Returning for a second year London’s Salon Prive’ expanded on its previous year with more cars, exhibitors and a whole host of new vehicle launches. Over 70 cars were entered in the Concours which was divided into two classes; class one for cars costing up to £250,000, class two for cars between £250,000 and £1million all these vehicles were up for sale, mostly through dealers, hence the alternative title of Concours de Vente. Despite London’s somewhat cool and changeable weather over 18,000 visitors came through the gates during the three days.
American hypercar and high-performance brand Hennessey revealed the new Venom F5 Roadster. Announcing a new partnership with H.R. Owen, with the new Hennessey London store officially launched at Salon Privé London. The Wiesmann Project Thunderball was a thrilling new model that drew attention as the world’s first pure electric roadster. The 680 bhp, €300,000 car already has a growing waiting list ahead of deliveries beginning in 2024. Abarth launched their all electric 500e Scorpionissima boasting a 0-100 KM/H time of 7 seconds and a sound system that broadcasts an Abarth ‘petrol’ roar when switched on!
Moving back to the concours and cars that generate a roar from an internal combustion engine, Best in Show went to the Aston Workshop’s 1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 Vignale that was commissioned by King Baudouin of Belgium. Vignale created a graceful fastback body from hand-beaten aluminium comprising a large hatch back glazed with Perspex, a wraparound windscreen and upholstered it with a fawn leather interior highlighted with a body-colour dashboard.The King sold the car in the late 50s and it eventually ended up in Virginia USA in a sorry state from where its current owner commissioned Aston Workshops to carry out a nut and bolt rebuild.
Taking the £250,000 t0 £1m class was The Classic Motor Hub’s 1961 Maserati Vignale Spider originally sold to a Brit living in Europe it is one of only five right-hand-drive examples produced. Coming to the UK in 1969 it has recently been restored and upgraded including the fitment of electric steering.
Up to £250,000 fell to another Maserati this time from Graeme Hunt’s dealerships 1966 Maserati Sebring 3700 GTI bought by actor Peter Sellers for his son who kept the vehicle for nearly forty years before selling it in 2004, since then undergoing a £120,000 restoration. Yet again Maserati scored with the peoples choice a 2002 MC12 Stradale entered by Joe Macari.
The Royal Hospital Chelsea is home to the Pensioners, retired regular soldiers who choose to spend their twilight years still within a military environment, as the Concours is held in their magnificent surroundings the men and women who were the scarlet coat vote on their favourite car. Steeped in British military tradition it was of little surprise that they chose a Bentley, a 1954 R-Type Continental with a gracefully sweeping tail section. One of just over 200 built the car is awash with unique upgrades and additions all for just £725,000-possible a little outside a regular soldiers pension income.
Outside the winners there were still many interesting exhibits The Smallest Cog company presented a Chapron-bodied Delahaye in the original colors chosen by its first owner Louis Chiron-French blue of course. A 1900C Alfa Romeo Sprint Coupe’ a rare car that will be seen again in the Goodwood Festival of Speed Concours. A commodious Citroen DS Majesty approximately 25 of these enlarged and luxurious cars were constructed. Few competition cars graced the lawns but a Jaguar XJR-15 compensated for the shortfall once raced by Fangio’s nephew and then John Watson this chassis had an enviable racing history. Possibly the most eye catching exhibit came from the Classic Motor Hub displaying a 1969 Alfa Romeo A12 transporter carrying a beautiful Alfa Giulietta SZ, a show stopper when that duo arrive in any paddock.
Next year’s dates have been set with the event scheduled back at Chelsea for the 18-20th of April with the organizers promising to build further on this year’s success.
