Cars

A chunk of BMW history

Bugatti’s first eight-cylinder car, the Type 30 bridged the earlier four-cylinder Type 22s and Type 23s with the formidably successful Type 35 Grand Prix cars, which are now widely considered to be the quintessential pre-War racers. 

Rather fittingly – and we’re sure not coincidentally – the catalogue for Bonhams’ Goodwood Revival sale, which takes place on 8 September at the world’s most famous historic motorsport meeting, is teeming with British classics. For smiles-per-mile, we’re not sure there’s a better offering than the pretty little 1959 Austin-Healey Sprite Roadster, estimated at just £7,000–10,000. 

Shortly before the ‘Grand Arrival’ of 60 of the world’s rarest and most desirable cars, His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent arrived at Hampton Court Palace behind the wheel of his Bentley Blower, closely tailed by his security detail. It’s this connection to the Royal family that makes the Concours of Elegance feel so special, not to mention the palace itself, whose picturesque gardens are every bit as pruned and pampered as the exquisite collector cars competing in the concours.