The inaugural Bolesworth Concours has concluded with a Best in Show victory for a 1933 Standard Swallow SS1 Coupé, capping a successful debut for what aims to become a significant new fixture on the British concours calendar.
Held within the grounds of Bolesworth Castle in Cheshire as part of the Al Shira’aa Bolesworth International, the event brought together a carefully curated selection of cars spanning almost a century of automotive history. The organisers placed an emphasis on provenance, originality and historical significance – assembling a field that ranged from pre-war coachbuilt to competition legends.
Among the highlights were the ex-Clark Gable 1949 Jaguar XK120, the 1952 Stirling Moss Jaguar XK120, the exceptionally rare Bentley Mark V Corniche, the final right-hand-drive Aston Martin DB7 Zagato and a Lamborghini 400 GT Superleggera. Dedicated displays also celebrated Bentley through the ages, 100 years of Mercedes-Benz and the 25th anniversary of the Aston Martin Vanquish.
The judging panel was led by restoration specialist Iain Tyrrell and included Bentley board member Dr Matthias Rabe, designer Julian Thomson, Ferrari specialist Tony Willis and Bolesworth founder Nina Barbour. Together they assessed entries on provenance, originality, craftsmanship, design and historical importance.
Ultimately, it was Michael Jewell’s beautifully preserved Standard Swallow SS1 that captured the judges’ imagination. Having remained within the same family for more than 90 years, the car first won the Coachbuilt Masters class before being crowned Best in Show. The panel praised its remarkable originality, elegant proportions and exceptional provenance, recognising it as an important chapter in the story of William Lyons and the origins of Jaguar.
Elsewhere, Anthony Thompson’s 1927 Bentley 6½ Litre Doctors Coupé won Bentley Through the Ages, while Nigel Griffiths’ Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing topped the Mercedes-Benz: A Century of Excellence category. The 1952 Jaguar XK120 raced by Stirling Moss claimed British Sporting Icons, a 1968 Lamborghini Islero won Italian Thoroughbreds and a 1955 Lotus VIII took honours in Racing Legends. The Talbot-Darracq T23 secured the Host’s Choice Award, while the ex-Clark Gable Jaguar XK120 proved the crowd favourite.
The event concluded with a distinctive ‘Power & Grace’ presentation, where the winning automobiles entered the main arena accompanied by horses, reflecting Bolesworth’s ambition to combine automotive and equestrian excellence in a uniquely theatrical fashion. On the evidence of its first edition, the Cheshire concours has made a confident start.
2026 Concours Winners
Best in Show
Michael Jewell – 1933 Standard Swallow SS1 Coupé
Coachbuilt Masters
Michael Jewell – 1933 Standard Swallow SS1 Coupé
Bentley Through the Ages
Anthony Thompson – 1927 Bentley 6½ Litre Doctors Coupé
Mercedes-Benz: A Century of Excellence
Nigel Griffiths – 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing
British Sporting Icons
Charley Jurak – 1952 Jaguar XK120
Italian Thoroughbreds
John Day – 1968 Lamborghini Islero
Racing Legends
Henning Soltau – 1955 Lotus VIII
Host’s Choice Award
Presented by A J Lee Classic – Talbot-Darracq T23
People’s Choice Award
Car Iconics Ltd – 1949 ex-Clark Gable Jaguar XK120
For more info, see bolesworth.com
