SALON PRIVÉ ANNOUNCE FIRST PUBLIC SIGHTING OF STEVE McQUEEN’s 650CC TRIUMPH MOTORCYCLE ON WHICH HE JUMPED IN THE GREAT ESCAPE

SALON PRIVÉ ANNOUNCE FIRST PUBLIC SIGHTING OF STEVE McQUEEN’s 650CC TRIUMPH MOTORCYCLE ON WHICH HE JUMPED IN THE GREAT ESCAPE

A motorcycle famously ridden by silver screen icon Steve McQueen in The Great Escape is set to star in the Chubb Insurance Concours d’Elégance at Salon Privé on Thursday 30th August.  

The 1962 650cc TR6R, which is presently on display at the Triumph Factory Visitor Experience at Hinckley in Leicestershire, has not been shown publicly since this celluloid classic was made in 1963. It is just one of a mouth-watering array of iconic motorcycles which will be vying for honours at Blenheim Palace across three classes

An accomplished amateur racer on 2- and 4 -wheels, McQueen begged the film’s director John Sturges to let him perform the famous stunt which saw his character Virgil Hilts attempt to flee his pursuers by jumping across barricades and barbed wire from Germany into neutral Switzerland.  The film’s insurers wouldn’t allow it, so the task fell to the King of Cool’s great friend and sometime team-mate Bud Ekins instead. World War 2-era machine would not have been up to the task, so as many as three TR6Rs were aged to look the part and used for the rough stuff. The stunt entered into legend in an instant and helped cement the film’s legendary status. 

The McQueen Triumph will be competing in Class B, with judging taking place on August 30. It will be on general display on Friday, August 31.  

Salon Privé welcomes bike enthusiasts from all over the world to share their passion for classic motorbikes.  Chubb Insurance Concours d’Elégance holds three classes for two-wheeled classics:  

Class A: Exceptional Motorbikes 1900-1939 Class B: Exceptional Motorbikes 1940-1979 Class C: Exceptional Competition Motorbikes  

CHEQUERED FLAG FALLS ON THIS YEARS CLASSIC & SPORTS CAR SHOW IN ASSOCIATION WITH FLYWHEEL

CHEQUERED FLAG FALLS ON THIS YEARS CLASSIC & SPORTS CAR SHOW IN ASSOCIATION WITH FLYWHEEL

The Oxfordshire countryside reverberated with the sound of engines today, Sunday 24 June, for the final day of The Classic & Sports Car Show in association with Flywheel, held at Bicester Heritage this weekend. A magnificent collection of classic road and competition cars, motorcycles, vintage aircraft and military machines entertained a crowd of thousands during the two-day show, with special guests including Le Mans legend Derek Bell MBE, Car SOS presenter Fuzz Townshend and seven World War Two veterans to honour the centenary of the RAF and end of the First World War.

The 1914 aero-engined Fafnir Hall-Scott Special driven by Car SOS presenter Fuzz Townshend

An astonishing array of machines took to the Show’s demonstration track, illustrating the huge diversity of cars on display, from the 1914 aero-engined Fafnir Hall-Scott Special to the 1926 Bentley 3 Litre Sports that competed in the 1926 Le Mans 24-Hour Race and 1957 AC Aceca Bristol. Meanwhile, in amongst the historic buildings of Bicester Heritage’s Technical Site – the UK’s best-preserved WW2 bomber station – a specially-curated collection of classic cars gathered for the inaugural Flywheel Concours. Six categories of cars were present, all pre-1976 to reflect the fact that RAF Bicester was closed in that year. 

Each of the cars was judged by classic car experts, including revered motoring journalists Steve Cropley, Giles Chapman and Richard Dredge, car designer and former Head of Design at Morgan Matthew Humphries, along with classic Concours specialists Tim Sawyer and Peter Jennings. The following vehicles were judged to be the finest in their respective group and were presented with trophies:

•    Dawn of the supercar, in association with JBR Capital: 1971 Lamborghini Miura SV, entered by Niall Holden and previously owned by rock singer Rod Stewart 

•    Movie star cars: 1974 AMC Hornet Coupe, entered by Nigel Jeffery 

•    50 years of British Leyland: 1976 Triumph TR7, entered by Charles Porter

•    Classic & Historic Rally Cars: 1962 Triumph TR4, entered by Gareth Firth 

•    The Class of 1948: 1951 Jaguar XK120 Roadster, entered by Christian Baker 

•    Best in Show: 1962 Jaguar E-Type Coupe, entered by Lee & Denise Choat, which was driven by Sean Connery in 1964 British film Woman of Straw, and was awarded ‘Best in Show’ for its degree of originality

Another new feature of the show was the People’s Concours. This was voted for by showgoers and visitors to the Show's website, with cars competing each day for the title of People’s Champion. Dale Scutter scooped the award for the first day of the Show with his 1960 Hillman Minx Series 3A, while James Howell took Sunday’s prize with his 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1. When the votes for both days were tallied, Dale’s Minx pipped the Mustang to the post to win the David Evans Trophy, named after the late and much-missed Classic & Sports Car clubs’ liaison

 Winner of the 'Dawn of the supercar, in association with JBR Capital' class, the 1971 Lamborghini Miura SV, entered by Niall Holden and previously owned by rock singer Rod Stewart

As well as the Flywheel Concours, visitors to the Show got a behind-the-scenes look at the businesses that operate in the Technical Site at Bicester Heritage, including vehicle storage specialist Historit; Porsche experts Sports Purpose; paint restorers Auto Wax Works, and historic car sales companies Pendine and Robert Glover Ltd. 

Alongside the on-track action, a host of vintage aircraft took to the skies, including the bright red Pitts Special aerobatic biplane of former British Female Aerobatic Champion Lauren Richardson, who gave aerobatic demonstrations, while Finest Hour Experiences offered Tiger Moth flights above the historic site. The Show also paid special tributes to the centenary of the RAF and end of the First World War with air displays coming courtesy of the Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) Dakota, the Bremont Great War Display Team and the BBMF Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster. There were also recreations of a WW1 ‘dogfight’ with Sopwith and Fokker Dr1 triplanes. 

During the weekend, seven WW2 veterans visited the Show including 97-year-old Wing Commander John Francis Durham ‘Tim’ Elkington, one of the few surviving Royal Air Force fighter pilots who flew during the Battle of Britain. Elkington, who lives in Little Rissington, Gloucestershire, joined No. 1 Squadron RAF at RAF Northolt in 1941, from where he flew Hawker Hurricanes during the Battle of Britain.

Alastair Clements, Classic & Sports Car magazine’s Editor in Chief, said: “The response to this year’s show has been phenomenal. Flywheel has established itself as a must-attend event in the past three years, but as our first year as The Classic & Sports Car Show in association with Flywheel, this has been taken to a new level in a way that seems entirely appropriate. It’s not just a car show and not just an air show; there’s a bit of something for everyone. There are lots of families here enjoying themselves and we’re really glad that the Show has preserved the very special and relaxed atmosphere it’s had in the past while combining more of the fantastic machinery and classic cars that visitors want to see up close.”

As this year’s Show concludes, next year The Classic & Sports Car Show in association with Flywheel has been confirmed to take place on 22-23 June 2019. 

VIDEO: WW2 Veterans Take Flight & Derek Bell MBE Demonstrates Porsche Racer As The Classic & Sports Car Show In Association With Flywheel Opens To The Public

VIDEO: WW2 Veterans Take Flight & Derek Bell MBE Demonstrates Porsche Racer As The Classic & Sports Car Show In Association With Flywheel Opens To The Public

DOWNLOAD VIDEO BROLL HERE: https://we.tl/iDXgeqt9ro

Crowds flocked to Bicester Heritage today, Saturday 23 June, for the opening day of The Classic & Sports Car Show in association with Flywheel, which takes place 23-24 June. As well as hosting a huge array of classic road and competition cars, bikes, vintage aircraft and military machines in the Oxfordshire sunshine, the event was attended by six World War Two veterans in honour of the centenaries of the Royal Air Force and the end of the First World War.

RAF veterans Maurice Marriott (aged 93) and Eddie Habberley (aged 95), both from Duston in Northamptonshire, returned to the skies in Tiger Moth aircraft above Bicester Heritage, a former WW2 RAF bomber station. The pair had both trained in the aircraft during their time with the RAF

WW2 veterans with Derek Bell (far left) following Maurice Marriott (centre) and
Eddie Habberley's (third from right) flight in the Tiger Moths

Habberley, who was based in Burma during WW2, said: “I joined the RAF when I was 18 years old and started training in Tiger Moths. I then trained in the U.S. before heading to the Middle East and Burma where we flew Spitfires. It’s great that so much has happened for RAF100 and wonder how much interest there is from people of all generations. I haven’t been in a Tiger Moth since 1941 and going up today, I didn’t remember how breezy it was up there! There was a nice cross-wind for take-off and landing, which made it quite interesting. It bounced around something terrific and was really good fun, absolutely marvellous!”

Also in attendance, thanks to the support of the Royal British Legion Duston & District Branch and the Royal Air Forces Association, were Martin Calvert (92) of the Scots Guards, from Rothersthorpe; Edward ‘Ted’ Barker (95) Sub Lieutenant on HMS Arbiter, who lives in Church Brampton, and husband-and-wife pairing of Dennis (93) and Joan Wells (93) from Dallington, who acted as wireless operators and a clerk and typist

Eddie Habberley after landing in the Tiger Moth

Alongside the incredible Tiger Moths, an array of vintage aircraft were on static display and took to the skies for demonstrations during today’s show, including the Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) Dakota, the Bremont Great War Display Team and the BBMF Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster.

On land, Le Mans legend Derek Bell MBE wowed the crowds by demonstrating a 1965 Porsche 911 2-litre race car. The British racing star, who has won the Le Mans 24-Hour Race five times, the 24 Hours of Daytona three times and the World Sportscar Championship twice, met with show visitors and signed copies of his new book, Derek Bell: All My Porsche Races.

Speaking about the show, Bell said: “Seeing the old planes being flown in such a daring way and showing the real history of what made England what it is, is very special. The crowds are so excited to see the planes because you don’t see them very often so it is magnificent. Driving the 1965 Porsche 911 racer has also been a lot of fun today. When I look at Porsche’s race cars it is terribly impressive to see what they produced over the years. Because I know Porsche so personally I find the race cars the spectacular part, but that was my life; I fell in love with the race cars and now I love the road cars too. But to see all the classic cars from such a variety of marques here at the Show is beautiful to see - they are pieces of art.”

Derek Bell takes to the demonstration track in a 1965 Porsche 911 racer

Alastair Clements, Classic & Sports Car magazine's Editor in Chief, said: “It’s been a fantastic first day of the Show, with so much action for people to see on track and in the skies. A huge amount of care and attention has gone into curating the collection of vehicles showcased – be they classic cars, planes, military machines or motorbikes – and we’re delighted to have welcomed so many visitors to admire and enjoy them.

“It has been particularly special to have incredible WW2 veterans join us, and seeing them return to the machines that they consider old friends has been very touching. We look forward to welcoming more visitors to the show tomorrow to join the festivities in the Oxfordshire sunshine,” added Clements.

The Classic & Sports Car Show in association with Flywheel concludes tomorrow, Sunday 24 June. Wing Commander John Francis Durham ‘Tim’ Elkington, one of the few surviving Royal Air Force fighter pilots who flew during the Battle of Britain, will attend the Show.

A huge selection of historic road and race cars are on show

SALON PRIVÉ CONFIRMS HIS GRACE, THE 12TH DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH AS HONORARY PATRON

SALON PRIVÉ CONFIRMS HIS GRACE, THE 12TH DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH AS HONORARY PATRON

From humble beginnings, at The Hurlingham Club in London, to the spectacular lawns of ‘Britain’s Greatest Palace’, Blenheim Palace, Salon Privé has come a long way in a relatively short space of time, especially when one considers the events it is most frequently compared to are at least 60 years old.

 Now in its 13th consecutive year, and with a long-term agreement in place, the event is set for a long and bright future at Blenheim Palace, made all the more ‘formal’ by the recent announcement that His Grace, The 12th Duke of Marlborough has accepted brothers Andrew and David Bagley’s request to become the event’s official Patron.

“I was honoured to be asked by Andrew and David Bagley to become the Honorary Patron of Salon Privé and had no hesitation in accepting the position,” commented His Grace, The Duke. “I have long been a car enthusiast and through my honorary patronage hope to support the event through known car collectors and also my relationship with a number of manufacturers. I am delighted that Blenheim is confirmed as the new long-term venue for Salon Privé. During the last three years the event has been held here, I have seen it grow and expand, and this year it will encompass the whole of the hallowed turf of the South Lawn. Whilst Salon Privé is a private event, the general public will also have the opportunity to see these incredible cars on the Sunday during Blenheim Palace Classic & Supercar, the sister event to Salon Privé. I greatly value the trust that has developed between myself and the Bagley brothers, who do an incredible job in putting together this annual super car show.”

 “It’s a real privilege for us to be able to host our event at Blenheim Palace” commented Andrew Bagley, Managing Director. “Our sponsors, clients, Concours entrants and guests have shown incredible enthusiasm for the event since its move to Blenheim Palace, there is simply no other Concours event like it in the UK. My brother and I are truly grateful for the support we have received from the whole Blenheim team, which in turn has enabled us to focus on further developing Salon Privé as a world-class event on all levels. Now to have His Grace, The Duke of Marlborough, as our Patron is an absolute honour.”

26/06/18   CHELSEA SKILLS ZONE COMES TO THE SILVERSTONE CLASSIC Unique opportunity for football coaching at the Silverstone Classic Coaching to be provided by Chelsea FC courtesy of official tyre partner, Yokohama Free coaching for kids aged 5-16 with other football activities for all Taking part just one week after this year’s World Cup Final, visitors to the Silverstone Classic will have the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of superstars such as Eden Hazard, Gary Cahill and Olivier Giroud and improve their football skills with coaching from Chelsea Football Club. Located in the Yokohama Chelsea Skills Zone, which will be situated near the giant wheel by the JET Village Green, a series of free coaching sessions will be available for kids aged 5-16 throughout the weekend. During the sessions, Chelsea FC Foundation coaches will put aspiring players through their paces in a series of drills and skills. “We’re looking forward to an amazing summer of motoring and sporting action,” comments David Seward, managing director Yokohama. “The Yokohama Chelsea Skills Zone, will combine these two fantastic elements and give visitors to the Silverstone Classic a unique opportunity to brush up on their skills with some of the best football coaches in the country.” In addition to the kids’ coaching sessions, visitors of all ages will be able to take part in a number of skills competitions to be in with the chance of winning a host of Yokohama and Chelsea FC merchandise. Commenting on the news, Event Director, Nick Wigley said: “Each year we aim to put on a full line-up of off-track fun and entertainment for all the family. This year, we’re delighted that Yokohama is wholeheartedly embracing our mantra of flat out family fun with this exciting new addition to the programme in this, a fabulous summer of World Cup football.” Yokohama, the official tyre partner of the Silverstone Classic, has been the shirt partner of Chelsea FC since the 2015-16 season. During that time the Club has won both the Premier League and the FA Cup giving the tyre manufacturer recognition around the world.

SILVERSTONE CLASSIC - THE GENERATION GAME

Pagani Zonda in the Silverstone pit-lane.   THE GENERATION GAME • Introducing Supercar Legends presented by Yokohama   • Special new showcase featuring past and present icons • Exotic paragons from mainstream and specialist manufacturers • Ford, Honda, Koenigsegg, Lexus, Pagani and TVR all confirmed  • Silverstone Classic tickets must be purchased in advance  With record racing grids plus massive car club displays, supercars are no strangers to the Silverstone Classic… now, though, they will have their own dazzling dedicated display. The spectacular ‘Supercar Legends presented by Yokohama’ showcase is a major new attraction based right at the heart of the venue’s prestigious International Paddock and will be open to the event’s 100,000 visitors throughout next month’s eagerly-anticipated three-day festival (20-22 July). Adding to its allure, the standout display will not only put the spotlight on the latest generation of exotic speedsters from leading supercar manufacturers but, in keeping with the event’s overall theme, will also co-star iconic forebears thus highlighting the enviable sporting heritage of participating brands. Swedish hypercar specialist Koenigsegg will be brandishing its current 249mph mid-engined Agera alongside its predecessor, the equally extreme CCX. Italian automotive maestro Pagani is another to be showcasing its pedigree: the company’s latest Huayra paragon lining-up alongside its revered previous offering, the striking Zonda. TVR will be out in force, too, underlining its welcome rebirth with a pair of time-lapse Griffiths: a first generation model from the sixties sharing the limelight with the marque’s latest Gordon Murray designed newcomer that has been wowing motoring enthusiasts since it was unveiled. These supercar specialists will be joined on the ‘Supercar Legends presented by Yokohama’ dais by a number of more mainstream manufacturers, all with serious sportscar credentials. Ford’s latest high-tech GT will be starring alongside the US giant’s previous homage to its legendary sixties GT40 Le Mans winner. Likewise, there will be a display of two generations of the much-loved Honda NSX while Lexus’ latest stellar LC500 will be rubbing shoulders with one of the luxury manufacturer’s equally red-blooded LF-As dating back to the start of this decade. Further fuelling the adrenalin rush, visitors to the Classic on Saturday will be treated to an unmissable 3D supercar experience with the eye-catching collection being fired up for a memorable parade lap of the full Silverstone Grand Prix track.        “This new Supercar Legends celebration really is the best of both worlds,” extolled Event Director, Nick Wigley. “Visitors get to see the most exciting and celebrated machines from past eras together with some of today’s greatest creations; the dclassics of the future... all in one great big mouth-watering gathering. It’s going to be something very special that I’m sure will evolve into yet another of the many, many crowd-pleasing highlights at the annual Silverstone Classic.”  Whether lured by the incredible supercars, or by the unrivalled retro race-card, or by the 10,000+ classic cars on show, or by the amazing array of fun-fuelled family entertainment, all Silverstone Classic tickets must be purchased in advance. Adult admission is priced from just £45 and considerable savings are on offer for both families and those spending the full weekend at Silverstone. Hospitality and camping options are also available. Full details can be found on the official www.silverstoneclassic.com website.

BATTLE OF BRITAIN PILOT TIM ELKINGTON TO ATTEND THE CLASSIC & SPORTS CAR SHOW IN ASSOCIATION WITH FLYWHEEL

BATTLE OF BRITAIN PILOT TIM ELKINGTON TO ATTEND THE CLASSIC & SPORTS CAR SHOW IN ASSOCIATION WITH FLYWHEEL

Wing Commander John Francis Durham ‘Tim’ Elkington, one of the few surviving Royal Air Force fighter pilots who flew during the Battle of Britain, will be attending this year’s Classic & Sports Car Show in association with Flywheel.

The 97-year-old veteran of one of the most important battles of World War Two will be attending on the second day of the show – Sunday 24th June.

Born in Edgbaston and now living in Little Rissington, Gloucestershire, Tim joined the Royal Air Force in September 1939 as a Flight Cadet.  He was commissioned on 14 July 1940, and joined No. 1 Squadron RAF at RAF Northolt a day later, from where he flew Hawker Hurricanes during the Battle of Britain.

Tim was promoted to Flying Officer and then Flight Lieutenant and continued to fly Hawker Hurricanes during other battles in World War Two.  He continued to serve in the RAF after the war and was promoted to Wing Commander in 1961 before retiring in 1975. 

As part of this year’s event, Tim will have the opportunity to witness the spectacular Bremont Great War Display Team staging an exhilarating recreation of a WW1 ‘dogfight’, with aircraft such as Sopwith and Fokker Dr1 triplanes. The air display programme also includes displays from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, featuring Dakota, Spitfire, Lancaster and Hurricane aircraft

Tim Elkington commented: “This is a very special year as we are marking both the Centenary of the RAF and World War One.  As a member of the RAF, it means a lot to me to be able to attend events such as this one and provide an RAF presence.  As one of the few surviving pilots of the Battle of Britain I also enjoy being able to share my stories of how, with luck(!), I survived the battle.”

Alastair Clements, Classic & Sports Car Magazine's Editor in Chief, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming Tim Elkington to the Show. As one of the remaining members of ‘The Few’, he is an inspiration to us all and has so many incredible stories to share. We are thrilled to be able to share our fantastic historic air displays and aircraft with him and look forward to marking this special Centenary year at the Show.

Advance tickets to The Classic & Sports Car Show in association with Flywheel start from £23 per adult, £10 per child (5-15) and £55 per family. Entry for children under the age of five years is free, as is parking. VIP package upgrades are also available, which include parking and hospitality. For further information and to purchase Show tickets, visit www.classicandsportscarshow.com.

FUZZ TOWNSHEND TO DEMONSTRATE 1920's FAFNIR SPECIAL AT THE CLASSIC & SPORTS CAR SHOW IN ASSOCIATION WITH FLYWHEEL

FUZZ TOWNSHEND TO DEMONSTRATE 1920's FAFNIR SPECIAL AT THE CLASSIC & SPORTS CAR SHOW IN ASSOCIATION WITH FLYWHEEL

British drummer, TV presenter and classic car fanatic Fuzz Townshend will be taking to the Bicester Heritage demonstration track at The Classic & Sports Car Show in association with Flywheel to demonstrate a spectacular 1920s Fafnir Hall-Scott Special. 
 
Car SOS presenter Townshend, who recently became a partner in Bicester Heritage-based business Classic Oils, will be taking to the demonstration track along with over 100 other stunning classic cars this weekend, 23-24 June. The Fafnir Hall-Scott Special is styled on the Fafnir team cars of the early 1920s but has a floor-shaking, 10,000cc WW1 aero engine in place of the 2-litre supercharged unit that featured in the original cars.

The 1914 Fafnir Hall-Scott Special that Fuzz Townshend will drive at the Show

Image Credit: John Hughes Photo Air Press

Talking about his upcoming appearance at the Show, Townshend said: “I love driving pre-war cars and I’m really looking forward to getting behind the enormous wheel of the Fafnir at the Show.” 

 

It will be Fuzz’s first visit to The Classic & Sports Car Show in association with Flywheel, as well as his first drive of an Edwardian aero-engined racer, but that doesn’t faze him: “There are lots to concentrate on with these old cars, so I don’t expect I’ll be waving to the crowd much! I love Bicester Heritage and everything it’s doing to bring the next generation into the myriad businesses that support car restoration. Having an exciting, all-action show like this at the home of our Classic Oils business adds a unique dimension to this already special place.

As well as the on-track action, visitors to The Classic & Sports Car Show in association with Flywheel will have the opportunity to walk around Bicester Heritage’s technical site that is filled with a variety of specialist classic automotive businesses that will open for the Show. This includes Classic Oils, which is situated in the original Lubricant Store at Bicester Heritage and offers a complete range of oils, lubricants, fuel treatments, coolants and accessories for veteran, vintage and classic vehicles. 

 

The Classic & Sports Car Show in association with Flywheel takes place at Bicester Heritage on 23-24 June and combines world-class classic competition and road cars and bikes, some over 100 years old, plus a dazzling array of vintage aircraft, an impressive collection of military machines and incredible live demonstrations both on the ground and in the air. There’s also a Vintage Village featuring period fairground rides, live music performances, shopping and food stalls.  

 

Advance ticket prices start from £23 per adult, £10 per child (5-15) and £55 per family. Entry for children under the age of five years is free, as is parking. VIP package upgrades are also available, which include hospitality. For further information and to purchase tickets for The Classic & Sports Car Show in association with Flywheel, visit www.classicandsportscarshow.com. 

Lamborghini Urus ‘Super Sport Utility Vehicle’ at Salon Privé

Salon Privé’s 2018 new-car line-up will include the Lamborghini Urus Super SUV. First unveiled in December 2017 at the company’s headquarters in Sant’Agata Bolognese, the car made its public debut at Geneva motor show earlier this year.

With benchmarking power, performance and driving dynamics, the Urus has created a niche within the luxury SUV segment. Producing 650 hp and 850 Nm of torque (available at just 2,250 rpm) from its twin turbo 4.0 V8, the Urus accelerates to 62 mph in only 3.6 seconds. Sporting a top speed of 190 mph and the best weight-to-power ratio, the Lamborghini Urus is the fastest SUV available. It’s equally at home on the race track and off-road, as it is driving around town or on long-distance journeys.

Salon Privé is the UK’s most prestigious automotive event – a boutique Garden Party famed for attracting the world’s most exotic manufacturers who congregate on the stunning lawns of the UNESCO World Heritage site, Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire from 30^th August – 1^st September. Frequented by collectors and buyers of such machinery, it has become part of the premium car-owners’ summer events calendar.

The UK is an extremely important market for Lamborghini,” said Andrea Baldi, CEO of Lamborghini EMEA. “The launch of the Urus has further consolidated the strength of the brand worldwide and here in Britain, with a significant order bank and more than 70% of Urus clients being newcomers to the marque. Salon Privé is a perfect platform for Lamborghini to showcase both Urus as well as super sports models Huracán and Aventador.

The Huracán Performante Spyder and Aventador S Roadster on display alongside the Urus are the latest incarnations of the two super sports car model lines in Lamborghini’s stable. Launched earlier this year at Geneva motor show, the Huracán Performante Spyder features a 5.2-litre V10 engine producing 640 hp at a screaming 8,000 rpm. Acceleration to 62 mph is achieved in just 3.1 seconds and unusually for an open-top version, it matches the top speed of its coupe stablemate at 202 mph. Its V12 brother, the Aventador S Roadster produces 740 hp which is enough to propel it to 62 mph in 3.0 seconds and on to a top speed of 217 mph

THIS YEAR’S SALON PRIVE, THE 13th IN THE SERIES IS SET TO BE EVEN MORE SPECTACULAR THAN EVER

THIS YEAR’S SALON PRIVE, THE 13th IN THE SERIES IS SET TO BE EVEN MORE SPECTACULAR THAN EVER 

With factory support from the prestige automotive sector continuing to increase every year, Salon Privé continues its tradition as a boutique event attracting some of the rarest, fastest and most valuable brands from around the world, who converge on the stunning lawns of Blenheim Palace to entertain their customers and engage with potential new buyers. Yes, it’s a Garden Party and yes, tickets come complete with Lobster, Pommery Champagne and Afternoon Tea, but it’s also a motor show where Super and Hypercar owners and buyers go to find their latest acquisition.

It is fitting therefore that H.R. Owen Bugatti, the UK’s official Bugatti dealership have confirmed plans to join this year’s event for the first time as part of the Hypercar Collection with their spectacular Bugatti Chiron, presented herein fully exposed black carbon fibre with a tangerine interior.

The Chiron is the most powerful, fastest and most exclusive production super sports car in the company’s illustrious history. It is also a unique combination of art, form and technology that pushes boundaries beyond imagination. Its stunning beauty is more than equally matched by its capabilities on the road thanks to its W16 8.0-litre engine, producing 1,500 bhp and an incredible 1,600 Nm of torque allowing acceleration to 60mph in a blistering 2.4 seconds and a top speed, where permitted, of 261mph!

“We are thrilled to welcome H.R. Owen Bugatti to this year’s event. Bugatti is the epitome of heritage, style, technology and blistering performance and the stunning Chiron will make a sensational addition to the Hypercar Collection” said David Bagley, Co-Founder & Sales Director of Salon Privé. “Each year, we select a limited number of ultra-exclusive Hypercar brands to present their latest creations and we are delighted to welcome H.R. Owen Bugatti to the Blenheim Palace lawns for the first time.”

Paul Stevens, Bugatti Brand Director said: “H.R. Owen Bugatti as the only official UK Partner are very excited to be back at Salon Privé after many years. This is a fantastic event and the perfect setting to display our latest offering, the Chiron. We are immensely proud to be representing the Bugatti brand and H.R. Owen at Blenheim Palace in what will be a spectacular four days.”

SALON PRIVE - BLENHEIM PALACE IS SET ONCE AGAIN TO HOST YJE UK'S MOST EXCLUSIVE AUTOMOTIVE GARDEN PARTY FROM THURSDAY 3Oth AUGUST - SATURDAY 1st SEPTEMBER

"BRITAIN'S GREATEST PALACE"

BLENHEIM PALACE IS SET ONCE AGAINTO HOST YJE UK'S MOST EXCLUSIVE AUTOMOTIVE GARDEN PARTY FROMTHURSDAY 3Oth AUGUST - SATURDAY 1st SEPTEMBER

Now in its 13^th consecutive year, this pioneering event, distinguishable by its full-hospitality VIP experience for all, continues to blend the rarest classics with their modern-day counterparts, surrounded by an eclectic mix of luxury brands, all presented in the beautiful English Cotswolds.

Salon Privé welcomes bike enthusiasts from all over the world to share their passion for classic motorbikes. Last year’s Chubb Insurance Concours d’Elégance set a benchmark with a field of world-class motorbike entrants. One particular highlight being the 1903 Royal Sovereign. The limited in production motorbike was originally priced at 33 Guineas, with this model believed to be the world’s sole surviving example. Winning its Class, Exceptional Motorbikes 1900 – 1939, this stunning antique wowed crowds at the event before collecting the well-deserved prize.

Other class winners included the stunning Suzuki T500 Rickman Metisse in Exceptional Motorbikes 1940-1976 and the Ducati 750SS in Exceptional Competition Motorbikes.

A list of 2018 motorbike classes are as follows:

CLASS A: Exceptional Motorbikes 1900-1939

CLASS B: Exceptional Motorbikes 1940-1978

CLASS C: Exceptional Competition Motorbikes

Each of the classes will be assessed by a select panel of internationally-recognised judges. The team, chaired by Derek Bell MBE, will scrutinise each entry on strict criteria of; history, preservation, style and originality. The Salon Privé jury is drawn from different areas of the automotive sector, ranging from respected marque historians and industry figureheads to world-class designers and journalists.

Now entering its 4^th year at Blenheim Palace, the Organisers are further delighted to announce the signing of a 10-year agreement with Blenheim Palace.

Andrew Bagley, Managing Director and Concours Chairman of Salon Privé said

Britain’s Greatest Palace and the UK’s most exclusive automotive event – it is a perfect match! Blenheim Palace is without doubt the UK’s most spectacular Stately Home and my brother and I consider it a great privilege to be able to host Salon Privé here. With a 10-year agreement now signed, we look forward to taking the event to new heights.’

An immediate benefit of the new agreement, and with the permission of His Grace, the Duke of Marlborough, sees the event take a monumental leap up the lawns, on to the cricket pitch and right to the foot of the south Palace steps, incorporating the full splendour of Blenheim Palace and the stunning ornamental gardens within the event. It should be noted that no external event has ever occupied this space at Blenheim Palace before.

 Ble

heim Palace is set once again to host the UK’s most exclusive automotive garden party from Thursday 30^th August – Saturday 1^st September.