As we have said over the last couple of years, the Heveningham Concours in Suffolk is perhaps one of the best-kept secrets of the British motoring summer season – and it is very much becoming a growing season these days – what with the annual Goodwood Festival of Speed now firmly entrenched in the motoring event calendar, Salon Privé at Blenheim Palace at the beginning of September, Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court also taking place that same week and the second Royal Automobile Club Concours in the beautiful grounds of Woodcote Park in Surrey, which took place this month.
This year’s event was once again held in conjunction with the long-established Heveningham Hall Country Fair, where thousands of guests, collectors and enthusiasts enjoyed an impressive display of classic cars and aircraft sharing the picturesque grounds with local produce and rustic traditions.
This year the show marked 130 years of motoring history, including the oldest vehicle ever exhibited at Heveningham Concours, a 1898 Peugeot Type 15 Double Phaeton, alongside a collection that ranged from pioneering road cars and bikes to historically significant competition machines. There were also some more contemporary interpretations of automotive designs for visitors to enjoy.
The entries at Heveningham this year reflected the remarkable diversity of automotive, motorcycle and aviation history with highlights that included Richard Tuthill’s acclaimed 911K road car alongside the Tuthill-built Safari rally car fresh from its victory at this year’s Safari Rally Kenya. Then there was an exceptionally well preserved 1973 Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser that has just 400 miles on the clock from new. And a beautifully restored 1966 Ferrari 330 GTC is just one example of the extraordinary provenance behind many of this year’s entrants with its remarkable journey from Switzerland to Venezuela and eventual return to Britain.
Another highlight this year was the fabulous 1978 Suzuki RG500 XR22A owned by Freddie Sheene, Barry Sheene’s son.
The event also has a charitable purpose, with entrants and visitors invited to support the East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) as it looks to establish a new operational base, reinforcing Heveningham’s longstanding commitment to ensure that the weekend also benefits the wider local community.
An integral part of the show is the aviation programme with two impressive DC-3s on display on the front lawn of Heveningham Hall, reinforcing the close relationship between automotive and aviation heritage that has become a hallmark of this annual event.
And of course, there were plenty of flying demonstrations with the beautiful estate providing a spectacular backdrop along with the cars powering up Horsepower Hill. And this year it was a Porsche Taycan Weissach driven by Gary Lambert that took the top honours at a speed of 127mph with a Ferrari SF90 XX coming a close second with a top speed of 124mph.
This year’s distinguished international judging panel was chaired by Max Hunt. It included automotive designer Peter Stevens, racing driver Marino Franchitti, designer Mai Ikuzawa, historic motoring specialist Roger Bennington, automotive designer Romulus Rost and Royal College of Art designer Harry Charlesworth.
They assessed each entry for historical significance, originality, provenance, presentation, craftsmanship and design excellence.
This year’s winners included a 1928 Bugatti Type 37A in the Pioneers and Pre-War category while a 1964 ATS 2500 GTS, owned by Nick and Shelley Schorsch of the Audrain Collection won the Mid-Century (1946–1965) category.
In the Post-Modern (1966–1999) category a 1966 Ferrari 330 GTC took the top prize, while a 1989 Ferrari F40, owned by Nick Mason and 2008 Bugatti Veyron 16.4, owned by Chris Wilson took top honours in the Performance Supercar and Hypercar category. A 1973 Porsche 911 RSR ‘Safari’ won the Race and Rally category while Freddie Sheene’s 1978 Suzuki RG500 XR22A won in the Motorcycles category. The Best in Show winner went to a 1929 Bentley Blower No. 1 and the Chairman’s Choice was a 1932 Bentley 8 Litre Saloon by HJ Mulliner and a 1990/2026 Singer DLS Turbo.
The Hanna Aviation Trophy winner was a 1944 De Havilland – DH.89A Dragon Rapide. The runner up was a 1944 North American Aviation – P-51D Mustang, while a 1940 Bücker – Bü 133C Jungmeister got an honourable mention.
Lois Hunt, the Chairman and Founder of Heveningham Concours, commented:
“A huge thank you to our distinguished panel of judges, as well as to all our car owners and visitors. They all make the Concours what it is today, and their presence is instrumental in ensuring that we can donate generously to community organizations like the East Anglian Air Ambulance: a hugely valuable organisation that is raising money to build a new facility near Newmarket.”
For more information please visit: www.heveninghamconcours.com. And if you only get the chance to go to one motoring event next year, then make it this one, as the whole unique atmosphere of Heveningham is what makes it so special.
Author Bio:
Simon Burrell is a UK-based motoring and travel journalist and editor, a member of the Guild of Motoring Writers and former saloon car racing driver.
Photographs courtesy of Heveningham Concours
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