actually, all out, you’d be doing 218mph, having hit 60mph in three seconds.

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Ferrari F50 – winner or V12 class

Formula 1 engines in road cars are now very much the ‘in thing’, thanks to the new AMG hypercar, but Ferrari got there first nearly three decades ago with the thunderous F50. At its heart is a 4.7-litre V12 developed from the 3.5 used in the Scuderia’s 1990 641 F1 car, and adapted for the 1994 333 SP IMSA car. It produces 512bhp at 8000rpm, while 347lb ft thuds in at 6500rpm. The carbonfibre tub means the F50 is a relatively light 1230kg. This all adds to reality-warping performance, with 60mph flicking by in 3.8 seconds, 100mph in 8.5 seconds and a claimed 202mph. Only 349 were built, of which 302 were finished in this Rosso Corsa. Plans to take the F50 racing sadly got no further than three ‘GT’ versions. This UK example originally went to Guernsey, and has done only 9023 miles since new.

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1995 Lamborghini Diablo SE30 Jota

The SE30, built to mark Lamborghini’s 30th year, was essentially a street legal race car. A reworked fuel system, exhaust and air intake helped it to kick out 523bhp. It also did without the standard Diablo’s four-wheel drive. To keep weight down, the SE30 used Plexiglas side windows, and it lost the air-con, stereo and power steering set-ups. It also got carbon fibre seats, a larger rear spoiler, magnesium alloys and a deeper front spoiler. The Jota kit further upped power to 595bhp. This car was sold new to a major UK collector, and is one of just two factory-built RHD cars that came to the UK. It’s the only one here now.

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2022 Ferrari 812 Competizione

The 812 Competizione follows in the footsteps of the 599 GTO and F12 TdF, by turning the adrenaline up to 11 on Ferrari’s flagship series production car. The 812 Superfast’s 6.5-litre V12 was retuned to produce 819bhp, with 510lb ft of torque at 7000rpm. Many of the internals were revised, with upgraded conrods, pistons and crank. The intake system was also redesigned, helping to deliver more power at higher revs. Further upgrades included the reworking of the 812’s aerodynamic profile, as well as adding independent four-wheel steering. The seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox was updated, too.This particular car was purchased in September 2022, from Meridien Modena in Lyndhurst, Hampshire. The Ferrari frequently visits charity track days at Goodwood.

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2006 Porsche Carrera GT

The genesis of the Carrera GT can be traced back to an early-1990s Formula 1 engine, which didn’t get to race. It’d be left on the shelf for years, before Porsche fancied another crack at a Le Mans prototype season. However, rule changes – plus the money needed to fund the Cayenne’s R&D – saw the racing plan canned.The spectacular V10 would finally be used in 2003’s Carrera GT, three years after a prototype was shown at the Paris Motor Show. The car broke new ground – it was the firm’s first with a strong, light monocoque cabin and carbonfibre-reinforced plastic engine-support unit, with steel bracing around the screen and cabin. The 5.7-litre V10 produced 613bhp at 8000rpm, delivered via a six-speed manual transaxle. In fact, all out you’d hit 200mph, having passed 60mph in three seconds.

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Other notable mentions

2001 Ferrari 550 GTZ Barchetta

Winner of its class ‘Coachbuilt Greats – Zagato’. What a great car, and the first time I have ever seen this car. Wonderful.

The completion of three Zagato-bodied 550 GTZ Barchettas concluded the Zero Project, which had started in 2005 with the rebodying of six 575 GTs. Inspired by the 1956 250 GT Berlinetta, Zagato crafted an electronically operated roof. This 478bhp 5.5-litre V12-powered car is the last Barchetta built, and the only RHD example. Its bespoke dark grey exterior and cream leather trim distinguish it from its two stablemates. Following the Zero Project initiative, Ferrari appointed Zagato as an official coachbuilder for its One to One programme. Clients interested in starting a new Ferrari/ Zagato initiative will be directed to Maranello, where all future Zagato designed Ferraris will be built. That makes this car the last series of special bodied Ferraris to be built in the Zagato factory.

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2008 Koenigsegg CCXR Edition

The CCXR used the CCX’s solid foundations – a twin supercharged V8 – and added the ability to run on E85 and E100 ethanol fuel. This required modified injectors, upgraded lines and piston rings, and a raised boost setting. When run on ethanol, the standard car’s 806bhp peak power swelled to 1018bhp, with 782lb ft of torque. The Edition models were more track oriented than standard, having stiffer springs and anti-roll bars, new dampers and a lowered chassis, plus a bare-carbon body. This CCXR Edition is the only one in RHD out of the four built. It was ordered by the Malaysian Royal Family, but never made its destination. Instead it was looked after by Esser Automotive from new. It was imported into the UK in 2017 and sold to a collector, before joining the Octane Collection.

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2022 Chevrolet Corvette C8 Z51 Stingray

Upon its arrival in July 2019, the C8 boldly redefined the American sports car’s identity. The first mid-engined Corvette, it was also the first available in right-hand drive; 300 so-equipped cars sold around the world within 60 hours of launch. The Z51’s heart was its LT2 6.2-litre V8, which made 495bhp and hit 60mph in 2.9 seconds. The Z51 Performance Pack elevated this with a performance exhaust, eight-speed ’box, magnetic ride control and electronic limited-slip diff. It also added larger brakes, enhanced cooling and adjustable suspension. The car shown here belongs to Gabriela Crowther.

1994 Lamborghini Diablo SE30 Supercharged

This car was the purple reign concours class winner and overall show winner.

This impressively upgraded 634bhp SE30 prototype boasts a supercharger upgrade and a unique purple finish. This one-of-a-kind masterpiece was created by Lamborghini Hoecker in Landau, alongside the Sant’Agata Bolognese factory team. It’s considered one of the fastest Diablos ever made and has been sparingly driven in recent years. The car remains in excellent condition, featuring several performance-enhancing modifications. These include McLaren F1 brakes, a custom engine control for the supercharger, and a carbon intake for its air duct. Additionally, it boasts a 400km/h speedometer, highlighting its incredible speed potential.

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2018 Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Speedster

Aston Martin continued its long association with Milan’s Carrozzeria Zagato in 2018, for a project that saw four bodystyles made available to the marque’s most devoted customers: Coupé, Convertible, Speedster or Shooting Brake. Notably, all except the Speedster were limited to 99 cars; in fact, there are just 28 Speedsters in existence. Under the body lies the Vanquish S’s 595bhp V12, delivering 201mph and 0-62mph in 3.5 seconds. Furthermore, inside, bespoke ‘Zagato’ stitching can be found on the headlining and seats. With just over 500 miles from new and one owner, this car showcases a unique blend of British engineering and Italian design.

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1951 Jaguar XK120

This prominent racing Jaguar featured in XK120 in Competition by James Fraser and Paul Skilleter. It was raced from 1951 until the late 1990s, when a crash saw its chassis dumped and replaced. Recently, its history and rebirth have been documented as the car was reunited with its original, carefully repaired chassis. The XK120 retains many authentic features, and has been restored. In period, it was raced successfully by John Riseley-Prichard, most notably at Goodwood. Highlights included the seventh BARC Members’ Meeting in August 1951, the Goodwood International in September 1951, Castle Combe in April 1952 and the Eight Clubs at Silverstone in 1952.

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We hope you enjoyed our selection of 10 spectacular cars that got us salivating at London Concours 2024. Admittedly, it wasn’t easy narrowing it down to just 10 cars. We missed out on many favourites, including the 1986 Jaguar XJR-9, 1966 Citroën DS21 Décapotable, and 1991 Alfa Romeo SZ ES30. Other standouts were the 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Touring, 2022 Zenvo TSR-S, and 1964 Aston Martin DB5. Not to forget the stunning 2015 Jaguar C-X75, 2015 Porsche 918, 2020 Ferrari SP2 Monza, 1975 Lancia Stratos HF Stradale, and 1969 Maserati Ghibli Spyder. There were more as well.

Do you have a favourite here? Why that car?

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