SATURDAY 31st AUGUST 2024

20 rare and exotic vehicles – all owned by women – will join the Levitt Concours, driving their vehicles into the gardens of Hampton Court Palace to celebrate the memory of Dorothy Levitt.

The world of thoroughbred racing cars and top-end collector vehicles is still perceived to be primarily a male pursuit. But the reality is that some of the most voracious automotive thrill seekers and knowledgeable car collectors in the world are – and have always been – women. For our tenth anniversary edition, the Concours of Elegance is introducing an entirely new feature designed to shine a light on these women and their vehicles. To our minds, it could only be named after one person: Dorothy Levitt.

On Saturday 31st August, a group of 20 rare and exotic vehicles from Porsche 911s to Alfa Romeo 8Cs – all owned by women – will join the Levitt Concours, driving their vehicles into the gardens of Hampton Court Palace for a curated schedule of events.

Organised by women, and designed for women, the Levitt Concours will also be judged by a panel of modern day racers, style icons and national editors.

The Levitt Concours honours a woman recognised as the first English female racing driver. A woman who set the ladies world land speed record, the first water speed record, who effectively introduced the concept of a rear view mirror and a woman who – in 1905 – drove a De Dion Bouton from London to Liverpool and back over two days. That’s at a time when tarmacked roads barely existed and less than 10,000 cars were on UK roads. She was a true pioneer, and was dubbed the ‘Fastest Girl on Earth’.