An eye-catching array of valuable classic cars is set to sweep into the elegant grounds of The Royal Hospital, Chelsea, this month for the Salon Privé London Concours de Vente.
Staged over three days from April 16 - 18, more than 90 classics have been confirmed for the unique competition, with judges seeking the best prepared and most original motors for awards, in what organisers describe as an ‘English garden party’ environment.
Unlike a traditional judged concours of privately owned vehicles, the show is unique in that every car is presented by a leading classic car dealer. Front-runners include well-known trade names such as Furlonger, Moss, Joe Macari, Fiskens, Tom Hartley and Dylan Miles, among more than 30 organisations presenting the pick of their inventory - and competing for the coveted ‘Prix d’Honneur’ award.
The unusual twist, compared to traditional Concours events, is that every visitor to Salon Privé has the opportunity to acquire any of the entries in the competition, there and then... as long as their pockets are deep enough.
Alongside the prestigious Prix d’Honneur award, the competition will include the Pensioners’ Choice and People’s Choice trophies. The event will include an unrivalled showcase of hypercar, supercar and classic car displays, luxury retail and fine dining.
Headline automotive displays bound for the lawns include a showcase from Swedish high-performance manufacturer Koenigsegg, a Hypercar Display and a display of Classic Le Mans Edition BMWs as well as models from Maserati Club UK.
Birthday parade
Salon Privé London will also feature rotating exhibits, immersive brand showcases and daily parades. Lotus Drivers Club will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a display, while Porsche Club GB will celebrate its 65th birthday with an anniversary presentation.
The Grand Opening Day launches the event with a strong focus on European and global vehicle unveilings, cutting-edge supercars and hypercars, as well as headline automotive displays across the lawns.
On the Friday, say organisers, the event celebrates style and sophistication with Ladies’ Day and the ‘Best Hat Competition’ by Gatineau, with guests encouraged to ‘dress to impress’.
Supercar Saturday meanwhile delivers what is claimed to be a thrilling family-friendly finale to Salon Privé London, showcasing an impressive collection of supercars and hypercars in an eye-catching curated display, alongside a special display by Maserati Club UK called ‘Maserati Through the Ages’.
Rare view
Andrew Bagley, Chairman and co-founder of Salon Privé, said: “The opportunity to enter the Concours de Vente has proven exceptionally popular this year, and we look forward to welcoming as many classic cars as possible. Our guests will have a rare chance to view and purchase a selection of motors from some of the most established classic car retailers from across the country. We’re looking forward to seeing who drives home from the event in their dream car.”
As an additional automotive treat for Londoners, this year Salon Privé organised a free-to-enter celebration of automotive excellence and craftsmanship on Sloane Street, from 11am - 5pm, on Saturday April 11, including models from Ferrari, McLaren, Aston Martin, Rolls Royce, Lotus, Jaguar and other leading brands.
More information on the Concours is available at www.salonprivelondon.com
