One of the unexpected delights of 2010 was the new Chelsea AutoLegends event, at the Royal Hospital Chelsea. Plans are already well under way for a much-expanded 2011 event, on Sunday 4 September, on the theme of ‘The Swinging Sixties’.

The Sixties theme is particularly appropriate, given the location of the Royal Hospital. It’s very close to the Kings Road in London, widely thought to be the spiritual home of the decade’s fashion revolution. The event will again showcase ‘the very best of the past and present’, with displays of iconic historic, competition and supercars – and all within the relaxed garden party atmosphere of the famous hospital grounds. It will also continue to raise funds for the hospital’s residents, the Chelsea Pensioners.

Le Mans cars will still be a core component of the event but this time with the spotlight focused on the race cars of the Sixties, including Ferrari GTO and Ford GT40. Chelsea AutoLegends will also celebrate the era’s ‘Patrons’ – celebrated private owners such as Rob Walker, John Coombs, Sir Tommy Sopwith and Colonel Ronnie Hoare, who entered cars in F1, Le Mans and sportscar races, to be driven by the likes of Graham Hill, Innes Ireland and Stirling Moss.

As with so many other 2011 events, that Sixties icon, the Jaguar E-type, will be a central feature of the show in this, the car’s 50th anniversary year. Plus there will be modern supercars, with the 267mph Bugatti Veyron Super Sport already confirmed.

“It’s fair to say that we were all bowled over by the universally positive response to the first Chelsea AutoLegends,” said Eric Verdon-Roe, the event’s Chairman. “More than five thousand people savoured what was a truly remarkable display of automotive history and feedback has been incredibly supportive. Far from resting on our laurels, we are now announcing what’s going to be an even more exciting show for this September.”

Further details of other highlights will be confirmed in the coming weeks but tickets are already on sale, either via the event’s new website www.ChelseaAutoLegends.com or from the ticket hotline, on +44 (0)844 581 0760.

You can read our review of the 2010 event elsewhere on Classic Driver.

Text: Steve Wakefield
Photos: Classic Driver / Chelsea Autolegends - all strictly copyright