A feast of literary insight heading to Wilton Legends in summer 2026

Set against the backdrop of the Concours de Légendes at Wilton House near Salisbury, UK, the Literary Stage brings together an exceptional line-up of authors, historians and adventurers. Across the weekend, these speakers will share stories drawn from motor sport, design, engineering and exploration, offering rare insight into the people and moments that have shaped automotive history. From epic overland journeys to Formula 1, Ferrari and record-breaking achievements, the programme reflects the breadth of car culture and its enduring appeal. Informative, entertaining and deeply personal, these talks offer a chance to hear first-hand accounts from some of the most knowledgeable voices in the field.

Trans-Africa Land Rover: The Story of Philip Kohler and his Epic Overland Adventure (Porter Press)

Discover a fascinating talk on the Trans-Africa Land: The Story of Philip Kohler and his Epic Overland Adventure by author Martin Port. The award-winning story of Philip Kohler’s extraordinary solo journey across Africa in a 1959 Series II Land Rover. Setting out in the early 1960s without sponsorship or support, Kohler spent three years crossing a continent in flux, documenting his adventure through remarkable photography. This talk will explore the deeply human story of ambition, curiosity, resilience and the spirit of adventure that continues to inspire today.

Ferrari: Passion, Performance and the Marque’s Enduring Legacy

Keith Bluemel, renowned Ferrari aficionado and prolific author, presents a fascinating exploration of one of the world’s most iconic automotive marques. With a lifetime dedicated to documenting Ferrari’s history, Bluemel has authored numerous definitive works, including Ferrari: 75 Years, Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona, Ferrari F40, Ferrari 275 P and Enzo’s Ultimate Redhead, offering unrivalled insight into the cars, characters and competition heritage of the marque. In this engaging talk, he will chart Ferrari’s evolution from its earliest days to global legend status, sharing stories from the road and the track. Insightful and richly informed, this is a must-attend for enthusiasts of Ferrari and automotive history alike.

Goldie: The Remarkable Life of Britain’s Greatest Speed Record Breaker

Acclaimed motoring author John Mayhead presents the extraordinary true story of AT ‘Goldie’ Gardner. Severely injured during World War One, Gardner defied physical limitations to set an astonishing number of national and international records. This talk brings to life his journey from the aftermath of war to the golden age of motor racing, exploring the determination, resilience and ambition behind his success. A story of obsession as much as achievement, it reveals how his relentless pursuit of speed made him one of the most remarkable record breakers of all time, yet led to heartbreak, betrayal and, ultimately, one risk too many. Offering a fascinating insight into an unsung hero of British motor sport, it captures a remarkable era of courage and ingenuity.

Sir William Lyons on Jaguar

Join acclaimed automotive author Giles Chapman in conversation with Jaguar specialist and racer Michael Quinn for a fascinating exploration of the life and legacy of William Lyons. With Jaguar quite literally in his blood as the grandson of the marque’s founder, Michael Quinn brings a uniquely personal perspective, sharing early memories alongside rare insight into the man behind one of Britain’s most iconic automotive brands. Together, they will reflect on Lyons’ extraordinary vision, his influence on design and engineering, and the enduring legacy of Jaguar. The engaging discussion offers a rare blend of historical insight and personal storytelling, illuminating the character and achievements of a true automotive pioneer.

Collecting Motoring Literature: Passion, Provenance and Value
Ben Horton of Hortons Books, alongside a prolific publisher and avid automotive book collector, presents an engaging discussion on the world of automotive books, where history, passion and value meet. Ben is a highly respected specialist retailer and widely regarded as the industry’s ‘go-to’ for collectors, bringing deep knowledge of rare titles, first editions and the nuances of the market. Together, the panel will explore what makes a book truly collectable, how values are shaped and what to look for when building a meaningful collection.

Remembering Sir Stirling Moss

Simon Taylor, a close personal friend of Stirling Moss, appears alongside special guests for a memorable discussion celebrating one of the nation’s greatest racing drivers. Through personal reflections, anecdotes and insight, this conversation will explore Moss’s remarkable career, his enduring legacy and the character behind the legend. Intimate and engaging, it offers a rare opportunity to hear first-hand stories that bring to life a defining figure in British motor sport history.

Formula 1 Cars: The Greatest F1 Cars from 1950 to the Present Day

Maurice Hamilton presents a fascinating talk exploring the evolution of Formula 1 through some of the most iconic cars ever to grace the grid. From the pioneering machines of the 1950s to today’s cutting-edge technology, this engaging discussion will chart the innovation, design and engineering breakthroughs that have defined the sport. Along the way, it will bring to life the stories behind the cars, the rivalries they inspired, and the drivers who pushed them to their limits. Drawing on decades of experience within the paddock, Maurice Hamilton offers unique insight into the characters, moments and machines that have shaped Formula 1 history.

Three Men in a Land Rover: 40,000 Miles, 40 Countries, One Extraordinary Journey (Porter Press)

Waxy Wainwright, Mike Palmer and Chris Wall present a captivating talk exploring Three Men in a Land Rover, the remarkable true story of these three adventurers who set out from London in 1969 on an epic overland journey across Europe, Asia and Africa. Driving a modest Series IIA Land Rover, they travelled 40,000 miles through 40 countries over nine unforgettable months. Facing extreme terrain, political unrest and moments of real danger, their journey is a story of courage, ingenuity and enduring friendship. An evocative portrait of a world, and a spirit of adventure, now largely lost.

The Atlas of Car Design: The World’s Most Iconic Cars (Phaidon)

Jason Barlow presents a fascinating exploration of the art and evolution of automotive design. Drawing on more than a century of innovation, this engaging talk journeys across continents and eras, examining the most influential and iconic cars ever created. From early pioneers to modern masterpieces, it reveals how culture, technology and human ambition have shaped the cars we admire today. Barlow brings a lifetime of experience as a journalist and broadcaster to uncover the stories behind the designs, the visionaries who created them and the moments that defined automotive history..

The Last Overland: 21,000 km, 23 Countries and One Very Old Land Rover (Michael O’Mara)

Alex Bescoby presents a captivating talk on The Last Overland, the extraordinary story of retracing one of the most iconic journeys in motoring history. In 2019, Bescoby set out to recreate the legendary 1955 London to Singapore expedition, driving a 64-year-old Land Rover over 13,000 miles across 23 countries. Battling extreme terrain, mechanical challenges and shifting political landscapes, the journey became as much about people, history and connection as it was about endurance. Blending adventure, history and personal reflection, this talk offers a thrilling insight into a modern epic, where past and present meet on the open road.

Fast Fords: 50 Years Up Close and Personal with Ford’s Finest (Evro)

Jeremy Walton presents a fascinating and highly personal journey through the world of high-performance Ford cars. Over more than 50 years as a renowned motoring journalist and racing driver, Walton has driven hundreds of performance cars, yet Fords have always been especially close to his heart. He was there at the birth of the fast Ford era in the early 1960s, as the Blue Oval began to take motor sport seriously, and has since tested almost every significant performance model, many direct from Ford’s competition department. From Cortinas, Capris, Escorts and Sierras to GT40s, Supervans and modern icons, this talk offers a richly anecdotal and nostalgic insight into one of motoring’s most celebrated performance lineages.

Colin Chapman: Genius, Innovation and the Man Behind Lotus (Coterie Press)

William Taylor presents a compelling exploration of the life and legacy of Colin Chapman, one of the most influential and innovative figures in motor sport history. From his early ambition and engineering ingenuity to the creation of Lotus and its dominance in Formula 1, this talk charts Chapman’s extraordinary journey and the ideas that reshaped the sport. It explores his pioneering approach to design, his relentless drive for innovation, and the lasting impact he had on both racing and road car development. A respected historian, author and publisher, William Taylor brings unparalleled expertise to offer a fascinating insight into a complex and visionary figure who transformed motor sport forever.

Superveloce: How Italian Cars Conquered the World (Simon & Schuster)

Peter Grimsdale presents a fascinating exploration of the passion, innovation and cultural force behind Italy’s most iconic cars. Spanning more than a century, this engaging talk traces the rise of legendary marques such as Ferrari, Fiat and Alfa Romeo, revealing how a nation with limited industrial roots came to define speed, style and engineering excellence on the world stage. A bestselling author and former television producer, Grimsdale brings a storyteller’s perspective to the subject, weaving together design, history and human ambition. Insightful and richly anecdotal, this talk offers a compelling journey into the spirit, artistry and enduring allure of the Italian automobile.