This striking 1929 Mercedes-Benz S-Type Barker ‘Boat Tail’ won Best in Show at the weekend's Hampton Court Palace Concours of Elegance.
Based on a 1927 S-Type, then one of the world's most powerful cars, it was first owned by racer and British Racing Drivers' Club co-founder Earl Howe.
Its one-off bodywork featuring unique aluminium side pods was crafted by English coachbuilders Barker.
Many of its first owner's specifications had been lost, but the car has now been returned to its former glory thanks to a recent restoration.
Over 1000 cars were enjoyed by nearly 13,000 visitors
Other Concours of Elegance category winners included an Isotta Fraschini Tipo A FENG (in the 'Pre-1920s' class), an Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Short Chassis Spider ('1930s') and an ex-Sir Stirling Moss race-winning Maserati 300S ('1940s/’50s').
There was another superstar attached to the top car in the ’60s class – the Porsche 917K was driven by Steve McQueen, no less, during filming for Le Mans.
And you could argue that the car which took the '1970s-onwards' gong is a superstar in its own right: a Lamborghini Miura P400 S, fresh from restoration by the factory.
Class victories for the Isotta, Lamborghini, Maserati and Porsche
