Cars, stars and vintage Goodwood style

CARTIER HOSTS THE FINEST CLASSIC AUTOMOBILE SHOW IN THE WORLD

The Goodwood Festival of Speed, founded by Lord March, in the grounds of his Sussex estate in 1993, now pulls in crowds of 100,000-plus for each of the three days it is held every summer.

It’s seen some sights over the years: the downhill soapbox challenge that regularly ended with expensive prangs, real-life versions of the Wacky Races cars and racing royalty like Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg mixing with racing knights like Jackie Stewart and Sterling Moss.

For the ultimate refined experience, however, head to the Cartier Style et Luxe enclosure. Now one of the most respected concours d’elegance in the world, past winners have included the 1969 Aston Martin DB6 Volante that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge drove away in following their 2011 wedding, the futuristic Alfa Romeo BAT 5 Bertone and last year’s masterpiece, the Lamborghini Miura 1971.

The festival’s theme this year is Peaks Of Performance — Motorsport’s Game-changers and will see rare and distinctive cars competing across seven categories, as well as the

Overall Winner Award.

“There will be around 50 elegant, exotic and exceptional cars,” says Laurent Feniou, managing director of Cartier UK, who cites Aston’s DB11 as his all-time favourite car. “The pre-war period is represented by two classes, the first dedicated to steam motor carriages built by the famous Stanley marque. The second sees the 110th anniversary of the Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost being honoured with some significant examples. We’ll also be celebrating two 70th anniversaries, with an eyewatering display of exceptional Ferrari 250s, plus Aston Martin DB models from the David Brown-era of ownership.”

The Italian theme continues with graceful Maserati GTs marking the 60th anniversary of the legendary 3500. In other words, a vintage year all round. Cartier Style et Luxe at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, 29 June–2 July; goodwood.com