The second Royal Automobile Club Concours built on the success of its award-winning debut at Woodcote Park, with a 1953 Jaguar C-type taking the coveted Best in Show title after a day celebrating some of the finest collector cars and motorcycles in Britain. Judged by a panel that included Ian Callum CBE, Peter Stevens and Richard Hammond, the concours featured seven themed classes spanning everything from pre-war masterpieces to competition cars and landmark grand tourers.
The overall winner was a particularly significant Jaguar C-type owned by Tony Purnell, restored to the Finnish racing colours it wore during its early competition career in Scandinavia. A full feature on the C-type will appear in a forthcoming edition of Octane.
Among the class winners were a 1985 Lamborghini Countach 5000 QV, recognised in the ‘Spoiler Alert’ category, and a Martini-liveried 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.8 RSR that won the Targa Florio class. Another Lamborghini, a 1966 400 GT 2+2, claimed the V12 Engines award, while a 1930 Bentley Six Saloon topped the Pre-War Masterpieces category. Motorcycles were equally well represented, with a 1932 Rudge Works 500cc – once owned by Murray Walker – taking class honours.
Special awards completed the day’s judging, with a beautifully preserved 1926 Amilcar CO Martin Le Mans receiving The Macallan Spirit of the Show, while the dramatic 1970 Plymouth Superbird claimed the Chairman’s Choice award.
Beyond the concours lawn, several special displays added further interest, including a celebration marking 100 years since the Royal Automobile Club organised Britain’s first Grand Prix at Brooklands brought together machinery spanning a century of Grand Prix racing, from a factory Delage that competed in the inaugural 1926 event to the McLaren Formula 1 car that secured the 2025 Constructors’ Championship. The Club’s historic British Grand Prix Trophy was also displayed, freshly engraved with Charles Leclerc’s name following his Silverstone victory.
Other anniversary displays celebrated Mercedes-Benz, Daimler, Lagonda and Lancia, while Sir Henry Segrave’s 1926 Sunbeam ‘Tiger’ land speed record car provided another focal point. The event also hosted the world premiere of Niels van Roij Design’s striking Daytona Shooting Brake Hommage, while RM Sotheby’s staged its Summer Sale on the adjoining Cedar Lawn, further reinforcing the Royal Automobile Club Concours as one of the highlights of the British concours calendar.
2026 Royal Automobile Club Concours winners
| Best in Show | 1953 Jaguar C-type (Tony Purnell) |
| Shooting Brakes | 1937 Ford V8 Woody (Guy Barnes) |
| The Woodcote Trophy | 1939 HRG 1.5 Litre (Michael Kershaw) |
| Pre-War Masterpieces | 1930 Bentley Six Saloon (David Little) |
| Spoiler Alert | 1985 Lamborghini Countach 5000 QV (Mike Pullen) |
| Targa Florio | 1973 Porsche Carrera 2.8 RSR (Private Collection) |
| V12 Engines | 1966 Lamborghini 400 GT 2+2 (Rory McGregor) |
| Motorcycles | 1932 Rudge Works 500cc (Mike Farrall) |
| The Macallan Spirit of the Show | 1926 Amilcar CO Martin Le Mans (Private Collection) |
| Chairman’s Choice | 1970 Plymouth Superbird (Private Collection) |
| CARS Supercar Boulevard Award | Ferrari F488 Pista Piloti (Robert Friedrich) |
| Lockton & Chubb Members’ Paddock Award | Ferrari 365 GT4 2+2 (Anthony Rimaldi) |
