Concours of Elegance, Hampton Court Palace 2014 Gallery 1

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Concours of Elegance, Hampton Court Palace 2014 Gallery 1 Photos and Stories.

2014 year's theme, "Fountain and Ferrari's" 2014-09-05 - 2014-09-07, East Molesey, London, UK

Photos and story provided by Mark J. Willison Contact Photographer for Information.

GALLERY 1

GALLERY 2

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Concours of Elegance, Hampton Court Palace 2014 Gallery 1

"Fountains and Ferrari's": The Hampton Court Concours of Elegance: Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey, Surrey KT8 9AU.

The history of Hampton Court, "Henry VIII's Pleasure Palace" is a fascinating one. The original Manor House was bought by Thomas Wolsey in 1514 from the Order of St John of Jerusalem. Wolsey built for 280 rooms for guests and 500 staff as he became religious advisor to his monarch, as Cardinal and Lord Chancellor of England. As Wolsey fell from favour, he presented the palace to Henry VIII in an attempt to regain the kings' favour and position. It turned out to be in vain, as all Wolsey's property and chattels were forfeited to the crown.

Henry moved in immediately, and began on a massive rebuild of the site, resulting in the Jacobean wonder that we see today, including, courtyards, kitchens, galleries a new library and a guardroom were added. Designed by Nicholas Ousian the famous Astronomical Clock in 1540 was set into Wolsey's gateway, but renamed by Henry in honour of his second wife, Anne Boleyn. Henry also, supervised the laying out of the gardens and stocking the extensive park with game. The location of the palace was also a useful location, on the banks of the Thames, the motorway of its day, accessing London by royal barge to the Tower of London.

Elisabeth I first came to use Hampton Court as a primary residence a year after her accession in 1559. Rare plants were bought back of the New World, by Hawkins, Drake and Ralegh and presented to the monarch at the Palace. She also imprisoned her sister, Queen Mary in Wolsey's lodgings, and her fate was decided by council at the palace.

Elisabeth always celebrated Christmas the Palace with much feasting, masques balls, masquerades, shooting, stag hunting, tilting and coursing. Real tennis, a lose definition being a mixture of tennis and squash on the indoor court built by her father. Plays were performed in The Great Hall employing small armies of tailors, carpenters, silk weavers and upholsters. It's the oldest surviving theatre in England.

James I acceded in 1603 and brought his Danish wife to Hampton Court. James was determined to continue the festive atmosphere at the palace; his Queen was a keen actress. The plays of Shakespear were performed within a thirty play extravaganza with a young Inigo Jones designing and building the scenery.

James was succeeded by his son, Charles I in 1625 and again Hampton Court became the royal residence with his wife, sister of the French monarch, Louis XIII. James was responsible for remodelling a number of State Rooms and the redesign of the gardens. Charles was a great art collector and brought porcelain, sculptures, ivory, crystal and some 400 pictures, according to a catalogue produced in 1639. Charles also used the palace as a refuge from the English Civil War (1633-42) and was imprisoned at the Palace prior to his demise at Whitehall 30th Jan 1649.

After the reformation, Charles II restored the Palace, following nine years of rule by the Protector Oliver Cromwell following his death in 1658, who interestingly, chose Hampton Court as his primary place of residence. Evelyn and Pepys visited often, and Lely made portraits of ladies escaping the great plague of 1665. Paintings from other palaces, nearer to London were exiled to the Palace during the Great Fire of 1666.

It is also worth noting that Charles II's youngest son was given the title of the first Earl of March, who needless to say, has Goodwood as their family seat.

James II, in 1688, embarked on a major rebuilding scheme at the Palace, creating Fountain Court and replacing Henry's state apartments in the French Renaissance style, with Sir Christopher Wren who was appointed as Architect and Surveyor of Works, to create a 'new Versailles'. Fortunately, the planned redevelopment of the entire palace never came to fruition due to lack of funds. The now demolished Bentalls department store at Kingston upon Thames, was built to echo the style of architecture of the James II wing.

George II was the last royal family to use Hampton Court as their primary residence in 1727, continuing the tradition of hunting in the grounds and entertaining.

George III, solved the age old problem of uninvited guests lodging at the Palace by granting 'grace and favour' apartments to retired royal staff, a tradition that continues to this day.

In 1851 Queen Victoria opened the Palace to the public on certain days on "free and without restriction" basis.

The Department of the Environment is now responsible for the upkeep of the buildings fabric and presents it in such wonderful condition.

According to my Dad, I came into being in a nursing home, just across the road from the Palace as we lived at Thames Ditton, home of A.C. cars. Dad, and his best school friend celebrated my birth in the Mute Swan on the approach to Hampton Bridge. So, I snuck in there for a glass half way through my visit, just to see what the place is like?

The Cars:
The Patron of the event, HRH Prince Michael of Kent, welcomed us to the event, being a great motoring enthusiast. The event, now in its third year, chooses a Royal Palace as an event venue, previously visiting Windsor Castle and St. James Palace on the Mall. The entry list, restricted to just 60 cars, showcases the very best in coach building through the history of the motor car.

One of the key objective of the Concours of Elegance is to raise, to date, over £300 000 for charities' working for cancer care.

As my photographs of the event illustrate, the palace, trees and fountains provide the most agreeable backdrop to some amazing examples celebrating the art of coach building for the motor car past and present:

2014 Concours of Elegance, Hampton Court Palace Poster was provided courtesy of artist Anna-Louise Felstead, who is now located in the USA.

A very Royal setting for this years "Fountains and Ferrari's"

Many show visitors like to just enjoy the day surrounded by fantastic 'Automotive Art'.

A collection of Aston Martins, one of the best know names in the automotive world

"Then" and "Now"

Bentley 3L Vanden Plas Speed Model 1926

A color of Ferrari right out of 'Hollywood'?

Iso Bizzarrini A3C 1964

Various ways to 'look' at a Bently

An excellent use of the long promenade

Well placed cars allowing good viewing

Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Touring 1931 Flying Star

Aston Martin

Aston Martin DB4GT Light Weight 1959

A rare alloy-bodied 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Coupe was the overall winner of the inaugural Public Choice vote. This car was one of just 29 alloy Gullwings built, from a total of 1,400 300 SLs - the others being steel-bodied cars.

Siata 8V 208 CS Bertone Spider Corsa 1953

Bentley 3L Vanden Plas Speed Model 1926

Extra Terrestrial Vehicle ETV 2008
A custom build created by Mike Vetter and his Florida-based company, 'The Car Factory'. Built on a Chevrolet Ave