London, 24-25 May,  2023

The inaugural Concours on Savile Row was held in June 2022, proving to be a great success in the heart of central London, such that the 2023 edition, held on 24-25 May, encompassed more space to accommodate more vehicles. The additional display area was a section of Burlington Gardens overlooked by the impressive architecture of the Royal Academy of Art, at the southern end of Savile Row. The street has been the home of high-end bespoke tailoring in London for over 200 years, the tailor’s establishments and the automobiles on display providing a synthesis of elegance and luxury. The event is organised by Hothouse Media, the publishers of the respected and popular motoring magazine Magneto, in collaboration with the Pollen Estate of which Savile Row is a part, with assistance from the Westminster City Council, whose permission is necessary for the closure of the roads for the two days of the event.

The diversity of the vehicles on display matched those of the tailoring styles in the establishments along the street, which for those who don’t know London, runs parallel to and to the west of Regent Street. The cars on display ranged from pre-war classics like a 1922 Bentley 3 Litre Le Mans, that ran in the very first Le Mans 24 Hour Race in 1923, through to the latest Lotus Eletre all-electric SUV. Within this range there were thirty-seven cars, plus a trio of motorcycles, on display.



Amongst these were a truly elegant deep blue 1938 Delahaye Type 145 V12 Coupe from the Mullin Collection, an ex-George Harrison Mercedes-Benz Limousine, a Jaguar C-Type, an ex-Mario Andretti Lotus 79 F1 car, a BRM P15 Mk1 V16 Continuation F1 car, an Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro, resplendent in metallic green with yellow accents, plus a trio of Ferraris. These comprised of a pale blue 500 Mondial Spider, chassis 0424 MD, the unique 250 GT S1 PF Cabriolet “Café Racer” in red, chassis 0999 GT, together with another pale blue example, this being a 275 GTB4, chassis 09897.

The latter was adjudged Best of Show by students from the Westminster City Lions as part of the Hagerty Youth Judging Programme panel, where the cars are judged upon the merits of their design, originality, history and presentation. There were also modern interpretations on classic designs, like the Envisage Caton take on the Austin Healey 100/4 and the RML Short Wheelbase, echoing the Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta. There were also electrified classics, like the psychedelic Tudor Black Coachworks Electric Lady Jaguar E-Type and the Lunaz Design Bentley S2 Continental, so a truly widespread range of offerings.

Apart from the cars on display, there was a central stage where interviews with various people from the worlds of motoring and fashion took place interspersed with live music from Swing Ninjas. Amongst those present were car designer Ian Callum, who had his Vanquish 25 on display nearby, and six time Le Mans winner Jacky Ickx. Another interesting and diverse “free to all” gathering in the capital city.

Keith Bluemel          
05/2023