A unique and beautiful Ferrari 166MM/212 Export ‘Uovo’ is set to lead a world-class line-up of Ferrari icons at this year’s Concours of Elegance

• The ‘Uovo’ features one-off coachwork by Fontana, inspired by aeronautics, and allowing for a kerbweight 150kg less than other Ferraris of the time.
• Joining the ‘Uovo’ is a one-of-19 Ferrari 500 TRC, the last-four cylinder Ferrari ever built, and a gorgeous one-of-14 Ferrari 365 California Spyder
• Completing the Main Concours line-up is a 250 GT SWB, a rare-alloy-bodied 275 GTB Long Nose, a one-of-three GTO Prototype and the 2018 GTC4Lusso ‘Tailor Made’
• Tickets to the Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace are on sale now, available from: concoursofelegance.co.uk/tickets

The former home of Henry VIII, Hampton Court Palace, will play host to a selection of some of the rarest Ferraris ever built as Concours of Elegance gets underway from 31 August to 2 September. Ferraris from 1950 to the present day will appear in the Main Concours event, spearheaded by the unique and beautiful 166MM/ 212 Export ‘Uovo’.

The ‘Uovo’ is an absolute one-off, designed for Count Giannino Marzotto as the ultimate sports racing car of its day. The design is not only aerodynamic but also lightweight, inspired by the aeronautical training of the car’s designer, Franco Reggiani, shedding around 150kg compared with similar Ferraris of the time. The bespoke design, complete with a reflection-free windscreen made of crystal, worked wonders on the car’s performance, granting it a number of race wins, including the 1951 Giro della Toscana. Sold very recently by RM Sotheby’s, the ‘Uovo’ has rarely been seen in public, making the Concours of Elegance a special opportunity to see one of the world’s most special Ferraris.

Joining the Uovo is the Ferrari 500 TRC by Scaglietti. Named after the FIA ‘C’ racing regulations to which it was built to comply, this 500 TRC, or ‘Testa Rossa C’, is one of the most beautiful Ferraris ever built. This particular example is the last TRC produced, and the last ever four-cylinder car Ferrari made. It also comes complete with an impressive race history, including class wins at both the 1957 12 Hours of Sebring and 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Then there’s the extraordinary 365 California Spyder. One of only fourteen ever made, this car was designed by Pininfarina as a direct successor to the 500 Superfast Coupe. Named “California” after its 250 predecessors, the 365 Spyder was fitted with a sophisticated 4.4-litre V12 engine, capable of producing up to 320hp.

Also on display at the Concours is a 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Scaglietti – one of 165 built. Featuring a 3-litre V12 engine, the 250 GT SWBs were a shortened version of the long-wheelbase TDF (Tour de France) cars, fitted with modified suspension for higher cornering speeds.

Any Ferrari 275 GTB is special, but the alloy-bodied Long Nose appearing at Hampton Court Palace between 31 August – 2 September deserves extra attention. One of just 80 examples, this car has the lighter alloy body, the Long Nose design and the earlier two-cam powertrain. The 275 was designed by Pininfarina, built by Scaglietti, and was the first Ferrari to feature fully independent transaxle suspension, pioneered on-track by Ferrari.

Once considered the ‘entry-level’ Ferrari, the Dino has gone on to become one of the most sought-after Ferraris of its era, and Concours of Elegance will be displaying one of the 357 early L-Series cars – a Dino 246 GT. Featuring a six-cylinder mid-mounted 2.4-litre engine, which produces 195bhp, the Dino is capable of 146mph. This year marks the 50^th anniversary since the first Dino was produced, in 1968.

No line-up of Ferraris would be complete without an appearance from the brand’s legendary GTO badge, and Concours of Elegance will be bringing perhaps the rarest GTO of them all. The 1983 Ferrari 288 GTO Prototype, known simply as the Ferrari GTO, is one of only six built, and one of three that remain.

And finally, a 2018 Ferrari GTC4Lusso ‘Tailor Made’ will also be present in the Main Concours. Finished in a bespoke Arancia paint, this car was customized to exactly the owner’s specifications. Released earlier this year as the replacement for the Ferrari FF, the car features a 6.3-litre V12 engine, capable of reaching speeds in excess of 200mph.

This year’s event is the largest and most diverse yet, not only featuring one of the most incredible collections of vehicles ever seen in the Main Concours display but also a number of other special motoring features. The Aston Martin Owners Club, for example, will be gathering an example of every DB4 variant ever produced, in celebration of 60 years of the first Aston Martin DB4 model.

Concours of Elegance Director, Andrew Evans, said: “The Concours of Elegance is all about bringing together the rarest and most exceptional cars in the world in one of the UK’s most beautiful settings. Clearly, Ferrari and its long lineage of icons will always hold a place in the Concours, but I’m absolutely thrilled by the quality we’ll have on display. For Ferrari fans, it’s absolutely unmissable, but we’ll also have plenty of other things to see and do over the weekend: luxury watches from A. Lange & Sohne, jewellery from Augustine Jewels, champagne from Taittinger and luxury attire from Henry Poole & Co.”

Concours of Elegance is working in conjunction with a number of organisations to offer bespoke experiences for visitors, including the Octane Tour, held on Sunday. To join the Octane Tour contact iain@thoroughevents.co.uk.

The Concours has also partnered with Tom’s Kitchen – founded by Tom Aikens –  to offer new deli picnics for visitors. Presented in individual jute bags, the picnics will include a substantial chicken or vegetarian main course plus salads with a generous cheese and fruit box and a delicious strawberry and white chocolate dessert.

Tickets to the Concours of Elegance are on sale now, available from: www.concoursofelegance.co.uk/tickets

Facebook: www.facebook.com/concoursofelegance

Twitter: www.twitter.com/ConcoursUK

About the annual Concours of Elegance:

Established in 2012, the inaugural Concours of Elegance was held within Windsor Castle to mark the diamond jubilee of Her Majesty The Queen’s reign. Organised by Thorough Events, the first Concours of Elegance set a new global benchmark for a classic car concours; winning prestigious awards in the process; unheard of for a ‘start-up’ event in its first year. The second Concours of Elegance was held in 2013 to equal fanfare at the historic Royal Palace of St James in London, with the widely acclaimed third Concours set in the stunning grounds of Hampton Court Palace in September 2014, before heading to the Palace of Holyroodhouse in 2015. Only cars of the highest calibre are invited to the Concours of Elegance, from all over the world, painstakingly selected by the Concours Steering Committee; a respected team of authoritative historic car experts. A key objective of the annual Concours of Elegance is to raise significant sums for charity.

www.concoursofelegance.co.uk

Historic Royal Palaces

Hampton Court Palace is cared for by Historic Royal Palaces, the independent charity that also looks after the Tower of London, the Banqueting House, Kensington Palace, Kew Palace and Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland. We help everyone explore the story of how monarchs and people have shaped society, in some of the greatest palaces ever built. We raise all our own funds and depend on the support of our visitors, members, donors, sponsors and volunteers. With the exception of Hillsborough Castle, these palaces are owned by The Queen on behalf of the nation, and we manage them for the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. Registered charity number 1068852. For more information, visit www.hrp.org.uk.

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