Auto RARA to Showcase Restoration Transparency at the Concours of Elegance 2025

From 5–7 September 2025, the stunning grounds of Hampton Court Palace will once again host the Concours of Elegance — a celebration of the world’s most extraordinary classic cars. This year, Auto RARA will be bringing something truly different: not just immaculate finished vehicles, but three cars at three very different stages of restoration.

Why? Because at Auto RARA, we believe in showing the full journey, not just the polished destination.

Three Icons, Three Stages

Our line-up for the Concours reflects our philosophy of transparency and customer-centric restoration. Each car has been chosen to represent a different point in its journey.

Peugeot 205 GTI – The Completed Journey

First up, our fully restored Peugeot 205 GTI. This hot hatch has already captured attention, having been featured in EVO magazine’s “‘80s Smash Hits” special earlier this year. Every panel, detail and stitch has been finished to concours standard. It stands as proof of what a completed restoration at Auto RARA looks like: precise, authentic, and ready to shine among the world’s best.

Lamborghini 400GT – Midway Milestone

In contrast, our Lamborghini 400GT will be shown as a painted shell. This rare grand tourer demonstrates a project in progress, offering an honest glimpse of the craftsmanship normally hidden beneath the surface. By showing the car mid-stage, we want to highlight the expertise and detail that go into every restoration long before the final polish.

Ford Escort Mk2 Harrier – The Blank Canvas

Finally, our Ford Escort Mk2 Harrier will appear in epoxy primer, just before paint. It’s the beginning of its transformation, a blank canvas waiting to be brought back to life. To us, this represents promise and potential — the first step in a journey that, when complete, will deliver just as much impact as the Peugeot or Lamborghini.

The Power of Transparency

Most concours stands showcase only flawless finishes. We’re proud to do things differently. By presenting three cars in different states of completion, we’re telling the whole story of restoration:

• The destination (Peugeot 205 GTI)
• The mid-stage journey (Lamborghini 400GT)
• The starting point (Ford Escort Mk2 Harrier)

And because we believe in full transparency, we’re also bringing our Build Diaries with us. Visitors to the Concours will be able to view the detailed project records for each car — with photographs, updates, and technical notes showing exactly what’s been done. It’s an unprecedented chance to go behind the scenes of classic car restoration and witness the craft in detail.

Why It Matters

At Auto RARA, we’ve built our reputation on craftsmanship, transparency, and customer trust. The Concours of Elegance is the perfect stage to show the world that restoration is more than just the end result — it’s a journey worth sharing.

So, whether you admire the perfection of the Peugeot 205, the raw beauty of the Lamborghini shell, or the promise of the Escort Harrier in primer, each car tells part of our story. Together, they represent what we stand for: restorations where every stage matters, and every client is part of the process.

Join Us at Hampton Court

If you’re visiting the Concours of Elegance this September, we’d love to welcome you to our stand. Come and see the cars, explore their Build Diaries, and discover for yourself why transparency sits at the heart of every Auto RARA restoration.

👉 Learn more about our restoration philosophy and explore Build Diaries at www.autorara.com.

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