- The gargantuan 28.5-litre Fiat S76, better known as the ‘Beast of Turin’ will be on display at this year’s London Concours
- The flame-spitting 300hp land speed record car achieved 116mph over one mile in 1911, and was later unofficially clocked at 135mph
- The ‘Beast of Turin’ will be joined by more than 80 of the fastest cars ever created, including a number of other pre-war speed machines
- The UK’s finest automotive garden party will also feature displays from luxury watchmakers, specialist car dealers and major manufacturers
The London Concours 2018, hosted at the Honourable Artillery Company, will be showcasing the flame-spitting ‘Beast of Turin’ – a 28.5-litre Fiat S76 land speed record car from 1911.
Originally built as one of two, the ‘Beast of Turin’ is now the only remaining Fiat S76 land speed record car in existence after Fiat dismantled the other example just after World War One. Its colossal 28.5-litre inline-four engine is the largest purpose-built car engine ever, and produces around 300hp. In 1911, it achieved a two-way speed of 116mph, and was also clocked at 135mph on a later run but disqualified because it couldn’t complete the return leg.
The car has recently been the subject of a ten-year restoration project, and was fired into life late in 2014 for the first time in more than a century. Its appearance at the London Concours marks a rare opportunity to see one of the world’s finest early 20th Century speed machines.
Appearing alongside the ‘Beast of Turin’ are a number of other pre-war rarities that were among the quickest vehicles of their day. Each hand-picked around the event’s central theme of ‘Speed’, the Honourable Artillery Company lawn will play host to a 1924 Bentley 4.5-litre, 1932 Bugatti Type 55 and 1935 Lagonda M35R.
The London Concours is a celebration of speed of all types, lining up more than 80 of the quickest cars and motorbikes ever created. From the more modern era, show goers will be treated to a 2013 Lamborghini Aventador Roadster, the latest Porsche 911 GT3 RS, and performance icons like the McLaren F1, Mercedes 300SL ‘Gullwing’ and the Lancia Delta HF Integrale evo.
Away from the main car displays, the London Concours is focused around the worlds of entertainment and luxury products, with pop-up boutiques from top-end watchmakers, Breguet and Glasshutte, as well as arthouses such as Collier Dobson.
There are a number of hospitality options also available, with preview breakfasts, three-course lunches and evening cocktails hosted across the duration of the event.
