This year was the 50th Annual Concours & Rally which was held at Kelmarsh Hall in Northants. The “Annual” as it is affectionately known, is unique in being the largest assembly of Rolls-Royce and Bentley built vehicles gathered together in one place. As in past years, the cars are parked in rows, designated by class. Most classes are judged and Trophies are awarded to the car achieving the highest total score. This year John Harrison won The Doug Tomas Trophy which is the Conservation Class with his 1956 Silver Cloud 1 SYB 106. This class is for cars that are in good mechanical order, substantially unrestored, clean and well found. Also on display was Rolls-Royce Motors 200EX which being the fourth Rolls Royce to be unveiled since the firm was taken over by BMW in 2003, it’s internally referred to as RR4 –but it could resurrect the famous Silver Ghost name when it arrives in two years’ time.
Inside, the 200EX is designed to be contemporary yet luxurious with the finest leather and wood veneers used throughout. The dashboard has been simplified for an uncluttered look and a new innovation is the ‘roller-ball control’ on the centre console, which allows the driver to access many of the car’s systems through a mouse-like rotating ball.
Bargain hunters were in abundance in the Trade area seeking out those rare, hard to find parts. There were parts available for all models from Ghosts to Spirits, Handbooks, Manuals and numerous other pieces of memorabilia.
Winner of the Doug Thomas Trophy John Harrison in his 1956 Silver Cloud Chassis No SYB 106
