Mercedes-Benz Classic and Henry Poole present craftsmanship at Concours of Elegance

Mercedes-Benz Classic and Henry Poole highlighted restoration and bespoke tailoring at Hampton Court’s Concours of Elegance 2025.

Last weekend, Hampton Court Palace hosted the Concours of Elegance, where traditions of craftsmanship came together in a remarkable collaboration. Mercedes-Benz Classic joined forces with London’s Savile Row tailor Henry Poole & Co to present a live workshop that highlighted two worlds of excellence: the meticulous restoration of a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL (W 198) leather seat and the hand-stitching of a bespoke suit jacket.

Founded in 2012 to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee, the Concours of Elegance has quickly become one of the most prestigious automotive events in the UK. After its debut at Windsor Castle, the event visited St James’s Palace and the Palace of Holyroodhouse before establishing Hampton Court Palace as its permanent venue in 2017. Unlike many concours, the winner is chosen by the owners of the participating cars, adding a unique spirit of trust and respect to the atmosphere.

Mercedes-Benz showcased several milestones from its heritage collection. The centerpiece was the Mercedes-Benz W 196 R, the racing car that carried Juan Manuel Fangio to world championship titles in 1954 and 1955. A symbol of technical innovation, it introduced desmodromic valve control and mechanical direct fuel injection to Formula One. Produced in both streamlined and open-wheel versions, the W 196 R achieved nine victories in twelve races, redefining Grand Prix racing in its era.

Equally captivating was the experimental supercar C 111-II with its four-rotor Wankel engine. First unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1970, it stunned audiences with gull-wing doors, striking design and the distinctive roar of its rotary powertrain. Although it never entered series production, the C 111-II strengthened Mercedes-Benz’s reputation as a brand unafraid to experiment with advanced technologies.

From a more modern chapter, Mercedes-Benz presented the F1 W05 Hybrid show car from 2014. This machine secured the team’s first Constructors’ Championship in the hybrid era and gave Lewis Hamilton the drivers’ crown, laying the foundation for Mercedes’ dominance in Formula One.

The presentation also highlighted recognition at the highest level. In 2025, Mercedes-Benz UK Ltd. received a Royal Warrant of Appointment to His Majesty The King, a prestigious acknowledgment of its ties with the British Royal Household. Henry Poole & Co, meanwhile, proudly carries a history of more than 200 years and 45 Royal Warrants, dressing figures from Edward VII to Winston Churchill.

The Mercedes-Benz Classic Center in Fellbach continues to expand its capabilities. With workshop space set to reach 18,000 square meters and a team of around 70 specialists, it combines historical documentation with artisanal expertise, ensuring that rare vehicles can be restored down to the smallest detail.

The collaboration at Hampton Court Palace was more than a demonstration; it was a statement that traditional handcraft remains relevant today, whether on the racetrack, in a tailoring workshop, or under the vaulted ceilings of a royal palace.