Young Enthusiasts Shine at the Hampton Court Concours of Elegance

The future of old cars is in good hands. That's if the turnout for the 30 Under 30 class at the Hampton Court 2024 Concours of Elegance is anything to go by.

Alongside hundreds of other classics at the prestigious event, held at King Henry VIII's historic Hampton Court Palace, was a truly eclectic collection that proves how younger classic car fans are every bit as passionate as their parents' generation.

The category was only open to enthusiasts under the age of 30 who own a car built from 1900 to the early 2000s, with the oldest machine on show a Lagonda from 1930 and the youngest a 2003 Ferrari 360 Modena.

A Bugatti Type 35 may well have been the rarest of the 30 entrants, while it was surprising to see no less than three Rolls-Royces represented, with the youngest owner just 25 years of age.

Everyone had a story to tell, from Alfie Munkenbeck and his beautifully patinated 1954 Citroen 2CV which he says he will "never paint," to the highly-commended 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB which Aidan de Cadenet inherited from his late father, racing driver Alain de Cadenet. Gregory Fulford was also praised for his 1989 Jaguar XJ-S, largely because he converted it to a manual transmission himself.

Concours presenter Richard Charlesworth commented, "We believe that celebrating young collectors into our industry is very important. It's not just an old person's club, it's a young person's club as well."

After much deliberation, the judges awarded their top prize to the 1958 Austin-Healey Sprite of Max Authers. Max had only just finished getting the historic rally car back on the road, including fettling its original supercharged engine. "I literally bolted the driver's seat in yesterday," he said.

Max is a self-confessed Spridget (Sprite and Midget) lover, who bought his first MG at the age of 15, and got hold of the rally Sprite after it had been neglected for 12 years. It took a further three years to get it ready. All the work is under the skin, however, and it still proudly wears the dirt from its decade in a barn. "I don't intend to wash it," Max said, although he does plan to compete in autotests and take it on European tours.

Max, we salute you and all the other young fans who bring hope for our hobby.