​London Concours 2019

5th-6th June 2019 at the HEC.

The Beast of Turin, last years winning show car.

2007 Viking Outlaw Porsche Cayman 'S' Turbo

This is not just a car show. This is a very sophisticated display of rare and desirable cars set on a beautiful - and expensive - lawn in the very centre of London. For those of you who don’t realise, (don’t worry, I didn’t, either) that piece of real-estate must be worth multi-millions - a ridiculous, impossible-to-imagine amount of money. The government values the patch of grassland (with cricket pitch) at £104 million. The same area in central Nottingham (for example) would be a snip at £2 million - which just goes to show how different the real-estate prices are across the North/South divide.
The event is a fantastic mid-week garden party at the Honourable Artillery Company, Islington, London.
Being a military establishment, security is high - as expected - and Sam was on hand to look out for us by searching for explosives. It all sounds a little over the top but this is a major event in London and not at all unusual.
It is a smart event, and although not specified, smart clothes are expected. Most visitors are in shirt and trousers and this event does attract more than the usual car show’s female visitors.
The cars are set out around the lawn in themed groups, with retail marquees around the perimeter.

Go to the bottom of the page for further info on costs, food and travel.

​The car groups.

Great Marques FERRARI

A display from the 1946 Ferrari 166 inter touring, through to the 2016 LaFerrari

Ferrari 166 Inter Touring 1949

Ferrari 250 GT Tour de France 1958

Ferrari 275 GTB/4 1967

Ferrari 365 GTC 1969

Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona 1970

Ferrari 512 BB 1979

Ferrari 288 GTO 1984

Ferrari Testarosso 1990

Ferrari 599 GTO 2010

Ferrari LaFerrari 2016

Great Marques JAGUAR

Covering some of the most iconic Jaguars from the 1933 SS1, to the 2016 Project 7

Made in GERMAN

From the mighty Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 Coupe, to the tiny VW Golf GTi Mk1 (we had one of those back in the 80s)

The ICONS

The poster cars from different generations. Including a 1912 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost ’Nellie’, to a McLaren P1 XP-5

Winner of the ICONS award 'Nellie'

The OUTLAWS

These cars represent the modern and radical look to mostly classic cars. From a V8 Ferrari Dino, to a fantastic 1955 Lancia Aurelia B20GT.

The INNOVATOR

Representing cars from motorsport, Hypercars like the Bugatti Veyron, to the 1958 Citroen DS19 Saloon

First Disc Brake Car

First production V6 engine

First car with Hydro-pneumatic suspension, hydraulic commanded gearbox, clutch, brakes and steering

First Fiberglass Monocoque

First mid engined production car

First full monocoque chassis

First 4WD road car

First ground effect car to win F1 championship

First car with active suspension

First carbo fibre monocoque road car

First W16 engine

The LOST MARQUE

These are cars from manufacturers that are long gone, but have left their mark in history. Alvis, Panhard, Frazer-Nash and more

1934 Invicta S-Type

AC 16/80 1937

Frazer Nash Le Mans Replica 1951

Bristol 404 1955

Alvis TE21 Graber Cabriolet 1964

Austin Healey 3000 Works 1964

MGC Roadster Prototype 1965

Gordon Keeble GT 1966

Iso Grifo GL 365 1968

1971 Trident Clipper V8

The ITALIAN JOB

A collection of 7 Lamborghini Miura P400

Lamborghini P400 S 1969

Lamborghini P400 S 1971

Lamborghini Miura P400 S Jota 1969

Lamborghini P400 1968

Lamborghini P400 SV 1971

Lamborghini P400 S 1969

The COLLECTOR

Automotive enthusiast Julian Balme displays a selection of his collection

Ford Roadster Hot Rod 1932

Lincoln Continental Cabriolet 1940

Lincoln Cosmopolitan 1954

Triumph TR4 1962

Ford Falcon Sprint 1964

Ford Del Rio Ranch Wagon 'Gasser' 1957

Lotus Elan Plus 2S 1970

Ford Galaxie 500 1964

Octane & Evo Paddock

The magazine put on a great display with the evolution of four of the greatest car types ever made.

1966 Ford Gt40 and 2016 Ford GT

1971 Aston Martin DBSV8 & 2019 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera

1960 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso & Ferrari GTC4 Lusso

McLaren F1 and McLaren P1

The show is priced from £35 a day, with some online discounts available. VIP tickets and member tickets start at £60 and give you access to VIP enclosures and complimentary food and drink.
Food and drink is available at several locations and start with hot dogs and burgers at around £7. There is plenty of available seating and good toilet and free cloakroom facilities.
Programmes for the event were £5

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A little NOSE around

The large variety of retailers provided a good choice of stands, with representatives to talk to, but I found most had very little ‘get up and go’. If they are going to attract custom, sitting behind their little bars, chatting with each other is not the way to sell. Well done to Tesla for being the exception that proves the rule. We spoke with an engaging and charming young man who had a wide variety of things to say about all things Tesla - including Elon Musk’s new ventures. The Alpina stand was bustling and popular too, well-manned (and womanned).
The event is well organised with a good detailed programme and the staff and radio commentary was excellent. Just about everyone was polite and respectful of people taking photos.

We travelled by car to the outskirts of London and travelled the rest of the way by Tube. The HEC is well sign posted and easy to find from the Tube station. There is a local NCP car park for those travelling by car.