Royal Show at the Edinburgh Concours

Jim Clark remembered.

This Franay bodied 1949 Talbot Lago T26 Grand Sport Convertible was first shown at the 1949 Paris Salon. The car was displayed with none other than Marlene Dietrich where it won 1st place in Art and Industry, best in show and best interior. In 1950 the car took first place in Concours events in Paris and Belgium. In 1951 it won again, first place at the Brussels Motor show and again in 1952 with a Christian Dior model it took the top prize for Car and Fashion. Sold in 1953 to a gentleman from Versailles and sold again in 1960 to a US airman (and VeloceToday reader) Jim Bandy who took it to his home in the USA. It remained in the USA, winning first in class at Pebble Beach in 2011, until being purchased in 2014 by its current owner Andreas Pohl.

Deja Vue; I am afraid as I had already seen this GTO at Amelia Island this year, and previously at the Goodwood Revival a few years ago but it’s a GTO so should be included. Craig and Susan McCaw’s ex Innes Ireland UDT Laystall team car chassis 3505. This was the first right hand drive example and the sixth built. Innes Ireland collected the car from the factory in the spring of 1962 and drove it back to England, a distance of over 800 miles to compete in the Goodwood Easter meeting. Unfortunately the car spent the meeting sitting in the paddock as it was at this meeting that Stirling had his terrible accident which ended his career. Following his accident the team switched Innes from the GTO to the Lotus 19 which had originally been entered for Stirling to drive. Moss had actually driven the GTO with Innes in practice. 3505 did however come first in various other races throughout the 1962 season.

This 1939 Delahaye 165 was chosen by the French Government to represent France at the 1939 New York World’s Fair. This exotic masterpiece caused a sensation even if it did not at the time have an engine. When the car was ready to be shipped across the Atlantic the V12 engine was not ready. Due to the outbreak of World war two the car was stranded for 8 years with the New York Custom authorities. The car was eventually sold in 1947 and was fitted with a Cadillac V8. Peter Mullin and Jim Hull discovered the car in Honolulu and they were finally able to fit the original V12 engine.

Peter Harburg’s 1936 Delage D60-70 Milord Figoni et Falaschi Cabriolet was sold new to Madam Jeanne Menesson, wife of French industrialist and designer of the Solex carburettor Marcel Menesson. The car featured on the coach builders stand at that years Paris Salon and went on to win various Grand Prix d Elegance across France. In 2014 the car won the best French car at Pebble Beach.

The 1964 Lotus Cosworth Cortina in which Jim Clark won the British Touring car championship that year.

Bill Pope’s 1956 Maserati A6G2000 Zagato Coupe was sold new through the marques San Francisco dealership and was raced that year at Laguna Seca. 63 A6Gs were built with coachwork by many of the best Italian Carrozzeria.

I had seen the ex-Richard Seaman MG K3 at Brooklands recently so I was a bit ho hum about seeing another K3. However having spoken at some length with its current custodian Peter Briggs my opinion swiftly changed. This K3 is number 3 of the 3 car works which raced, and won the 1100cc class at the 1933 Millie Miglia. They also took a race record and the team prize to boot. The team was run by Earl Howe and the car was driven by Count Johnny Lurani and George Eyston. Later in the same year Tazio Nuvolari drove this car to Victory in the Ulster TT. This is very typical of the event, you see an example of a car that you may have seen the like of previously at another event, then you read about the history of the particular example you are looking at, and then quickly your ‘oh that is a nice car’ becomes a blimey. Somebody once said to me it was an honor to be able to view these exceptional examples.

Lancia B20 outside the gate and sentry box.

It is said that in his passport Rob Walker gave his profession as Gentleman. He certainly was a gentleman team owner of the old school. Walking past a car showroom in Mayfair London just before the outbreak of the second world war, Rob spotted this rather delectable Delahaye 135S which lead to an impulsive purchase and the start of The Rob Walker Racing team. Rob Walker is a direct descendant of the Walker whisky family so you can’t get more Scottish than that. This 135S is one of only sixteen built.

Displayed courtesy of John E McCaw Jr this 1912 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost London to Edinburgh Tourer carries an accurate reproduction of the original body of a car we know as the Silver Dawn. The original bodywork of the Silver Dawn was produced by the Grosvenor Carriage Company. The chassis and running gear of the car you see here has been fitted with the original engine from the famous Silver Ghost which had completed the London to Edinburgh trial in top gear.

Even the ice cream van was a Rolls-Royce. This 20 HP model was built in 1923 for the Marques De San Miguel as a Hooper Limousine. The car then became the property of Viscount Scarsdale and various other owners until being purchased in 1937 by Luca Scappaticcio, founder of the S Luca ice cream company who had the car converted into what is probably the only Rolls Royce ice cream van in the world.

This Rolls-Royce was participant in the Highland Tour which proceeded the main event. I know nothing of the car but it looks so right in this setting.

From a private collection and the winner of the Pullman Trophy for best car in show, this 1903 Mercedes Simplex 60 hp is one of only four known to exist. On the 10th June 1903 a fire at the Daimler factory destroyed approximately 90 cars including the factory Gordon Bennett Cup race cars. The Gordon Bennett Cup was at the time the most important international race. As a result Daimler was forced to borrow or buy back three 60 hp models from private owners. The cars were then striped and prepared for the race. With time running out, rather than ship the cars by rail, the three entries were driven across France and then taken by ferry to Ireland. On the 2nd July the race was won at an average of 50 mph by Camille Jenatzy “the red bearded Red Devil” in a 60 HP Mercedes borrowed from an American millionaire.

Normally when somebody walks into my shot I hit the delete button. But not if it is Sir Jackie Stewart. The car behind is Lord Bamford’s 1937 Rolls Royce Phantom III Vanvooren Drophead Coupe V12. This car was purchased for the personal use of General Wladyslaw Sikorski, Poland’s exiled Prime Minister and the commander in chief of its armed forces. This is one of only three Vanvooren bodied Phantom IIIs.

Sir Jackie Stewart chats with Lady Farmer, the wife of Sir Tom Farmer who made his fortune with the Quick Fit tire distribution business..

Stewart’s cars: 1969 Matra MS80 furthest, 1971 Tyrrel 001 middle, 1973 Tyrrell 006 nearest.

Vieux Charles is ex Malcolm Campbell.

In Scotland, it’s hard to say which is more traditional, the kilts or the XK...

Ordered in 1937 by Mrs Suzanne Wilcox and shipped from the factory in Coventry to her home in Johannesburg in South Africa, this SS100 was raced at the Earl Howe circuit by Mrs Wilcox during her first year of ownership. She finally sold the car in 2002 to its current Spanish owner Rafael Pueche.

This 1951 Ferrari 212 Vignale was delivered to its first owner Count Giulio Acuarone by Enzo Ferrari himself. The car was at that time a Vignale Coupe but sometime around 1953 he asked Vignale to re cloth it in a barchetta style but to retain all of the components of the coupe even including the seats, steering wheel and glove box. The Count sold the car to an Italian collector in 1965 who kept it for 48 years during which time he used it various Italian events including the Millie Miglia. The car is now owned by Bernado Hartogs and has just undergoing a 14 month restoration to original condition at the Ferrari factory.

I am not sure if it is still hanging there, but in the Goodwood control tower hung a black and white photograph of two cars which had had a coming together during the 1963 Tourist Trophy car held at that circuit. The two cars were a Ferrari 250 GTO which John Surtees had been driving, and an Aston Mrtin DB4GT Zagato, chassis 183R, registration number 2 VEV which Jim Clark had been driving for the Essex Racing team of John Ogier. Contemporary reports indicate that Surtees was coming up to lap Clark for the second time when Clark spun the Aston whilst moving to allow Surtees to pass. Surtees tried to avoid the Aston but hit it fair and square. Both cars ended up in a ditch but the drivers were unhurt. This was in fact the second major accident to befall 2VEV. After pressure from the factory John Ogier reluctantly allowed Equipe National Belge to borrow the car for Lucien Bianchi to drive at Spa on the 20th May 1962. Whilst in the lead on lap 3 of a 15 lap race Lucien crashed on what is believed to have been a wet and oil covered track. The car was completely wrecked and then taken back to the Aston factory at Feltham where the company rebuilt the car but incorporated various modifications. It was damaged again in the spring of 1993 when being driven home from a charity event by Nick Cusson who was driving the car on behalf of its owner Toni St John Hart. Taken back to the Aston factory the car was painstakingly rebuilt to 1963 specification. It may not surprise you to learn that 2VEVs first competitive outing had been the 1961 Le Mans 24 hour race where it ran with its sister car 1VEV.

As mentioned in Graham’s article this is Clive Beechams Ecurie Ecosse Long nose D-Type Jaguar which finished 2nd in the 1957 Le Mans 24 hour race. In this race D Types finished 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th. D Types had also won in 1955 and 1956. I am told that the original British racing green paint can be seen in places under the Ecosse Blue paint. Although it is not shown in the photo Clive also displayed the original seat that Mike Hawthorn used when setting the Silverstone lap record.

If you are going to display a C-Type Jaguar in Edinburgh then it has to be an Ecurie Ecosse example. This chassis 041, now owned by Bruce McCaw was raced extensively by Jimmy Stewart (the brother of Sir Jackie) during 1953. The first outing resulted in a 2nd place at Charterhall. Later co-driven by Roy Salvadori the car finished in second place at the 1000km race at the Nurburgring.

This 1979 BMW M1, owned by Bernard Carl is one of only 10 examples created by German specialist AHG. In 1982 Peter Gartmann, the head of AHG, decided to produce a limited edition model based on the Procar race versions but intended for road use. Each car produced was unique and this example has only covered 7000 km and remains in remarkable original condition. In addition to the racing bodywork the modifications also included adjustable racing suspension, wider wheels, racing clutch and exhaust and a 350 bhp straight six 343cc engine.

This Automobili Turismo et Sport 2500 GTS is one of just 8 cars that were completed. (12 chassis being built) and it is believed to be one of only 5 which remain. From the collection of David Gomez Da Costa.

Many times during the two days I spent at the Concours I would hear people commenting on the Ferrari shields on the engine cover. Many did not know that this 1932 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 short chassis Zagato Spider is an ex-Scuderia Ferrari car. The car was registered in Modena on the 6th April. A varied racing career followed before the car was returned to the Alfa Factory in 1935. The car found a new owner in 1939, a certain then up and coming racing driver by the name of Alberto Ascari. The car is now owned by Burkhard Von Schenk.

Princess Lilian de Rethy, the wife of King Leopold of Belgium liked Ferraris. This 330 GTC was her third example. Built in 1967 and designed by Pininfarina to match the Princess’s desire for a two-seater with delightfully sleek lines, the car’s most striking design feature being the wrap around rear screen with long flying buttresses. Enzo Ferrari said of the Princess “She is a beautiful and lively lady with a colorful character. I had the feeling she knew everything that a woman should know, only better”. Good old Enzo! Ultimately four examples were built, the second example being built for a prominent heart surgeon friend of the Princess.

This 1968 late model 275GTB/4 is owned by Nigel Allen. It is an all matching numbers car and was the winner of the best in class and best in show at the 2011 Ferrari owners club UK concours. It also won best in class at the 2012 Salon Prive event and the club trophy at last year’s Hampton Court Concours. A beautiful example which has not been over restored.

This 1958 250 TDF owned by John Bentley is the 70th example of the 90 built. It was delivered in August 1958 to Los Angeles for the film director Bill Sturgis. Bill enjoyed car racing and raced the car at Laguna Seca, Riverside, Palm Springs, Pomona and others during 1959.

Shown for the first time on the Bertone stand at the 1961 Geneva Motor show this unique Aston Martin DB4GT nicknamed “the Jet” is also another jewel from the pen of Giorgetto Giugiaro. Th car was commissioned by Aston Martin and was built on the last DB4GT chassis of the production line. Following its restoration by Aston Martin the car has gone on to win 12 major awards including best in class at Pebble Beach.

Bugatti Type 57C Gangloff Drophead Coupe. The best story to come out of the show was connected to this car. Ordered from the Bugatti showroom in Nice in 1938 by Commander HRA Kidston RN whilst on shore leave from his Motor Torpedo boat this unique Gangloff bodied Type 57C was collected by the commander from the Paris showroom the following spring and then shipped to England. Commander Kidston kept the car until 1955, replacing it with a Gullwing Mercedes. Commander Kidston’s son, Simon the well know purvey of some of the worlds greatest cars has only recently reacquired the car. Just prior to leaving for Scotland Simon found the spare key to the Bugatti that his father kept in his old desk. Upon arrival at the Palace Simon inserted the key and the Bugatti started.

This 1922 Delage CO2 4.5 liter Dual Cowl Tourer of Geoffrey Minter is believed to be one of only nine remaining CO2 Grand Sports known in the world. Of the 200 built many had stately coachwork but 80 were Grand Sports like this example. The boat tailed body with its concealed hood is made of aluminium. It is believed that many were scrapped to obtain the aluminium content.

Laurentiu Stratulat’s 1964 Ghia Spider G230S Prototipo is a unique car based on Fiat 2300 components and built on an advanced Ghia designed chassis . The car was imported into Spain in 1966 especially for display at the Barcelona Motor Show. The car caused a sensation, then disappeared. This year’s Concours was the cars first outing since being fully restored by Carrozzeria Cognolato of Milan. The design is believed to have come from the pen of Giugario. The design was proposed to Fiat for production but they declined. Ghia went on to produce the similar 450SS model powered by a large Chrysler V8.

Simon Kidston showing Dario Franchitti a photograph of the Type 57 in front of his family home parked next to his father’s Alfa Romeo 8C Le Mans, Bugatti T51, Hotchkiss, and BMW 327 and motor bike.

This Star Gordon Bennett Racer is one of two constructed in 1905 by the Star Engineering Company of Wolverhampton to complete in the British Gordon Bennett Cup elimination trials held that year on the dirt tracks of the Isle of Man. The car was driven to fourth place by the then unknown racer Harry Goodwin, his first major race. The car was sold to the Maharao of Kotah India around 1907 or 1908 thus becoming the first racing car in India. The car returned to England in 1971 where it was fully restored. It remains in perfect working order under the care of its owner Herman Layher 110 years after the Isle of Man Trials.