2018 Concours of Elegance in London – a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the finest car in the world

“World’s Finest Car” is Coming to 2018 Concours of Elegance in London

The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance ‘Best in Show’- winning 1929 Mercedes-Benz S Barker Tourer ‘Boat Tail’ – arguably the finest car in the world – is now confirmed for Concours of Elegance 2018.

This year’s high-end event, hosted at Hampton Court Palace from 31 August to 2 September, represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for visitors to see the award-winning Mercedes as it comes to the UK for the first time since 1958.

Based on the 1927 Mercedes S-Type, the unique ‘Boat Tail’ was one of the most powerful road-going automobiles in the world in period, developed as the perfect road-going, race capable car.

Originally owned by racing enthusiast and British Racing Drivers’ Club co-founder Earl Howe, this car was fitted with a revolutionary body which incorporated a lightweight and aerodynamic shell with unique aircraft-inspired aluminium side pods crafted by English coachbuilders Barker.

The unique historic car was a regular on tours, trials and competition events in the UK before new ownership in 1958 took it to America, where it has remained, and will remain, until it travels across the Atlantic for the Concours of Elegance from 31 August to 2 September.

The majority of Earl Howe’s unique specifications were all-but-lost until a host of photographs unearthed aspects of the original vehicles. They revealed the missing ‘Boat Tail’ – which had been removed by one of the car’s earlier owners – numerous reflective surfaces, custom touring luggage and a red spotlight which was given to Members of Parliament to alert other road users to their status. Upon disassembly patches of the Earl Howe’s signature Peacock Blue paint were also discovered, which has now been sympathetically recreated.

Visitors to this year’s Concours of Elegance will not only be treated to the unique ‘Boat Tail’ but to around 60 other extremely rare or unique vehicles in the Main Concours event. Telling the complete story of the motorcar, the Concours will begin with a 1903 Panhard et Levassor and finish with one of 2018’s most exclusive supercars.