Postcard from Salon Prive

By Ed Brown on 5 July 2011

Set in the grounds of the 15^th century, 200 acre Syon Park, in suburban West London, the 6^th Salon Prive took place over 3 days and 3 evenings, of June 22-24^th. Combining a supercar motor show, a Concours D’Elegance and an RM Auction, devoted to British marques.

This well established event had something for everyone, whether your interest was in ordering a soon to enter production Bugatti Veyron Supersports WR (below), viewing a collection of 9 superb 250 series V12 Ferrari’s or acquiring a much cherished, experimental prototype Phantom 1 Rolls Royce.

Well attended by enthusiasts, London socialites and the collectors car fraternity – to enjoy the “all inclusive” lobster, champagne and afternoon tea, in changeable weather conditions, these were my highlights:

The Chubb Insurance sponsored Concours D’Elegance displayed more than 50 cars and 20 motorbikes, in 8 classes, at the side and rear of the main House.

Classes

A. Rolls-Royce: 100 years of The Spirit of Ecstasy
B. Road Racers of the 1950s and 1960s
C. Oddballs: Unique Designs and Concepts with 3 Wheels or more
D. 100 Years of The Isle of Man TT Mountain Course
E. Steve McQueen’s Machines
F. Grand Prix single seaters up to and including the 1970s
G. The Thirties
H. Ferrari 250 Series

Judging the individual class winners and the overall winner for the event, was an eminent team of specialists including multiple Le Mans victor Derek Bell, Ferrari historian Marcel Massini, Rolls Royce and Bentley restorer Paul Wood, former CEO of Bentley and Bugatti, Franz-Josef Paefgen and Maserati family member, Aldofo Orsi.

Concours D’Elegance results were:

BEST OF SHOW 2011

WINNER – 1939 Alfa Romeo 6c 2500 S Berlinetta (below)

CLASS A – ROLLS-ROYCE: 100 years of the SPIRIT OF ECSTASY

WINNER – 1932 Rolls-Royce 20/25HP Drophead Coupé

CLASS B – ROAD RACERS OF THE 1950s AND 1960s

WINNER – 1961 Jaguar E-Type OTS

CLASS C – ODDBALLS: UNIQUE DESIGNS AND CONCEPTS WITH 3 WHEELS OR MORE

WINNER – 1949 Tatra T600 Tatraplan

CLASS D -100 Years of the Isle of Man TT Mountain Course

WINNER – Water-Cooled AJS V4 Racer 1939

CLASS E – Steve McQueen’s Machines

WINNER – Métisse Mark III 1966

CLASS F – GRAND PRIX RACERS UP TO AND INCLUDING THE 1970s

WINNER – 1932 Alfa Romeo Tipo B (P3)

CLASS G – THE THIRTIES

WINNER – 1939 Alfa Romeo 6c 2500 S Berlinetta

CLASS H – FERRARI 250 SERIES

WINNER – 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder (below)

MOST EXCITING DESIGN

WINNER – 1961 Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato (below)

BIGGEST ‘WOW’ FACTOR

WINNER – Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade

MOST ORIGINAL

WINNER – 1934 Morgan Super Sports

BEST INTERIOR

WINNER – 1954 Ferrari 250 Europa (below)

For its inaugural event sale, RM Auctions (see below) offered 7 collectors motorcycles and 50 cars of British manufacture, achieving a sales total of £5.1 million and a 77% sale rate. Most expensive “lot” of the evening was the 1929 Bentley Speed Six Le Mans style tourer (£470.4k incl BP), whilst a determined, Continental European customer paid £431.2k for the ex-Sir Peter Ustinov 1961 Aston Martin DB4 Vantage Convertible and a very rare 1959 Jaguar XK150S Roadster achieved an outstanding £201.6k.

Salon Prive has always given attendees the opportunity to view the latest supercars from global manufacturers, alongside the aforementioned Bugatti, also attracting much attention were the award winning Ferrari 458 Italia, the all new Aston Martin Virage and Cygnet, a deep orange hued Lamborghini LP700 (below), the Silverstone UK built, Hennessey Venom GT, the carbon fibre bodied, 570bhp Noble M600 and the ungainly Lexus LFA…. whilst for those seeking a new 4×4 – Land Rover presented the pre-production 2 and 4 door Evoque, and for the ecologically minded, Tesla displayed its 130mph electric powered Roadster.

Bordering the supercar display and concours “field”, were several car centric and “lifestyle” vendors, offering watches, diamonds, luggage and perhaps the most practical….wax polish! More interestingly, several stands displayed Ferrari’s, including 250 SWB 3909GT (the 68^th, steel bodied example built), a giallo F50 and Daytona Competition conversion (both currently for sale) and Carlos Monteverde’s much raced, 250TR.

In the last six weeks, I’ve visited two of Europe’s most prestigious Concours…and thoroughly enjoyed both, but now it’s time for speed…and a highlight of my calendar…… the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where this year’s theme is “Racing Revolutions – quantum leaps that shaped motor sport” and birthday celebrations include the Centenary of the Indy 500….see you there!!