The Earl of Pembroke, an arch-enthusiast with an enviable collection of cars, wanted the three-day event at Wilton House, his estate state near Salisbury, to be more than a concours. He said: ‘I have always felt that the greatest cars deserve more than to be admired simply for their aesthetics. They deserve to have their stories told properly’. So, in conjunction with Hothouse Media, the publisher of Octane and Magneto magazines, the June ‘Concours des Légendes’ was created, combining the concours display on the lawns with a motoring book and art fair and interview sessions with motoring and motor sport personalities in marquees along the periphery.
Of course, the MSMT’s prime interest was the Literary Stage. Among the first authors featured was John Mayhead, whose book Goldie was published by the National Motor Museum in 2023 with the support of the MSMT and went on to win a series of awards. Goldie is a thorough and empathetic biography of Alfred ‘Goldie’ Gardner, a prodigious record-breaker in the 1930s to the 1950s. Simon Taylor interviewed John along with Ros Gardner, Goldie’s daughter.
On Saturday, MSMT Trustee Giles Chapman took to the stage with co-author Michael Quinn, the grandson of the founder of Jaguar, to discuss Sir William Lyons and Jaguar. As they explained to the audience, this book, published by EVRO last year, is based on a (long) speech that Sir William gave to the Institute of the Motor Industry in 1969 and describes the formation and development of Jaguar in his own words. It has been well received by Jaguar enthusiasts.
Magnificent cars, fascinating people, great books and a stunning location: ‘Concours des Légendes’ was a splendid garden party. We are pleased to learn that they are going to do it again next June.
