The Concours of Elegance has underlined its reputation as a gathering of the world’s rarest cars and finest global brands with an all-new long-term relationship with the world’s leading automotive auction house, Gooding & Company.
Gooding & Company returns to the Concours of Elegance for the start of the new sponsorship in 2021, having hosted a record-breaking auction at the event last year. In 2020, the ‘Passion of a Lifetime’ auction presented for viewing a selection of automotive masterpieces from a revered private collection. These vehicles represented a meticulous commitment to bringing together the most coveted and valuable examples of European sports and racing automobiles of the 20th century.
David Gooding, President and Founder, Gooding & Company, said: “We are elated to announce our new, multi-year sponsorship of the Concours of Elegance and broaden our reach as an international auction house. We are proud to partner with James Brooks-Ward and his team, and following last year’s highly successful inaugural auction at the Hampton Court Palace, we are confident in the long-term trajectory of this joint endeavor.”
James Brooks-Ward, Concours of Elegance CEO, said: “From our venue to our cars to our partners, we hand-pick each and every aspect of the Concours of Elegance. Gooding & Company share the same dedication to the rarest cars in the world as us. David Gooding has been a great supporter and we’re delighted to align our two businesses even more closely, further building the stature of the Concours of Elegance among the world of elite global automotive events.”
As ever, the Concours of Elegance is focused on gathering a collection of cars so spectacularly rare that visitors won’t be able to see them anywhere else in the world. In fact, some of the cars will never have been seen in the UK before, marking a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many visitors. In total, around 1,000 cars will be on display in a number of special features, including a Gulf vs. Martini celebration, a display of unique or bespoke modern rarities in the Future Classics class and a line-up of the finest coachbuilt Rolls-Royces. New for 2021 is a collection of 95 British cars gathered to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s 95th birthday, and a 30UNDER30 Concours aimed at inspiring the next-generation of classic car enthusiasts.
Away from the automotive displays is a collection of more of the Concours of Elegance’s world-leading luxury partners, with champagne provided by Charles Heidsieck, picnics by Fortnum & Mason, live stage interviews with Chubb Insurance, hosted by Jodie Kidd, and a collection of art, jewellery and fashion displays. Presenting Partner, A. Lange & Söhne, recently confirmed their support for a long term partnership and will continue to showcase some of its most intricate timepieces.
Tickets to the Concours of Elegance 2021 are available now, with full three-course hospitality packages from £288. Tickets can be bought HERE.
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.
