As far as the eye could see, the gravel driveways of the Great Fountain Garden at Hampton Court Palace were lined with the rarest, most beautiful and, in some cases, loudest motor cars ever to turn a wheel.

The historic, storied cars had travelled from all four corners of the world, gathered for one of the summer season’s most spectacular garden parties, the Concours ofElegance, [https://concoursofelegance.co.uk/] where champagne corks pop and photographer’s flashguns pop, as the great and the good from the historic car scene parade their wares.

It was heartening to see. Custodianship and craftsmanship were on display for us car enthusiasts to appreciate, as owners shared cars that – for the most part – had been subject to nut-and-bolt restorations.

The Best in Show winner was chosen by the Concourscar owners themselves. A 1937 Rolls-Royce Phantom III Convertible by Inskip, it was the last large Rolls-Royce launched before World War II and proved to be the final car with significant input from Henry Royce.

Its rarity was not that it was a Phantom III – 727 were made in period. Instead, it was one of a small number to be built in the USA, and this particular Phantom III – 3CP18 – boasted a unique convertible coupé body designed by Carl Beck of Brewster and built by John S Inskip.

Inskip was a significant figure for Rolls-Royce in America, leading sales at its New York office and from 1929 taking charge of national sales and responsibility for coachbuilding operations. The Phantom III is an imposing, three and a half ton  7.3-litre V12-powered machine was originally owned by philanthropist Colonel Joseph Samuels of Rhode Island. Nearly 100 years later, here it was at Hampton Court Palace, impressing the 14,000 visitors to the show.

This wasn’t the first time the lovingly restored Phantom III had taken awards. Yet it’s not as if there was a shortage of competition.

The world's rarest cars

A 1937 Talbot-Lago T150 C SS New York Teardrop was a particular favourite, and the judges seemed to agree, as it won its 1930s category. I also couldn’t take my eyes of the exquisite paintwork of another1930s entrant, a 1938 Bentley 4¼litre Barouche de Ville by James Young.

Two cars I could perhaps better appreciate, however, given the smaller age gap, were the 1974 BMW 3.0 CSL, and the original 1973 concept car for Porsche’s 911 Turbo – which you read about here. Both were born out of an era when giant, bold steps were being taken in motor racing.

What all these cars had in common was a custodian or family who truly appreciated what it means to care for some of the rarest cars in the world. Doubtless many had poured no insignificant number of days and weeks into researching and fully understanding their car’s place in history. And for some there then followed the more painful task of selecting a marque specialist and embarking on a restoration that would require total commitment – especially from their bank balance.

And now what? Once the season is over, the champagne finished and the winner’s silverware is safely returned home, what happens to the cars?

Many reside within mind-blowing collections, where a team of people tend to their every need.

Others will be cared for by professionals, like Racing GreenCar Storage, where the humidity levels are set to perfectly preserve these automotive works of art.

By choosing to place perfectly preserved cars of the sortgathered at the 2024 Concours of Elegance with a professional storage provider,owners can be reassured that all the research, craftsmanship, money and, mostof all, passion that has been poured into these cars will not go to ruin themoment the car is entrusted to a third party.

They will be kept in an environment that has been purpose-designed to care for special motor cars, with people who understand the needs of the car and respect the wishes of the owner.

Such an approach to care is just as applicable to the latest hypercars, like the 2023 Aston Martin DBR-22 which won the Future Classics class at the Concours of Elegance, as it is a century-old survivor like the Rolls-RoycePhantom III Convertible by Inskip.

Preserving originality preserves the authenticity of any artefact in decades to come. And that could be key to it one day winning a trophy of its own at events like the Concours of Elegance…

If you would like to know more about Racing Green’s services, or arrange for your rare car to be placed in our care, please speak with a member of the team, on 03330 909722, or email us at enquiries@racinggreencarstorage.co.uk