A Rolls-Royce known as ‘The Phantom of Love’ has been crowned Best in Show at the 2025 Concours of Elegance held at Hampton Court Palace over the weekend of 5-7 September.
The 1926 Rolls-Royce was created as a gift from Clarence Gasque to his wife, Maude, and was fitted out with one of the most extravagant interiors ever created for an automobile.
As well as polished wood panelling and gilt decoration, the Rolls-Royce Phantom I’s interior has a rear seat upholstered in the finest tapestries and lighting holders adorned with cherubs. There’s also a drinks cabinet and demi-line vanities either side of the rear compartment that contain 18th century English enamel boxes. There is even a French ormolu clock.
Sadly, Clarence Gasque died only 18 months after commissioning the car from coachbuilder Charles Clark & Sons at a cost of £6500. The car was then put into storage in 1937 where it remained until 1952, when it passed to noted Rolls-Royce collector Stanley Sears. The car was sold on again in 1986 and has since been in the hands of Japanese, American and Australian collections.
James Brooks-Ward, Concours of Elegance CEO, said: ‘The legendary Phantom of Love is a uniquely captivating automotive creation, a unique machine that is on a par with any truly valuable work of applied art. Our curatorial team is known for securing the world’s rarest and most significant motor cars to our event, but even by their lofty standards, this is a real coup.’
Image courtesy of Tim Scott, Concours of Elegance
Full List of Winners
Decade winners
Pre-1920s
1st: 1914 Bugatti Type 13 Eight Valve
2nd: 1912 Packard Model 48 Phaeton
1920s
1st: 1924 Hispano-Suiza H6C ‘Boulogne’ Short Chassis Saloon
2nd: 1929 Bentley 4½ Litre Drophead 3-Position Coupe
3rd: 1926 Rally Grand Sport Type S
1930s
1st: 1939 Lagonda V12 Rapide DHC by James Young
2nd: 1936 Delahaye 135 M Roadster
3rd: 1932 Aston Martin LM8
1940s
1st: 1940 Bugatti Type 57 Atalante
2nd: 1947 Delahaye 135 MS Roadster
3rd: 1949 Aston Martin Two-Litre Sports (DB1)
1950s
1st: 1957 BMW 507
2nd: 1955 Aston Martin DB3S Coupe
3rd: 1956 AC Ace Bristol
1960s
1st: 1962 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder
2nd: 1961 Ghia L 6.4 Coupe
3rd: 1966 Ferrari 330 GTC
1970s
1st: 1972 Iso Grifo Series II
2nd: 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.8 RSR
3rd: 1973 Ligier JS2
1980s
1st: 1988 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante Prince of Wales
2nd: 1984 Ferrari 288 GTO
3rd: 1980 BMW M1
Future Classics
1st: 1994 Bugatti EB110 America
2nd: 2025 Ferrari SP3 Daytona Carbon
3rd: 2007 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Coupe
SPECIAL CLASS AWARDS:
Formula 1 Class
1st: 1956 Maserati 250F
2nd: 1977 Tyrrell P34
3rd: 1988 Ferrari 639 F1
Ferrari Class
1st: 1990 Ferrari F40 LM
2nd: 1951 Ferrari 212 Export Vignale Barchetta
3rd: 1952 Ferrari 212 Inter Coupe Pininfarina
1950s Sports Racing Car Class
1st: 1955 Aston Martin DB3S Coupe
2nd: 1953 Ferrari 250 MM Vignale Spyder Series II
3rd: 1955 Jaguar D-Type
The Chairman’s Award
1934 Packard 1108 Twelve Convertible Saloon
Spirit of Motoring Award
1924 Hispano-Suiza H6C ‘Boulogne’ Short Chassis Saloon
Manufacturer Award
1930 Bentley 8-litre Weymann Saloon
Gooding Christies’ Award
1956 Maserati 250F
The Club Trophy, presented by the Royal Automobile Club
1952 Aston Martin DB2 Graber Drophead Coupe
The Levitt Concours
1904 Peugeot Type 64B
ThirtyUnder30
1983 Toyota Sprinter Carib
Bentley Trophy
2000 Bentley Continental T
Best Car Club Award, presented by Classic & Sports Car
Saturday – 1982 Rolls Royce Camargue
Sunday – 1971 Marcos GT 3.0-litre
