The 2025 Concours of Elegance, held against the regal backdrop of Hampton Court Palace from September 5th to 7th, promises to be a landmark event for classic car lovers, petrolheads, and motorsport historians, as always. This year’s edition is even more special for Aston Martin enthusiasts. The ultra-rare and significant 1932 Aston Martin LM8 and 1955 Aston Martin DB3S Coupe will be on showcase at the 2025 Concours of Elegance. With only three examples of each model ever built, they represent a golden era of British engineering, design, and racing ambition.
1955 Aston Martin DB3S Coupe – The Gentleman Racer’s Dream
Few cars encapsulate the spirit of 1950s motorsport like the DB3S Coupe. Known internally as DB3S/119, this is the last of only three closed DB3S coupes ever produced. Born out of a quest to fuse racing prowess with grand touring elegance, this coupe is a tantalising ‘what-if’ from Aston Martin’s storied past.
Styled by the legendary Frank Feely, the DB3S Coupe wore its streamlined aluminium body like a bespoke Savile Row suit. Finished in Battleship Grey with rich red leather, its dramatic curves were crafted for aerodynamic efficiency. Aston Martin hoped it would rival contemporaries like the Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing, and in many ways, it did. Powered by a 2.9-litre straight-six producing 228hp, it surged from 0-60mph in just 6.5 seconds and topped out at a remarkable 140mph. These are impressive performance figures even by today’s standards.
Underneath its elegant skin is a race-ready chassis, making it one of the most capable Aston Martins of its day. But alas, Aston Martin’s limited resources in the mid-1950s meant the DB3S Coupe would never enter series production. The brand shifted its focus toward touring models like the DB2 and DB4, leaving this coupe a tantalising glimpse of what could have been.
Of the three originally produced, only two fixed-head examples survive, and this DB3S/119 remains the best-preserved. It made a celebrated appearance at Pebble Beach in 2013 and now resides in one of the world’s premier private collections.
1932 Aston Martin LM8 – A Race-Bred Machine with Heart & History
If the DB3S Coupe represents refinement and performance, then the 1932 LM8 is Aston Martin’s raw, determined spirit on wheels. One of just three ‘second-series’ works racing cars — LM8, LM9, and LM10 — LM8 is a legend born out of the crucible of early motorsport, and the brainchild of Aston Martin’s designer and works driver, Augustus “Bert” Bertelli.
Built in a frenetic eight-week period ahead of the 1932 racing season, the LM8 was designed to address the shortcomings of its predecessors. It featured a completely redesigned chassis, a streamlined two-seater body with a signature tapered tail, and a lowered radiator grille to reduce drag on the long straights of Le Mans. Every inch of this car was honed for performance.
Power came from a race-tuned engine with high-lift camshafts, a four-branch exhaust manifold, and twin side-draught carburettors integrated into an evolved inlet manifold. The engine was dry-sumped, while the lightweight magnesium featured drilled gears to reduce weight. Such obsessive attention to detail helped make the LM8 a true competitor.
After an early appearance at the Brooklands 1000 Mile Race, where suspension issues were quickly discovered and resolved, LM8 went on to shine at Le Mans 1932. Driven by none other than Bertelli himself and Brooklands veteran Patrick Driscoll, it finished a commendable 7th overall, winning the coveted Rudge Whitworth Cup for its class — a massive triumph for a boutique British manufacturer going up against giants like Alfa Romeo and Bugatti.
Now lovingly preserved by its current custodian, it is poised to stir the souls of enthusiasts as it returns to public view this September.
A Celebration Of British Ingenuity
These two rare Aston Martins, separated by more than two decades of design evolution but united by racing DNA and rarity, are centrepieces in the narrative of the brand’s legacy. Their appearance at Concours of Elegance 2025 is a tribute to a time when British manufacturers like Aston Martin, with limited resources but boundless ambition, dared to take on the world.
James Brooks-Ward, CEO of Concours of Elegance said, “Supremely rare, they embody a golden age when small British manufacturers could triumph on the world stage through ingenuity and determination.”
And what a stage it is. Beyond the main concours lineup, visitors can expect a rich tapestry of automotive passion: from the Aston Martin Owners’ Club display on Saturday, to newer showcases like the Levitt Concours for female collectors, the 30UNDER30 for rising young enthusiasts, and the Club Trophy that celebrates standout classics from car clubs across the UK. Well, there’s quite a lot to look forward to at the Concours this year, so stay tuned as we bring the best of the show to your attention.
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