ONE of the most significant gatherings of rare Aston Martin cars is to take place in September at Hampton Court Palace in London.

Concours of Elegance 2017 will feature four of the rarest Aston Martins in the world as part of the main line-up.

Included is an historic 1923 Aston Martin Clover Leaf, a 1933 Le Mans Short Chassis and a DB4 GT Zagato joined by the DBR 9/01 racer.

A special Aston Martin V8 celebration will bring together an example of every V8-powered model the brand has produced.

This will be the biggest Concours of Elegance event yet, featuring a new central stage and displays of nearly a thousand other cars over the first weekend of September.

The event traces the history of the brand from 1923 all the way through to the DBR 9/01 racer of more recent years.

The Aston Martin V8 display will feature more than 100 vehicles, including an example of each V8-engined model produced by the iconic British manufacturer.

The 1923 Aston Martin Clover Leaf has earned its place among more than 60 of the most incredible cars in the world. It is thought to be the second-oldest road-going production Aston Martin in existence, and has recently been treated to an extensive restoration back to the original special three-seat layout .

Another star, the 1933 Aston Martin Le Mans Short Chassis, is one of only around 130 examples built.

Produced at a time when Aston Martin was investing heavily into the world of motorsport, this roadgoing version of a Le Mans 24 Hours class winner has earned a reputation as one of the most thrilling pre-war sports cars ever built.

The more modern world of Aston Martin motorsport will also be showcased with the DBR 9/01.

Built to take on the dominant Chevrolet Corvettes on the GT racing circuit, it was victorious over the American cars on its very first outing at the Sebring 12 Hours in 2005. Based loosely on the DB9 road car, the DBR9 features a 6.0-litre naturally aspirated V12 engine, producing around 600bhp.

No Aston Martin display would be complete without examples of the legendary partnership between Aston Martin and Italian design house Zagato. Perhaps their most beautiful creation, the DB4 GT Zagato, will be there to wow the fans.

This particular DB4 GT Zagato, is nearly 50kg lighter, 12hp more powerful and with a more aerodynamic shape than a standard DB4, and was raced extensively in Australia, with great success. It is also extremely rare, with just 19 DB4 GT variants built.

Away from the main concours event is a gathering of more than 100 Aston Martins celebrating the brand's V8-powered models. Beginning with the 1969 Aston Martin V8 and running through to the latest V8 Vantage, there will be one example of each V8-engined Aston Martin ever built.

Concours of Elegance director, James Brooks-Ward, said: "Aston Martin remains one of the best-loved British brands throughout the world, and I'm so pleased to see its story told at Concours of Elegance this year.

"We have some of the rarest and most important Aston Martin models ever built in attendance this year, representing just one small part of what will be the biggest and best Concours of Elegance we've ever hosted."