From Pre-War Icons to Exceptional and Rare Modern Hypercars: The Royal Bahrain Concours Confirms 2026 Line-Up

RIFFA, BAHRAIN — The Royal Bahrain Concours has confirmed a remarkable selection of pre-war icons, celebrated classics, racing machinery and contemporary hypercars for its return to the Royal Golf Club in Riffa on Friday 6 and Saturday 7 November. The line-up includes some of the rarest cars of their respective eras, with exceptional examples represented across all ten concours classes.

Held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, the second edition is expected to welcome 78 concours cars alongside more than 100 specially selected cars in the Royal Bahrain Car Club displays.

One of the headline attractions is the 1997 McLaren F1, whose carbon-fibre monocoque, central three-seat layout and naturally aspirated BMW V12 helped redefine the road-going supercar. Its enduring appeal reflects an era in which lightweight construction and engineering ingenuity were as important as outright speed. At the other end of the technological spectrum, the Mercedes-AMG ONE takes Formula 1-derived hybrid engineering to the road, making it another standout entry in the Hypercars class.

The Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR and Maserati MC12 bring genuine motorsport pedigree to the line-up. The CLK GTR was conceived in the late 1990s for GT1 competition, with an exceptionally limited road-going version developed as part of the homologation programme. With its dramatic proportions and V12 power, it remains one of the most recognisable racing-derived supercars. The 2004 Maserati MC12 was likewise created to homologate a GT racer. Based on Ferrari Enzo engineering, powered by a 6.0-litre V12 and built in a run of just 50 road cars, it helped spearhead Maserati’s successful return to international GT racing.

Other major attractions include the Koenigsegg Regera, one of just 80 produced, whose direct-drive transmission combines a twin-turbocharged V8 with three electric motors; the Lamborghini Reventón, a fighter-jet-inspired V12 special limited to 20 coupés; and the Pagani Zonda Aether, an extraordinarily individual interpretation of Pagani’s celebrated V12-powered supercar. The Ferrari Daytona SP3, McLaren P1 and Porsche 918 Spyder add further depth to the collection.

Pre-1940 Cars: The 1930 Mercedes-Benz 710 SSK ‘Count Trossi’, with its extraordinary Art Deco bodywork, will appear alongside the 1929 Bentley Demonstrator Blower, one of 50 road-going supercharged 4½-litre Bentleys built. A 1939 Packard and a 1934 Horch add contrasting examples of pre-war luxury.

Sports & Race Classics: The Maserati MC12 and Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR lead a selection that also features the Audi Sport Quattro S1, famed for its connection to the fearsome Group B rally era, and the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3. Together, they illustrate the breadth of competition-inspired engineering represented at the Concours.

American Classics & Muscle Cars: Classic Americana is represented by the 1954 Chevrolet Corvette C1, the elegant 1958 Buick Limited Convertible, a 1960 Chrysler New Yorker and the distinctive Stutz Bearcat II, spanning several very different chapters of American automotive design.

British Classics: An Aston Martin DB5 Coupé and DB4 Convertible will join a Jaguar XK150 and a selection of Bentley and Rolls-Royce grand tourers, including the Continental S2 and the Silver Cloud ‘Chinese Eye’.

European Classics: Highlights span the landmark Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing, the BMW M1 and motorsport-influenced 3.0 CSL, alongside the Lamborghini 400 GT and a 1959 Ferrari 250 GT, drawing a line from elegant grand touring to high-performance engineering.

Flat Tops: Minimalist, open-cockpit design is celebrated by the Ferrari Monza SP1 and SP2, McLaren Elva and Aston Martin V12 Speedster, with the uniquely-looking Italdesign Aztec providing a very different interpretation of open-air motoring.

Modern Classics: The Jaguar XJ220, one of the defining 1990s British supercars, is joined by the Mercedes-Benz CLK DTM and the rare Ferrari 599 SA Aperta. A 2026 BRABUS BODO Cabriolet brings a very different, highly individualised interpretation of the modern grand tourer.

Supercars: The Lamborghini Reventón takes centre stage alongside the Porsche Carrera GT, Lamborghini Diablo SV, Ferrari 812 Competizione Aperta and Lamborghini Murciélago SV, bringing together distinctive examples of analogue and modern performance.

Hypercars: The McLaren F1 and Koenigsegg Regera share the spotlight with the Mercedes-AMG ONE, 2018 Bugatti Chiron, McLaren P1, Porsche 918 Spyder, Pagani Zonda Aether, Ferrari Daytona SP3 and track-focused Gordon Murray T.50S, among other landmark machines.

Big Six: Ferrari’s flagship lineage is celebrated from the 288 GTO through the F40, F50, Enzo and LaFerrari to the F80, tracing the evolution from turbocharged V8s and naturally aspirated V12s to hybrid propulsion and motorsport-derived technology.

Beyond the principal concours, the Royal Bahrain Car Club display will bring together more than 100 specially selected vehicles from Bahrain and across the GCC. A refreshed format places participating cars under one shared identity, with nine categories: American Icons, Japanese Icons, German Icons, Italian Icons, General Class, Vipers Class, 4x4 Class, Bahrain Motor Club and Under 30 Class. Awards will also recognise Best Overall Car Club, Most Travelled Car and Best Manufacturer Car.

BBK (Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait), the event’s Exclusive Banking Partner, will support the 30 Under 30 category, recognising young automotive enthusiasts and collectors under 30 who are preserving heritage and bringing fresh perspectives to the classic and collector-car community.

James Brooks-Ward, Chairman of the Royal Bahrain Concours, said: “Following the response to our first event, it’s a real pleasure to return to the Royal Golf Club with an even broader celebration of motoring. Alongside the exceptional cars, we’re proud to showcase the enthusiasm of collectors and car clubs from Bahrain and across the GCC. We’ve also expanded the experience for visitors, with fashion, live entertainment and RBC TV joining the two-day event. Our sincere thanks go to His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, the owners sharing their cars, our sponsors and partners, the Bahrain Tourism & Exhibitions Authority and the Royal Golf Club. Their support and hospitality make the occasion possible, and we look forward to welcoming everyone over the coming days.”

The event’s expanded visitor programme includes Friday’s Gulf Air Fashion Show, Ladies’ Afternoon Tea, DJ Sham, live music from Faisal and His Band, and a presentation featuring falcons and hunting dogs of the Gulf. Saturday’s schedule includes the car-club and concours awards, the Royal Patron Award, expert talks, live jazz and the Lexus-presented Fashion Show by Annada.

New for 2026, RBC TV will broadcast interviews, behind-the-scenes features and event highlights across multiple platforms. The weekend concludes with the departure of the concours cars from the Royal Golf Club on Saturday evening.

The Royal Bahrain Concours is organised by Thorough Events in collaboration with the Bahrain Tourism & Exhibitions Authority (BTEA). Tickets and further information are available at royalconcours.com.