Concours of Elegance 2024

Where to even begin…

Last weekend I had the privilege of attending the 2024 Concours of Elegance, with both Media Accreditation and in Partnership with EMM London. 

The Concours is, in my opinion, the finest and most sophisticated automotive event in Britain, displaying one of the most eclectic and exceptional arrays of cars that I have ever seen. So much so, that I’m unsure where to start.

Having began the drive at 3:30am on Friday Morning, I arrived at the event for 9:00am and made my way in with Richard and Jeremy from EMM. We were greeted by the sight of the display vehicles being awoken and sparked into life! The pre-opening was a feeling of calm, especially in the glorious setting that is Hampton Court Palace, more on that later!

Hampton Court Palace

Concours of Elegance 2024

Having entered before the masses, I decided to familiarise myself with my surroundings, and warmed the camera up ready for a long but extremely exciting day ahead. 

I instantly stumbled across the McLaren F1, sat dormant amongst the fields of the Palace. Truly Elegant, though I’d seen signs telling visitors to keep an eye out for Deer, I wasn’t expecting to find a Unicorn so early on. The McLaren F1 has rightly become an icon in the Automotive World, with its creator regarded as one of the finest designers in the industry. The F1 has an aura, an overwhelming presence, I can only liken to that of Royalty, quite fitting at Hampton, I would say. 

Mclaren F1 040

£20M on Four Wheels

After getting my bearings, it was almost time for the gates to open for the V.I.P Day of Concours. Being the opening, day I had no doubt that it would be spectacular. The sun was shining (though as a photographer that’s not always a good thing), the crowds were waiting. Lights, Camera, Action!

The event was in full-swing and in all honesty, the morning flew-by at a speed almost comparable to the vehicles around me. Hundreds of photograph’s taken, dozens of people met, a truly joyous morning. 

After a spot of lunch and having reviewed the content I had acquired, I decided to post myself near the main stage. This was in order to gather both footage and photographs of the most exceptional vehicles making their way around the water fountain that centres the event.

Following this, I decided to grab a drink and enjoy the serenity of the row of cars including the McLaren F1, GMA T.50 and above all for me personally, the Lamborghini Reventón Roadster, recently acquired by James Cooper.

Lamborghini Reventón Roadster

Presented at the Concours of Elegance 2024 by James Cooper.

The Reventón holds a special place in my heart, being the car that started the spark for my interest, love and latterly, my career in the Automotive Industry. The angular design, is synonymous of Lamborghini as a brand. You can really see the areas of the car that inspired the Aventador, but the Reventón was originally based off the former V12 flagship, the Murcielago. For me personally, it was the poster car, the first car I truly lusted after as a child and subsequently, the one Lamborghini I have desired to photograph since I started out. I owe a lot to the Reventón, and now having finally seen, photographed and filmed on in the metal (or carbon), I feel I have fulfilled a deep-seated goal in my career. A special thank you to the owner James, for displaying the vehicle and also for chatting and interacting with my posts on Instagram following the event!

As with the morning, the afternoon was a blur. Before long, it was time for me to pack up my equipment and hit the road. The 5 hour drive home was spent reflecting, planning out my approach to releasing the content and overall, enjoying the memory I had created that day, with the prospect of returning next year already in my mind.

The Concours truly is, an unbelievable event. Bringing together an eclectic mixture people and organisations, who all share the same common interest. It is, as with the sister-event London Concours, a firm date set in my 2025 calendar and I would implore those of you reading this to do the same. It is an absolute must for creators and enthusiasts alike. 

If you were fortunate enough to attend, please let us know what your favourite vehicle from the event was, and if you couldn’t make it, let us know what you’d love to see there next year!

Thanks again to the Concours of Elegance and Richard Hawken (EMM London) for their hospitality, and helping to make this happen!