The Porsche 917K driven by Steve McQueen in the film Le Mans is one highlight of a group of endurance racing legends at the 2018 Hampton Court Palace Concours of Elegance, scheduled for 31 August to 2 September at the Hampton Court Palace in London.
The Porsche 917K was more than just a silver screen star. Despite being damaged during filming for Le Mans, it was rebuilt using another chassis and went on to win at Daytona, Monza, the Osterreichring, Spa and Monthlery in 1971.
Visitors to the 2018 Concours of Elegance will also have the chance to see the Mercedes CLK LM. The LM was based on the CLK GTR, which won the FIA GT Championship in both 1997 and 1998, but with a few choice revisions. Fitted with a V8 thought to be more suited to prolonged speeds than the GTR’s V12 to, as well as a new aerodynamic package, it was honed specifically for 24 hours of racing at Le Mans. However, despite the two cars qualifying in 1st and 3rd during the 1997 Le Mans 24 Hours, both retired with engine failure.
No motorsport celebration would be complete without the Ford GT40, and Concours of Elegance will be bringing a Gulf-liveried car, which competed in the Competition Sports Cars category with a 4.7-litre engine during 1968. This car was raced by Paul Hawkins and David Hobbs to fourth place at the Spa 1000km race in May of that year.
Concours of Elegance Director, Andrew Evans, said: “We believe at the Concours of Elegance that every car has a story, and these incredible racing cars each have quite the tale to tell. From Hollywood film stars, to grueling motorsport victories, there’s a reason that each and every one of these cars is instantly recognisable to motor racing fans all over the world. And we’re privileged enough to have them all in one place, gathered at Hampton Court Palace among a selection of the rarest cars ever created.”
For more information, visit ConcoursOfElegance.co.uk.
[Source: Concours of Elegance]
