Curtain Falls on Salon Privé Car Week 2024!

The 19^th edition of Salon Privé, the UK’s leading luxury automotive and global Concours event, has been hailed a gargantuan success. On Saturday evening, the curtain fell on the most spectacular five days of new model debuts, stunning classic car rarities, a jaw-dropping Salon Privé Concours victor and the finest in world-class luxury lifestyle and entertainment.

“From the Cotswold Tour to our new Jet Centre Party ‘MotorAvia’ and on to the Concours Show Field itself, we were blessed with fantastic weather, fine food and wine, and great, great cars, but more importantly, great, interesting, friendly entrants who make this show the jewel in the crown of global Concours events,” said Andrew Bagley, Chairman of the Salon Privé. Those who attend say, “It’s where the car world goes to have fun – we know it as the Salon Privé Concours” comments Bagley.

The exclusive MotorAvia pre-party that launched this year’s Salon Privé Week took place at London Oxford Airport and offered a unique and unforgettable experience for all guests who got to enjoy the ultimate fusion of sky and speed, as the latest private jets, a BBJ no-less, and helicopters shared the spotlight with their supercar equivalents. A tantalising preview of the Salon Privé Concours ensued, with gourmet delights and pulsating entertainment delivering an unforgettable experience. A high-flying social occasion now firmly stapled to the social calendar and bringing the UK up to the incredible standards of Monterey Car Week.

This year’s Salon Privé Concours presented by Aviva Private Clients was the largest and most prestigious to date, with 72 cars entered across 14 different Classes. They ranged from the ever-popular Pre-war Classes to celebrations of Bugatti, Rolls-Royce and Ferrari. Fan favourites included Legendary Liveries – which showcased iconic colour schemes such as a Silk Cut Jaguar XJR 8/9, an Alitalia Lancia Stratos HF and a 555 Subaru Impreza WRC97 – while a new Class for 2024 honoured the 60th anniversary of the Ferrari 275. 

All entries gathered on the beautiful South Lawn at Blenheim Palace, having come from as far afield as the USA, Thailand, and even New Zealand. They were judged by a UK-unrivalled panel of international experts, with all entries adjudicated by the International Chief Judge Advisory Group (ICJAG). Salon Privé is one of four ICJAG Plus designated events in the world, as well as being the only ICJAG professionally-judged Concours event in the UK.

The 2024 Salon Privé Concours presented by Aviva Private Clients was won by a fabulous 1957 Ferrari 335 S, entered by American enthusiast Brian Ross. The Maranello sports racer thrilled onlookers when it took part in the Tour Privé on Tuesday, 27 August, and it proved to be just as popular with the expert judging panel when it appeared on the Concours Show Field the following day.

“We are truly delighted with this year’s Best of Show 1957 Ferrari 335 S by Scaglietti,” said Andrew Bagley, the Salon Privé Concours Chairman. “You only have to look at the great names who raced it to realise how significant a sports car it was and appreciate what a cherished place it holds in Ferrari history. This beautiful Ferrari competed in a golden period of sports-car racing, and we all now look forward to its entry into the Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award 2025.”

The Judges ‘Rarity and Elegance Award’ was presented to owner Albert Hitchcock for his superb 1971 Monteverdi High-Speed 375L by Fizzore, with this stunning model entering the Post-War Closed Class. A unique Australian beauty, it is only one of nine made in right-hand drive, having been displayed at the Quail in Monterey in 2019, where it won its Class. It has now won the Judges’ hearts for the ‘Rarity and Elegance Award’ at Salon Privé Concours 2024.

The complete list of award winners is presented below.

While the Salon Privé Concours took centre stage at Blenheim Palace, the South Lawn was full of a spectacular array of new cars, with many making their UK and world debuts. Those included the remarkable Tuthill GT ONE making its UK debut just days after it was revealed for the first time to global acclaim during Monterey Car Week. Landing at Salon Privé directly from The Quail, it was a real homecoming for this remarkable homage to 1990s FIA GT1 racing cars for Le Mans, with Porsche specialist, Tuthill based in nearby Banbury – where the GT ONE was conceived.

The Tuthill GT ONE is a road-going car with a full carbon fibre body designed by California’s Florian Flatau. Just 22 cars will be built, each requiring 3,500 hours of meticulous build time. Owners have a choice of specifications, including either a naturally aspirated 4.0-litre six-cylinder engine, producing over 500bhp – or a turbocharged version producing over 600bhp. Richard Tuthill said: “The FIA GT1 class enabled manufacturers to created stunning race cars. We have taken the best bits but focused on producing a wonderful road car… I hope you can all enjoy it with us!”

Kingsley Re-Engineered, which made a breathtaking world debut for its new definitive Defender series during the opening presentation on day one. The new stand-alone series of restored Kingsley Defenders combines “the British brand’s two-decade-long history with the Land Rover marque with modern needs”. Every alteration, insists Kingsley, retains the essence of a Land Rover Defender “while transforming it into a perfect companion for both off- and on-road trips”.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars presented the Cullinan Series II proving once more that the future of this marque will be shaped in partnership with its clients and characterised by exquisite contemporary crafts. Cullinan remains the most requested Rolls-Royce model within the marque’s current product portfolio, and the Series II is a bold evolution of the world’s pre-eminent super-luxury SUV.

British hypercar manufacturer Naran Automotive debuted the Naran Hyper Coupe for the first time in the UK. A striking four-seat hyper coupe promising up to 1,000bhp, just 39 cars will be built, with deposits already accepted for the £2m supercar. “Our cars are about indulging our owners in unparalleled tailoring and visceral performance, offering them all the things they have always dreamed about in a vehicle,” said CEO Ameerh Naran.

Representing luxury German tuning brand BRABUS, Sheffield-based BRABUS Topcars presented a mouthwatering line-up of six thrilling cars – the BRABUS G800, BRABUS GLS800, BRABUS Range Rover SV, BRABUS Porsche Turbo S 820, BRABUS AMGT 930 and the new BRABUS SL750 Performance. Making its first UK appearance, the BRABUS SL750 Performance has a power enhancement package including hybrid turbos that take output up to 750bhp, with a carbon fibre aerodynamics package. The car is also fitted with newly released BRABUS Monoblock ZM alloys.

The MG Cyber GTS was showcased just weeks after its world debut to celebrate MG’s 100th anniversary. Inspired by the 1968 MGC GTC Sebring, which secured the best-ever factory MG result at the legendary 12 Hours of Sebring, the sleek coupe is finished in classic British Racing Green. The electric GT is said to capture the spirit of the MGC GTS Sebring “whilst delivering a rear-wheel drive car utilising the MG of today’s advanced, high-performance EV powertrains… the Cyber GTS Concept explores the further potential for MG creating a new future for GTS model in the EV era”.

Brand-new Italian automotive icons were out in force at Salon Privé. Making its UK debut, the new Maserati GranCabrio Trofeo, an evocative four-seat luxury cabriolet powered by a 550bhp 3.0-litre V6 ‘Nettuno’ twin-turbo engine which took part in each of the Salon Privé daily parades. Alongside it, Maserati also presented two other stunning models, the GranTurismo Trofeo PrimaSerie, celebrating 75 years of fine Italian grand touring and the company’s flagship supercar, the MC20 Cielo.

Other brands at Salon Privé 2024 included Aston Martin, Electrogenic, Koenigsegg, Lamborghini, Lotus, Morgan, Mulliner, Oshe Automotive, Porsche and Zenvo Automotive. Daily parades on the main stage provided representatives of the brands the opportunity to present the new cars in detail as well as allowing the guests to see and hear them in motion, just as they did on Thursday evening when Salon Privé LIVE took to the quaint, cobbled streets of neighbouring Woodstock to the thrill of the local residents.

Meanwhile back at Blenheim on the central cricket square, this year’s colour-themed collection was BLUE and accordingly, 16 incredible super and classic cars, all in varying shades, were proudly presented. Following previous colour-themed collections of yellow, platinum and red, this year’s spectacular collection was estimated to be worth in excess of £120 million, thanks in part to the inclusion of a sublime 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO by Joe Macari. Highlights of the collection included a 1951 Bentley Petersen Dartmoor Coupe, 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB, 1979 Ferrari 512BB, 1980 Lotus Esprit ‘Essex’, 2019 McLaren Senna and a unique 1989 Ferrari F40 finished in Azzurro Hyperion from Furlonger Cars.

Friday was Salon Privé Style Day presented by Boodles, where the very finest in Salon Privé style, elegance, and class were enjoyed as part of the Blenheim Palace luxury lifestyle celebration. Guests enjoyed fine dining and Pommery Champagne—plus the thrill of the famous Boodles Best Hat Competition! A delighted Leonora Smee won The Best Hat Competition in her stunning Vivien Sheriff Helter Skelter Hat, taking away a gorgeous Boodles pendant, a £1,000 LK Bennett London voucher, a £1,000 GATINEAU Paris skincare voucher and 6 bottles of Pommery’s finest Cuvée Louise 2005.

Then followed the largest premium supercar party the UK has ever seen with Supercar Saturday at Salon Privé. The biggest single day of the five-day event saw 1,540 privately owned sports, super and hypercars, descend on the North Lawn of Blenheim, all hoping to walk away with one of the prized Salon Privé Club Trophies presented by Lockton.

Returning for its sixth year, the Salon Privé Club Trophy presented by Lockton uniquely awarded not one, but two trophies this year for the most exceptional classic and modern car.

This year’s line-up of car clubs, 26 in total, included the Aston Martin Owners Club, Ferrari Owners’ Club, Jaguar Enthusiasts Club, Lamborghini Club UK, Lotus Drivers Club, Maserati Club UK, McLaren Owners Club UK, Mercedes-Benz Club, Morgan Sports Car Club, Porsche Club Great Britain, and the Rolls-Royce & Bentley Enthusiasts’ Club, to name a few.

After a day of judging, the awards were announced, with Simon Ambler, Senior VP Head of Lockton Performance, presenting the prestigious awards to two exceptional vehicles: a stunning 1967 Aston Martin DB6 Coupe which won Best Club Car – Classic and an ultra-rare 2013 Noble M600 Carbon Fibre Edition which won Best Club Car – Modern Classic.

Simon Ambler from Lockton said: “Here at Lockton, we consider Salon Privé our flagship event. All the major high-end car clubs are presented in one location, with judging held in the famous grounds of a most magnificent venue. The success of this year’s event follows an extension of our long-standing partnership with Salon Privé. I offer my thanks to everyone who showcased their wonderful automobiles and congratulate the winners of the 2024 Salon Privé Club Trophies presented by Lockton.”

The Salon Privé 2024’s Grand Finale saw over 12,000 guests enjoy Salon Privé Supercar Saturday, with a multitude of celebrations from Rolls-Royce Motor Cars’ 120^th anniversary this year, two landmark Porsche anniversaries including 50 years of the Porsche 911 Turbo and 25 years of the Porsche 911 GT3 and a “Quattroparty” celebrating 60 years of the Maserati Quattroporte.

Salon Privé Chairman Andrew Bagley said: “Our new five-day Salon Privé format has proven to be an overwhelming success, with our guests and partners able to showcase their wonderful collections in country club style on the lawns of Blenheim Palace. With world debuts, along with European and UK first sees, the event continues to be a high-profile opportunity for brands to show their latest creations to our enthusiastic and elite guests. We saw notable motoring anniversaries celebrated, some of the world’s finest and rarest cars honoured in the Salon Privé Concours and with an overwhelmingly successful Supercar Saturday crowning the best cars from the UK’s finest car clubs, it was another memorable event to relish. Bring on the 20th Anniversary of Salon Privé at Blenheim Palace”

Next Year – Salon Privé Week 2025
26 August – Salon Privé MotorAvia
27 August – Salon Privé Concours presented by Aviva Private Clients
28 August – Salon Privé Concours Awards presented by Aviva Private Clients
29 August – Salon Privé Style Friday presented by Boodles
30 August – Salon Privé Supercar Saturday and Club Trophy presented by Lockton
Tickets can be purchased via the website: www.salonpriveconcours.com

FULL LIST OF WINNERS
2024 Salon Privé Concours presented by Aviva Private Clients

Best of Show
1957 Ferrari 335 S by Scaglietti entered by Brian Ross

Best of Show Runner-up
1933 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Sport Saloon by Freestone & Webb entered by Lord Bamford

Best of Show Third Place
1927 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8AS Fleetwood Roadster entered by Nic & Shelley Schorsch

Chairman’s Award
1923 Rolls-Royce Springfield Silver Ghost Pall Mall entered by Jack Boyd Smith Jnr

Duke of Marlborough Award
1993 Lamborghini Diablo entered by Lars Nielsen

People’s Choice
1996 Ferrari F50 by Pininfarina entered by Paul Hogarth

Class A: Pre-War Open
Winner: 1927 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8AS Fleetwood Roadster entered by Nic and Shelley Schorsch
Honourable Mention: 1937 Cord 812 SC Convertible Phaeton entered by Yohan Poonawalla

Class B: Bugatti – Grand Prix to Grand Touring
Winner: 1939 Bugatti Type 57 Cabriolet by Saoutchik entered by Anne Brockinton-Lee
Honourable Mention: 1927 Bugatti Type 38 Philadelphia by Figoni entered by Luc Slijpen

Class C: Pre-War Closed/Elegance
Winner: 1938 Bentley 4^¼ L Brougham de Ville by James Young entered by Axel Schroeter
Honourable Mention: 1930 Bentley 4^½ L Sports Saloon by Freestone & Webb entered by Peter Little

Class D1: Inspiring Greatness – 120 Years of Rolls Royce (Pre-War)
Winner: 1933 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Sport Saloon by Freestone & Webb entered by Lord Bamford
Honourable Mention: 1911 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost ‘London-Edinburgh’ by Holmes entered by John Snook

Class D2: Inspiring Greatness – 120 Years of Rolls-Royce (Post-War)
Winner: 1954 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn DHC by Park Ward entered by Volker Schumann  
Honourable Mention: 1988 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit 2-door by Hooper & Co. entered by Tony Robinson

Class E: Post-War Open
Winner: 1951 Mercedes-Benz 300S Cabriolet A entered by Albert Streminski
Honourable Mention: 1960 Maserati 3500 GT Spyder by Vignale entered by Claudio Mosconi

Class F1: Post-War Closed (International)
Winner: 1960 Maserati 3500 GT by Touring entered by Greg Newman
Honourable Mention: 1968 Lamborghini Islero GT by Marazzi entered by John Day

Class F2: Post-War Closed (British)
Winner: 1952 Jaguar XK 120 Supersonic by Ghia entered by Bill Heinecke
Honourable Mention: 1986 Aston Martin V8 Vantage X Pack entered by Lee Malpass

Class G: Sports-Racers
Winner: 1957 Ferrari 335 S by Scaglietti entered by Brian Ross
Honourable Mention: 1954 Jaguar D-type entered by Vijay Mallya

Class H: Ferraris of the 1950s & ’60s
Winner: 1953 Ferrari 166 MM Spider by Vignale entered by Lord Bamford
Honourable Mention: 1963 Ferrari 400 Superamerica Coupé Aerodinamico by Pininfarina entered by Michael Korecky

Class I: 60th Anniversary of the Ferrari 275
Winner: 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB/C by Scaglietti entered by Private collector
Honourable Mention: 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB 6C by Pininfarina entered by James Cottingham

Class J: Legendary Liveries
Winner: 1996 Subaru Impreza WRC97 by Prodrive entered by Richard Coar
Honourable Mention: 1974 Lancia Stratos HF by Bertone – Alitalia, entered by Christian Gläsel

Class K: Supercar Icons – Prancing Horse
Winner: 1996 Ferrari F50 by Pininfarina entered by Karim Said
Honourable Mention: 1985 Ferrari 288 GTO by Pininfarina entered by Martin Allmand-Smith

Class L: Supercar Icons to 2005
Winner: 2004 Porsche 996.2 GT2 entered by Rob Howarth
Honourable Mention: 1993 Lamborghini Diablo by Gandini entered by Lars Nielsen

HONORARY AWARDS
Spirit Award – The Margaret Bagley Trophy
1960 Maserati 3500 GT Spider by Vignale entered by Claudio Mosconi

Most Exceptional Coachwork
1966 Ferrari 500 Superfast by Pininfarina entered by Andrew Bagnell

Most Opulent
1969 Rolls-Royce Phantom VI Park Ward entered by Murad Salikhov

Coup de Coeur – The Matt Pearce Trophy
1958 AC Ace entered by Mike Dacre

Best Interior
1939 Rolls-Royce Wraith by Mann Egerton entered by Edward Iliffe

Most Elegant
1932 Bugatti Type 55 by Gangloff entered by Shane Houlihan

Most Iconic – The George Barry Gregory Trophy
1965 Rolls-Royce Phantom V by Mulliner Park Ward entered by Jody Klein

Best Works Car
1956 Lister-Maserati entered by Christian Jenny

Best Liveried Race Car
1967 MGC GTS Lightweight entered by Martin Block

Best Open Car
1965 Ferrari 275 GTS by Pininfarina entered by Joe Macari

Rarity & Elegance Award
1971 Monteverdi High Speed 375L by Fizzore entered by Albert Hitchcock

For all event information, please visit https://www.salonpriveconcours.com/