Unique 1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom I ‘The Phantom of Love’, wins Best In Show at Concours of Elegance 2025
The Concours of Elegance, presented by A. Lange & Söhne, closed its doors yesterday after another glorious event, held over three days in the gardens of Hampton Court Palace, in west London. The 14th edition of Europe’s premier concours d’elegance event, saw over 15,000 guests enjoy a jaw-dropping display of exquisite privately owned road and competition motor cars – spanning over 100 years of automotive history, parked up in the palace gardens.
The Best in Show winner, uniquely chosen by the Concours car owners themselves, was a spellbinding 1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom I known as ‘The Phantom of Love’. This extraordinary motorcar stole the hearts of the judges, representing perhaps the most romantic automotive commission ever undertaken.
The breathtakingly opulent Phantom I was originally created as the ultimate expression of devotion by Clarence Gasque for his beloved wife, heiress to the Woolworths fortune. It cost an incredible £6,500 when new – at a time when the average UK house price was just £500. The palatial Rococo interior, inspired by Marie Antoinette’s sedan chair at the Victoria and Albert Museum, features authentic Aubusson tapestries, gilt decoration, and porcelain vases filled with enamel flowers that “never die” – symbolising everlasting love. The tapestries alone cost over £500 and took over 9 months to produce.
Coachbuilders Charles Clark & Sons were tasked with bringing the car to life. The resulting car was a thing of automotive wonder, inside and out. The interior featured highly polished satinwood veneer panelling with painted and gilt decoration, oval medallions, and a sofa rear seat upholstered in the finest tapestries, depicting romantic scenes reminiscent of François Boucher paintings.
Tragically, Clarence Gasque died just 18 months after commissioning this extraordinary gift. The car was then stored until 1952, when it passed to noted Rolls-Royce collector Stanley Sears, before moving through Japanese, American and Australian collections.
It remains one of the most famous surviving Rolls-Royces, and is entirely original, presenting exactly as it was intended nearly 100 years ago. It was a worthy winner that captivated all who saw it in the Palace gardens.
Elsewhere, there were class awards given for different automotive decades – again voted for by the owners of the cars themselves. The winners were as follows.
Decade Awards
Pre-1920s: 1914 Bugatti Type 13 Eight Valve
The winner in the Pre-1920s category was an example of Ettore Bugatti’s refined early masterpiece, featuring the distinctive egg-shaped radiator and quarter-elliptical springs that would define his future work. This particular example on show represented a remarkable preservation story – discovered by collector Uwe Hucke as scattered components in a Nice garage before being lovingly reassembled using original parts including the brass water pump stamped ‘614’ and engine number ‘329’ still visible after more than a century.
1920s: 1924 Hispano-Suiza H6C ‘Boulogne’ Short Chassis Saloon
The winner in the 1920s category was the magnificent H6C commissioned by Lieutenant Glen Kidston RN, featuring bespoke Hooper coachwork with silk curtains, ivory fittings and walnut trim costing £2900 when new. After disappearing for decades and surviving various modifications, Lieutenant Kidston’s nephew, classic car dealer and commentator, Simon tracked down the car in New Zealand and returned it to England in 2018, where an 18,000-hour restoration returned it exactly to its 1924 Olympia Motor Show specification, even recovering its original ‘HS 3566’ registration.
1930s: 1939 Lagonda V12 Rapide DHC by James Young
The winner in the hotly contested 1930s category featured W.O. Bentley’s imperious V12 engine in the powerful Sanction IV Le Mans specification, producing 220bhp. It is one of only four customer cars so equipped. Commissioned by Major Anthony Gillson who tragically died before delivery, this James Young-bodied example is one of only two V12 chassis with this elegant coachwork. Having covered just 32,000 miles through five owners, it underwent a ground-up restoration by Auto Restorations in New Zealand, winning its class at Pebble Beach in 2018.
1940s: 1940 Bugatti Type 57 Atalante
The winner in the 1940s category exemplified Jean Bugatti’s artistic mastery, combining engineering brilliance with Art Deco-inspired design. The winning Atalante was supplied as a rolling chassis in January 1939 and was thought to be stashed away during the Second World War. In the early 1950s, it was purchased by renowned French sculptor James Jacques Brown who created an entirely new body. Current owner Mark Lowther has dedicated two decades to its restoration, and it was making its first public appearance since its transformation at Hampton Court.
1950s: 1957 BMW 507
The winner in the 1950s category was Albrecht von Goertz’s stunning design masterpiece, chassis 70103, one of the earliest Series 2 models and one of only 15 originally specified in gleaming black paint. After extensive European ownership including major factory work in 1969 and 1971, it passed to American expatriate Patrick Gould who praised it as ‘the most beautiful car ever built’. Following a comprehensive restoration in Italy and subsequent ownership in Switzerland, it has now been returned to its original black specification.
1960s: 1962 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder
The winner in the 1960s category represented the pinnacle of open-top Ferrari design, one of just 56 examples built at the request of American distributors for affluent West Coast clients. This celebrated and highly desirable model became a favourite among Hollywood celebrities including James Coburn and Alain Delon. The California Spyder perfectly combined Pininfarina’s sublime styling with Ferrari’s supreme V12 engine, creating one of the most sought-after classics from the golden age of Italian sports cars.
1970s: 1972 Iso Grifo Series II
The winner in the 1970s category combined Giorgetto Giugiaro’s beautiful Bertone styling with American V8 reliability and performance muscle. The victorious example is one of only five right-hand-drive Series II cars supplied to the UK market, featuring the 5.4-litre Chevrolet V8 with automatic transmission. After passing through several notable owners, it underwent an 18-month concours-level restoration by McGrath Maserati, its post-restoration debut at the Palace.
1980s: 1988 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante Prince of Wales
The winner in the 1980s category represented the ultimate expression of British automotive refinement, born from a bespoke commission by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales in 1986. One of only five left-hand-drive examples built for the US market, chassis 15746 features the understated elegance preferred by the Prince, stripped of flamboyant styling, but retaining the formidable 5.3-litre V8 engine. Restored by marque specialists RS Williams, and featuring the signature 7.0-litre engine upgrade, it embodies all that was wonderful about Aston Martin’s bespoke craftsmanship.
Future Classics: 1994 Bugatti EB110 America
The winner in the Future Classics category pioneered the hypercar segment as the first production car with a carbon-fibre monocoque chassis and permanent four-wheel drive. This unique example, chassis 39025, debuted at the 1994 Concorso Italiano where it won the People’s Choice Award. Romano Artioli later commissioned Zagato to repaint it in distinctive Blu Bugatti, declaring “A true Bugatti could only be blue.” One of only two EB110 America examples produced, it became the first EB110 to receive Bugatti’s La Maison Pur Sang ‘Excellent’ authenticity certification in 2024.
Elsewhere at the event, there was a celebraton of 75 years of Formula One with a stunning lineup of cars displayed in front of the palace, including an ex-Fangio Mercedes-Benz W196R. Beyond the central concours display, the women-only Levitt Concours, celebrating female car enthusiasts and collectors, was once again a great success. After a day of judging the trophy went to a 1904 Peugeot Type 63B.
The Club Trophy, presented by the Royal Automobile Club, anointing the best car club car in the UK, went to a 1952 Aston Martin DB2 Graber Drophead Coupe. The ‘Thirty Under 30’ concours, a concours for younger enthusiasts, was also a great hit, with an exceptional range of machinery on show. The winner, chosen by TopJaw star Jesse Burgess and influencer Michał Fidowicz, was a 1983 Toyota Sprinter Carib.
James Brooks-Ward, Concours of Elegance CEO, said: “We’re delighted to report that Concours of Elegance 2025, the 14th edition of our show, was a tremendous success. With a truly jaw-dropping array of cars on display – from Le Mans winners to mythical one-off bespoke commissions like ‘The Phantom of Love’ – the event underlined our show’s position as the leading Concours d’elegance event in Europe, and one of the top three globally.
“Our world-class curatorial team again raised the bar, assembling a range of automotive treasures the likes of which has never been seen in the UK before, all in the most stunning historic royal palace setting. 2025’s show is one that will certainly live long in the memory of our guests.
“We’d like to thank all our wonderful partners, and particularly presenting partner A. Lange & Söhne, as well as our immensely generous owners for their continued support. Without them this special event would simply not be possible.”
Full List of Winners
DECADE WINNERS:
Pre-1920s
1st: 1914 Bugatti Type 13 Eight Valve
2nd: 1912 Packard Model 48 Phaeton
1920s
1st: 1924 Hispano-Suiza H6C ‘Boulogne’ Short Chassis Saloon
2nd: 1929 Bentley 4½ Litre Drophead 3-Position Coupe
3rd: 1926 Rally Grand Sport Type S
1930s
1st: 1939 Lagonda V12 Rapide DHC by James Young
2nd: 1936 Delahaye 135 M Roadster
3rd: 1932 Aston Martin LM8
1940s
1st: 1940 Bugatti Type 57 Atalante
2nd: 1947 Delahaye 135 MS Roadster
3rd: 1949 Aston Martin Two-Litre Sports (DB1)
1950s
1st: 1957 BMW 507
2nd: 1955 Aston Martin DB3S Coupe
3rd: 1956 AC Ace Bristol
1960s
1st: 1962 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder
2nd: 1961 Ghia L 6.4 Coupe
3rd: 1966 Ferrari 330 GTC
1970s
1st: 1972 Iso Grifo Series II
2nd: 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.8 RSR
3rd: 1973 Ligier JS2
1980s
1st: 1988 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante Prince of Wales
2nd: 1984 Ferrari 288 GTO
3rd: 1980 BMW M1
Future Classics
1st: 1994 Bugatti EB110 America
2nd: 2025 Ferrari SP3 Daytona Carbon
3rd: 2007 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Coupe
SPECIAL CLASS AWARDS:
Formula 1 Class
1st: 1956 Maserati 250F
2nd: 1977 Tyrrell P34
3rd: 1988 Ferrari 639 F1
Ferrari Class
1st: 1990 Ferrari F40 LM
2nd: 1951 Ferrari 212 Export Vignale Barchetta
3rd: 1952 Ferrari 212 Inter Coupe Pininfarina
1950s Sports Racing Car Class
1st: 1955 Aston Martin DB3S Coupe
2nd: 1953 Ferrari 250 MM Vignale Spyder Series II
3rd: 1955 Jaguar D-Type
The Chairman’s Award
1934 Packard 1108 Twelve Convertible Saloon
Spirit of Motoring Award
1924 Hispano-Suiza H6C ‘Boulogne’ Short Chassis Saloon
Manufacturer Award
1930 Bentley 8-litre Weymann Saloon
Gooding Christies’ Award
1956 Maserati 250F
The Club Trophy, presented by the Royal Automobile Club
1952 Aston Martin DB2 Graber Drophead Coupe
The Levitt Concours
1904 Peugeot Type 63B
ThirtyUnder30
1983 Toyota Sprinter Carib
Bentley Trophy
2000 Bentley Continental T
Restoration Showcase Award
1990 Peugeot 205 1.9 GTI by Auto RARA
Best Car Club Award, presented by Classic & Sports Car
Saturday – 1982 Rolls Royce Camargue
Sunday – 1971 Marcos GT 3.0-litre
Away from the automotive displays, the Concours of Elegance 2025 was again an occasion of pure luxury, with Champagne provided by Charles Heidsieck, picnics by Fortnum & Mason, and a collection of art, jewellery and fashion displays. Presenting Partner A. Lange & Söhne was also on hand to showcase some of its most intricate timepieces.