The London Concours – the capital’s ultimate summer automotive garden party – has crowned its Best in Show winner for 2024 in front of record crowds at the Honourable Artillery Company. An ultra-rare, 1994 Lamborghini Diablo SE30 prototype, was awarded this year’s coveted main prize, coming out on top in a field of over 80 exquisite motor cars – from blue-chip classics to modern day hypercars and motorsport legends. Set in a five-acre oasis of green close to Bank, the event’s eighth edition has played host to the most incredible collection of vehicles ever gathered in the City.
This year’s victorious Lamborghini is a Diablo with a difference, a raging bull from Sant’Agata made even angrier thanks to specially developed prototype supercharger upgrade. The car was spawned thanks to the creativity and passion of the team at Lamborghini Hoecker in Landau, Germany who worked in collaboration with the Lamborghini factory in Italy to bring the project to fruition. It is one of, if not the most, potent Diablos ever created, with 634bhp from its feral supercharged V12 – up from 525bhp in the standard car, more than even the defining hypercar of the ‘90s: the McLaren F1. The Diablo’s current owner is known to enjoy exercising the car on the German autobahn, regularly hitting 225+ mph in the process.
The Diablo supercharger conversion certainly wasn’t cheap, costing the original owner some 200,000 Deutsch Marks in 1994 – 180,000 Euros in today’s money. Other upgrades included brakes taken from the McLaren F1, a specially adapted ECU to make the most of the supercharger, a carbon intake – and a 400km/h speedometer. Resplendent in its deep purple paint, this is a one-of-a-kind automotive masterpiece, and a worthy winner.
Elsewhere the Chairman of the Judges, Peter Read, handed the Chairman’s Award to an iconic Formula 1 car with a distinctive, very ‘70s, livery: the Penthouse sponsored Hesketh 308E. Designed by Frank Dernie and Nigel Stroud, the 308E was powered by one of the greatest racing engines of the era; the Cosworth DFV 3.0-litre V8 allied to a Hewland FGA400 five-speed gearbox. It was the racy livery of the Hesketh’s sponsors that captured most attention, depicting a ‘Penthouse Pet’ from the popular men’s magazine, cuddling a packet of Rizla cigarette papers.
Other classes with awards included the Legendary V12s category, a class celebrating British Racing heroes from 1960 onwards, as well as a retrospective looking at the wonderful creations of Zagato over the years.
Beyond the cars, guests have been able to enjoy to gourmet food and the finest champagne from Veuve Cliquot, as well as a range of boutiques from leading luxury brands. Further excitement has been provided by the Iconic Auctioneers Luxury Lifestyle Auction, and a stellar lineup of carefully curated live stage panel discussions.
Andrew Evans, London Concours director, said: “We’re in the privileged position of having already established the London Concours as a must-attend event in the summer calendar, but we never rest on our laurels. In recent years we’ve expanded from a two-day into a three-day event, transformed our luxurious hospitality and evolved more and more content for visitors to enjoy. A rotating selection of automotive celebrations, in addition to nine classes and a live Lifestyle Auction by Iconic Auctioneers drew in more visitors to the London Concours than ever before.”
The last day of the London Concours is Thursday 6th June. Tickets are available only online from londonconcours.co.uk/tickets
Full List of 2024 Winners
Best in Show – 1994 Lamborghini Diablo SE30 Supercharged Prototype
Chairman’s Award – Hesketh 308E
Great British Racing, Presented by Hilton & Moss – 1986 Jaguar XJR-9
Highly Commended – 1967 Ford Escort Mk1
Highly Commended – 1986 MG Metro 6R4
Carnaby Street, Presented by Intapp – 1977 Aston Martin DB6 Vantage Volante
Highly Commended – 1970 Ferrari 365 GTC
Highly Commended – 1961 Harrington Le Mans
Coachbuilt Greats – Zagato, Presented by DRVN – 2001 Ferrari 550 GTZ Barchetta
Highly Commended – 1991 Alfa Romeo SZ
Highly Commended – 1960 Bristol 406 Zagato
Purple Reign, Presented by Magneto – 1994 Lamborghini Diablo SE30 Supercharged
Highly Commended – 1970 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 ‘Daytona’
1973 Porsche 911 2.7 RS Touring
The Hypercars, Presented by Apollo Capital – 2023 Ferrari SP3 Daytona
Highly Commended – 2006 Porsche Carrera GT
Highly Commended – 2015 Jaguar C-X75
Corvette – A Design Icon, Presented by Classic & Sports Car and The Classic Corvette Club UK – 1971 Chevrolet Corvette C3 Stingray LT-1
Highly Commended – 1963 Chevrolet Corvette C2 Split Screen Coupe
Highly Commended – 2006 Chevrolet Corvette C6 Z06
Aero Front Enlightened, Sponsored by Concours of Elegance – 1973 De Tomaso Pantera GTS Group 4
Highly Commended – 1967 Lamborghini Miura P400
Highly Commended – 1969 Maserati Ghibli Spyder
The Legendary V12, presented by EMM London Private Office – 1999 Ferrari F50
Highly Commended – 1972 The Beast
Highly Commended – 2017 Aston Martin V12 Vantage S
Wild Cards, presented by Adrian Flux – 2007 TVR Scamander Amphibious
Highly Commended – 1966 Iso Grifo GL350
Highly Commended – 1958 Mercedes-Benz 220 S ‘Pontoon’ Cabriolet
Classic & Sports Car Editor’s Award – 1966 Iso Grifo GL350
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