‘Best ever’ line up of iconic vehicles at Heveningham Concours

The line-up for last weekend’s Heveningham Concours was acclaimed as the “best ever” by the panel of distinguished judges, who faced the formidable task of deciding the best cars from a selection of different classes – including some all-new categories for 2024.

The panel of judges was made up of legendary car designers Peter Stevens and Tony Hatter, as well as racing driver Marino Franchitti, Prodrive chairman David Richards, and Magneto founder David Lilllywhite, chaired by Max Hunt.

Guest of honour at Heveningham was Sandra Button, the chairman and executive cirector of the world-leading Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in the United States: the standard to which all automotive events aspire.

Other guests came from as far afield as Hawaii and Australia: all united by a passion for the icons of automotive design showcased on the grass terraces behind Heveningham Hall.

Among the 10,000 visitors to the Heveningham Estate throughout the weekend were also representatives from international and national media, including acclaimed lifestyle influencer Alen Palander from Canada, and Harry’s Garage creator Harry Metcalfe, whose Lancia Fulvia also won a prize.

The cars exhibited ranged from an 1899 Panhard and Levassor to a 2024 Ferrari SF90 XX Stradale.

As well as legendary road cars, several competition icons were represented on the lawns, from a 1932 Alfa Romeo Tipo B Monoposto that competed in the Indy 500 five times, to the current Ford Puma Hybrid Rally1 WRC – which was also the star of Heveningham’s “Horspower Hill” live action demonstration run.

One of the competition cars that had travelled furthest (at least in recent days) was the magnificently beaten-up 1965 Sunbeam Tiger that has just completed the epic Peking to Paris rally in the hands of touring car driver Patrick Watts, while perhaps the most famous was Ferrari’s protoype paddle-shift 640 Formula 1 car from 1989, as driven by Nigel Mansell.

Although there was no specific theme this year, the Concours aimed to highlight the milestones of automotive design, with a number of cars that had rarely or never been displayed before. One good example was the breathtaking 1937 Delahaye 135 MS Coupé, making its very first appearance after a painstaking restoration.

The sheer variety and quality of the entries made determining the winners harder than ever. However, after much deliberation, the victors in each category were revealed during the party behind the house on Saturday night, featuring entertainment ranging from opera singers to biker gangs.

The winners in each category were as follows:

“The Stylish Years” (pre-war 1886-1945): 1939 12 Rapide Drophead Coupe by James Young.

“The Dawning of a New Era” (post-war 1946-1965): 1961 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 Roadster.

“Emerging Style” (post-modern 1966-1999): 1968 Alpine 220.

“Speed and Beauty Combined” (performance 1966-1999): 1972 Lancia Fulvia Sport 1600 Zagato.

“Faster, Faster” (performance 2000-2024): 2015 Jaguar C-X75 Spectre Stunt Car.

“Take Me Ohm” (hybrid and electric): 2022 M-Sport Ford Puma WRC.

“The Challenge of Tarmac or Dirt” (race and rally): 1956 Maserati 250F.

“Need for Speed” (record breakers): 1922 AC works racing car.

Other special awards included “Best in Show” for the Jaguar E-Type Series 1 Roadster, while the 1934 Lockheed Model 12A Electra Junior won the Hanna Aviation Trophy in the Aviation Concours, which took place during the same weekend, as well as the Heveningham Country Fair.

Deanna Peters won the coveted award for the most stylish car owner, while the most impressive car on Horsepower Hill was judged to be the Ferrari SF90, alongside the 1934 Bentley Barnato-Hassan Special in the “Jalopies” category.

All the winners received trophies commissioned from local sculptor Laurence Edwards, underlining Heveningham’s philosophy of supporting and promoting the Suffolk community by showcasing the region’s talents and produce.

All profits from the event go to local charities, while the Concours also sponsors an Intelligent Mobility scholarship from the Royal College of Art.

This helps a promising student make their first steps towards a career in car design, following in the footsteps of Concours judges, who have penned some of the most iconic models from McLaren, Jaguar, and Porsche – to name just a few.

Lois Hunt, head of the Organising Committee, said: “It was incredible to hear so many of these respected judges describe this year’s line-up of cars as our best ever, so it only remains for me to thank, from the bottom of my heart, all the people who make this wonderful show possible and so special.

“First and foremost, a huge thanks to everyone who came: especially Sandra Button and her husband, whose Pebble Beach Concours sets the standard for others to follow. I’d also like to thank everyone who helped to organise and select such an eclectic and beautiful selection of cars, which truly made our Concours stand out from the crowd.

“We’re already looking forward to next year, with dates to be announced shortly.”