SWEDISH ROADTRIP TO BEAULIEU’S INTERNATIONAL AUTOJUMBLE DISPLAY

 Resurrected 1954 Wolseley 4/44

A resurrected 1954 Wolseley 4/44 that has been unused for 30 years is to be driven all the way from Sweden to take part in a special Golden Oldies display at Beaulieu’s International Autojumble on September 7^th & 8^th.

The Wolseley is one of more than 50 pre-1970 classic cars that have already been booked for the display, which will celebrate the golden age of motoring in the grounds of the National Motor Museum.

Sold new in Sweden but off the road for three decades, it has been renovated by Nostalgia Magazine and is ready to tackle the gruelling trek across Europe. With rust repairs completed and brakes and carburettor rebuilt, the charming British classic saloon car has been given a full service ready to motor back to the country where it was originally built.

The diverse Golden Oldies line-up is part of the weekend’s award-winning International Autojumble, with more than 2,000 stands packed with classic car spares, motoring books and automobilia.

Sure to turn heads in the display is a powerful 1922 Bentley 3/4.5 Litre with a remarkable racing and wartime past. It competed at prestigious motorsport venues including Shelsley Walsh, Brooklands and Le Mans during the 1920s and ’30s and was converted into an auxiliary fire engine during WWII. With its fire-fighting gear removed in peacetime, it is a fine example of the legendary pre-war sports car.

Also taking part are sports cars including a 1969 Marcos 3-litre, 1927 Delage DMS, 1959 Ashley Special and 1969 Mercedes 280SL, joined by luxury classics including a 1964 Rolls-Royce Phantom V, 1928 Cadillac LaSalle 7-seater luxury sedan and 1969 Daimler V8 250. More down-to-earth is a 1952 Land Rover Series I, which was originally used by the RAF on airfields for towing gliders, a 1928 Austin Seven Chummy, 1943 Morris Z van, 1966 Sunbeam Rapier Series V, rare 1966 Vauxhall Viva HA SL and a once-common 1963 Ford Consul Cortina Mk1.

Owners who would like to take part in the display with their pre-1970 vehicles and enjoy a complimentary weekend of event bargain-hunting should get in touch with the Beaulieu events team to be considered – entries must be pre-booked and places are limited. Show entry is free for accepted vehicles and successful owners will receive a pair of three-day entry wristbands. Visit www.beaulieu.co.uk/events/international-autojumble or call 01590 614614 for details on how to apply.

Another show highlight is the Bonhams auction on Saturday September 7^th, which will see a 1927 Rolls-Royce originally owned by King Edward VIII, 1952 Rover from All Creatures Great and Small and 1908 Napier from Downton Abbey go under the hammer. Admission to the Bonhams sale room is by catalogue only. To register in advance see www.bonhams.com/auctions/25455.

Other show features include Automart with an impressive selection of up to 200 vehicles – from immaculate examples to restoration projects. While Dealermart will feature a selection of top condition classics from traders.

A Sunday highlight is Trunk Traders, as enthusiasts sell assorted motoring jumble from their garages, sheds and lofts, providing a great opportunity to find bargains. Places are limited, with only a few final pitches remaining.

For more than 50 years, International Autojumble has been an unmissable date on the classic car calendar for enthusiasts to track down elusive spare parts to keep their cars on the road.

One-day and two-day visitor tickets are available, with a limited number of premium tickets giving early entry to the showground an hour before the event opens to the public, plus priority parking. Tickets are available in advance online. For tickets and details see www.beaulieu.co.uk/events/international-autojumble or call 01590 612888.

Event tickets include entry to the whole of the Beaulieu attraction, including the National Motor Museum with its Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 50 Years display, World of Top Gear with a new collection of cars from the latest series, On Screen Cars, Palace House, the Secret Army exhibition, Beaulieu Abbey and the grounds and gardens.

Exhibitors and Trunk Traders can book their stand online at www.beaulieu.co.uk/events/international-autojumble/exhibitors or contact the events team at events@beaulieu.co.uk or 01590 614614.

 Bentley in wartime fire engine role for Chichester Fire Brigade

GRAND TOURERS TO GATHER FROM FAR AND WIDE FOR BENTLEY’S MOST EXTENSIVE SALON PRIVÉ EVER

GRAND TOURERS TO GATHER FROM FAR AND WIDE FOR BENTLEY’S MOST EXTENSIVE SALON PRIVÉ EVER

Restored 1938 Bentley Corniche to make global debut

Bentley’s centenary celebrations are set to continue next week at the prestigious Salon Privé Concours d’Elégance at Blenheim Palace, with a series of debuts, events and announcements that make Bentley the stand-out marque at this year’s event.

The 1939 Bentley Corniche – once thought lost to time but recently completely restored from ruins by Bentley Mulliner – will make its global debut on the first day of Salon Privé on Thursday 5th September. The Corniche is a truly special Bentley – one of one, and the missing link in Bentley’s design DNA between the famous Bentley Embiricos of 1935 and the R-Type Continental of 1952 – cars which still inspire the modern-day Continental GT. The finished car will make its debut as the highlight of the Thursday morning press conference at Salon Privé, before joining the Concours field.

Making its UK public debut on Thursday will be the EXP 100 GT – Bentley’s vision of the future in concept car form, looking forward 15 years to the Bentley of 2035. Combining extraordinary technology, breath-taking sculptural design and a selection of sustainable materials, the EXP 100 GT is an embodiment of the future of luxury mobility. It will appear on a dedicated stage on the South Lawn from Thursday to Saturday.

Bentley Chairman and Chief Executive, Adrian Hallmark, will spend Saturday as part of a team of adjudicators judging more than 50 Bentleys from across history in the Salon Privé Bentley Masters. Bentley’s own EXP2 – the oldest Bentley in the world – will feature alongside an array of pre- and post-war Bentleys. That evening the Bentley Drivers Club will hold a Gala Dinner in Blenheim Palace itself, hosting Bentley’s Member of the Board for Sales & Marketing, Chris Craft.

Sunday is the climax of the event, with the Bentley Drivers Club holding their Annual Rally on-site by special permission of the Salon Privé organisers. More than 1,000 Bentleys will travel to Blenheim Palace from across the country, and in so doing will set a new World Record for the largest gathering of Bentleys in history. From the earliest 3 Litre models to the very latest third-generation Continental GT Convertible, the gathering will be a stunning visual representation of the development of Bentley over the last century. 

EXP 100 GT will then make its across the South Lawn of the event, where it will join the 1929 4½ litre Team Blower, the Corniche and nine other key Bentleys from across the last 100 years to form ‘The Magnificent Dozen’ – the final feature celebrating the brand’s centenary. 

Throughout the event, a Bentley retailer stand will also showcase the very latest Bentley models, including the all-new Flying Spur, Bentayga Hybrid and new Continental GT V8. Other iconic cars travelling from the Crewe factory to appear on the North and South lawns include the #8 2003 Speed 8 that completed the 1-2 at Le Mans that year with its #7 sister car, W.O. Bentley’s own 8-Litre and the Pikes Peak Bentayga.

LOST IN GLOUCESTERSHIRE: 10TH E-TYPE 4.2 EVER BUILT RESTORED TO FORMER GLORY

LOST IN GLOUCESTERSHIRE: 10TH E-TYPE 4.2 EVER BUILT RESTORED TO FORMER GLORY

The 10th E-type Series 1 4.2 to ever roll off the Jaguar production line has now undergone a full nut and bolt restoration at the hands of one of Britain’s leading E-type specialists. E-Type UK discovered what is believed to be the 10th Jaguar E-type Series 1 4.2 RHD FHC ever built, lost in the shrubbery of a Gloucestershire estate. The team has now delivered the fully-restored motoring icon to its proud new owner.

After this incredible matching numbers 1964 E-type Series 1 4.2 RHD FHC was unceremoniously dragged from the forest undergrowth, a total re-build commenced at the workshops of E-Type UK. With much of the car having sat open to the elements for the best part of three decades, the entirety of the vehicle’s body was unsalvageable. However, this very special Jaguar was discovered with completely original, matching numbers running gear and suspension units - maintaining its incredibly significant identity. E-Type UK felt duty-bound to uphold the great history of this iconic sports car and went about the complex task of putting it on the road once again.

The mission ahead was momentous; everything aside from the original logbook, running-gear and IRS had to be sourced or hand-crafted. So, while the team searched for a period-correct floor pan and front and rear bulkheads, the in-house body shop set about the panels, assembling them using a specialist body alignment jig. The roof and tailgate also needed to be sourced, and carefully attached to a new set of specially fabricated inner and outer C post panels.

With the body shell and iconic 60’s lines and gaps perfected, this incredibly significant E-type was handed on to the paint team for a stunning coat of Opalescent Silver Grey. To achieve the perfect finish the car was subjected to 60 hours of polishing - the only way to truly appreciate the quality of the new paint finish. The interior has also been updated, with completely new electronics, dashboard, black leather seats, dials and pedal box – all sourced or hand-crafted by the in-house team.

As would be expected, most of the engine components were unusable, but some parts were salvaged in the hope of keeping as much of the car’s wonderful character as possible. The original cam covers and cylinder head have been painstakingly machine-polished – certainly to a higher quality than the car left the Coventry factory some half a century ago. The powertrain has also been fitted with an uprated stainless-steel sports exhaust with tubular manifolds, creating a beautiful 4.2-litre symphony from beneath the iconic sweeping bonnet.

With the extent of work required to make this classic drive once more and the number of components needing replacement, it gave its new custodian the freedom to upgrade certain aspects of the car to suit modern-day driving. An upgraded fast road specification with high-lift cams, a balanced and lightened crank and a 5-speed gearbox make this 60’s icon a marvel for modern roads. Now running and driving, what may be the 10th Series 1 E-type 4.2 RHD FHC off the production line has not only been brought back to life, but is now looking and performing better than ever.

E-Type UK Founder, Marcus Holland commented: “We are incredibly proud and privileged to have been given the opportunity to complete a full restoration of the 10thJaguar E-type Series 1 4.2 RHD FHC to come off the production line. This historic sportscar certainly came with its own unique challenges, bringing out the best from our in-house team through the extent and quality of the work required. We have seen and completed a number of ‘Bush-Find’ restorations, but this must be one of the most significant E-Type UK has ever undertaken. Learning of its wonderful history, and being able to restore another Jaguar classic to its former glory has been a pleasure. It is now back on Britain’s roads, upholding the incredible legacy of the E-type and ready to be enjoyed for the first time in over thirty years.”

PIRELLI ALL SET FOR SALON PRIVÉ

PIRELLI ALL SET FOR SALON PRIVÉ

 Italian tyre manufacturer Pirelli will once again take centre stage at the most exclusive motor show in Britain: Salon Privé.

The half motor show, half-garden party, this prestige event takes place each year in the grounds of Blenheim Palace: the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill in Oxfordshire.

Salon Privé is now in its 14th year, with Pirelli supporting the event as a sponsor for the last five years. From September 5th- 8th, some of the rarest, exquisite and prestigious classic cars from around the world will form the centrepiece of the show. The annual event is a highlight of the year for some of the most luxurious and renowned automotive manufacturers out there, displaying their latest automotive offerings with both static exhibitions and moving demonstrations.

Pirelli will also have a prominent presence in the grounds of Blenheim Palace on the first weekend of September, offering quintessential Italian treats in its own lounge area.

The Salon Privé Concours d’Elégance by Chubb Insurance opens the prestigious event on Thursday 5th September when, by invitation only, the most sought-after classic cars and motorcycles are displayed and scrutinised in detail by a committee of internationally-recognised judges.

An impressive line-up of modern-day supercars, hypercars and classic cars then provide the perfect backdrop for Friday’s Salon Privé Ladies’ Day by Boodles, before the weekend gets underway.

Celebrating 100 years of Bentley

Saturday and Sunday take in a celebration of all things Bentley, as part of the prestigious marque’s centenary. Pirelli has been working with the Crewe-based carmaker for decades, delivering a unique combination of performance and comfort to a variety of car models. The very first Mulsanne was fitted with low profile Pirelli tyres, while the Bentley Continental GT was shod with the asymmetric Pirelli P Zero. The timeless Arnage also received its own specifically developed P Zero Rosso tyres when new.

In 2018, a Pirelli-equipped Bentley Bentayga broke the SUV record at the celebrated Pikes Peak hill climb in Colorado, slashing the previous record by almost two minutes and cementing the Bentayga’s reputation as the fastest SUV in the world. For 2019, Bentley and Pirelli returned to the renowned hill climb with a new challenge: to break the outright production car record. The P Zero-equipped Continental GT covered the 156 corners in 10m18.488s, to set yet another fresh benchmark.

Pirelli also shares Bentley’s motorsport activities with the Continental GT3 that recently took a commanding victory in the 2019 Blancpain GT Series 1000km of Paul Ricard – one of the most prestigious GT3 races in Europe.

Track Adrenaline warms up for the UK

Salon Privé will host the UK launch of Pirelli’s Track Adrenaline product, for those who like to put their supercars through their paces on the track. Track Adrenaline is a new track day tool for track day users, gentleman drivers and driving schools, which manages to time laps while also serving as a real-time tyre pressure and temperature monitoring system. Track Adrenaline consists of an electronic box that can easily be fitted to a car, which is linked to the Track Adrenaline smartphone app and P Zero Trofeo R tyres with sensors inside. The Track Adrenaline box is also equipped with a powerful GPS unit, which guarantees precise geolocation and definition of racing lines, as well as timing. It opens up new frontiers in track day technology.

The P Zero UK Experience

P Zero Experience is an exclusive track-based event that Pirelli reserves for its customers, but it is far from a traditional track day. Having started in Italy in 2009, the P Zero Experience will be launching in the UK for the first time, with details of the exclusive programme made available at Salon Privé.

P Zero Experience is an event designed to give supercar enthusiasts and collectors a true experience of the world of Pirelli. The events take place at exclusive racing venues around the world, in a style that only Pirelli knows how to deliver.

Five-star hospitality, an open pit lane with assistance from Pirelli’s world-class technicians and engineers, as well as spine-tingling circuit action: what more could the ultimate track day involve?

Dominic Sandivasci, Pirelli UK Chairman and CEO, commented: “The jaw-dropping selection of prestigious and rare cars on display in the grounds of Blenheim Palace never ceases to amaze me. Salon Privé is a highlight of the year for Pirelli in the UK, fitting in perfectly with our brand values of technology, performance and style. We’re very excited to enter our fifth year supporting Salon Privé, which is made even more special this time with our launch of a ground-breaking technology product and a very exciting Pirelli track-based programme here in the UK.” 

Salon Privé Chairman, Andrew Bagley added, “We are thrilled to be hosting the launch of such an exciting new technological product from Pirelli. Track Adrenaline is an exciting and innovative new track day tool that will really allow drivers to harness their skills and improve their driving ability by monitoring the data captured whilst out on the track. This is the 5th year that Pirelli have been a sponsor at Salon Privé and we look forward to welcoming them back to the spectacular lawns of Blenheim this year.”

SENSATIONAL QUARTET OF RARE CLASSIC FERRARI AMERICAS SET TO WOW AT SALON PRIVÉ

SENSATIONAL QUARTET OF RARE CLASSIC FERRARI AMERICAS SET TO WOW AT SALON PRIVÉ

1952 Ferrari 342 America Cabriolet

 When Enzo Ferrari began producing exciting and stylish sports cars under his own name and famous ‘prancing horse’ logo in the late 1940s, he immediately identified the United States as a key potential and profitable market, creating some models specifically for his new affluent American clients.

Four exceptional examples of these rare, beautiful, collectable and highly-prized American-inspired Ferraris will grace the grounds of Blenheim Palace with a dedicated ‘Ferrari Americas’ class in this year’s Salon Privé Concours d’Elégance by Chubb Insurance.

To help whet the appetite of all automotive enthusiasts and ‘Tifosi’ ahead of their display at Salon Privé, the quartet of American-influenced Ferraris will consist of a pair of early 1950s 342 Americas, plus a mid-1960s Ferrari 500 Superfast and 365 California Spider.

1967 Ferrari 365 California Spyder

At the time of production, the 342 America was Ferrari’s top-end grand touring model, and the forerunner to the 375 America series, the ultra-luxurious and powerful GTs for Ferrari’s wealthiest and most prestigious customers.

Only six 342 Americas were built, Salon Privé gathering two together; one being the first of only three cabriolets made - and the only one bodied by Carrozzeria Vignale – with the second example being the 1953 Geneva Motor Show car, which was built to be used as a rally car (being entered into the Rallye Soleil-Cannes) with a high-performance engine, an extra-large fuel tank, and even a rally timer!

1953 Ferrari 342 America

Fast forward to the mid-1960s and examples of Ferrari’s rare and luxurious 500 Superfast flagship coupé being presented at Salon Privé were bought by the elite ‘Jet Set’ and celebrities, contemporary owners of the Superfast included Peter Sellers, The Aga Khan, Gunter Sachs and the Shah of Persia. The 500 Superfast at Salon Privé will be the very last of just 36 examples built, and one of only two ‘Series 2’ RHD cars made.

Finishing off the extraordinary quartet of ‘Ferrari Americas’ appearing at Salon Privé will be 1967 365 California Spider delivered new to Luigi Chinetti Motors in the USA; this car being one of an elite group of only 14 examples produced between 1966 and 1967. As a total package, the 365 California was designed to appeal to Ferrari’s premium customers who demanded a more exclusive and striking style of grand touring coachwork.

These four Ferraris will join other classic examples of Maranello’s finest models, as well as the rarest models from 18 other marques, all participating in the 2019 Salon Privé Concours d’Elégance by Chubb Insurance at Blenheim Palace on Thursday 5thSeptember.

Salon Privé Concours Chairman, Andrew Bagley commented, “Built during the 50s and 60s for the US market, the Ferrari Americas are a collection of the most desirable V12 models, and we’re thrilled to be presenting 4 of them at this year’s Salon Privé Concours d’Elégance by Chubb Insurance. All built as top-end Grand Tourers with the largest V12 engines, they represent some of the rarest models ever to come out of Maranello.”

For more information about tickets, please visit the website: https://www.salonpriveconcours.com/classic-and-supercar/

1966 Ferrari 500 Superfast

ALPINE PRESENTS UK DEBUT OF NEW ALPINE A110S AT SALON PRIVÉ

ALPINE PRESENTS UK DEBUT OF NEW ALPINE A110S AT SALON PRIVÉ

New Alpine A110S

Alpine will unveil the most intense version of its lightweight 2-seater – the A110S at this year’s Salon Privé. Positioned at the top of the range and more driver-focused than the Pure and Legende models, its bespoke sport chassis features springs that are 50% stiffer along with anti-roll bars that are twice as firm. Road height is reduced by 4mm optimizing the car’s centre of gravity and with grip further improved by wider section tyres front and rear, the new car offers a truly dynamic driving experience. It’s important to note that all of these performance upgrades have had no detrimental effect on the car’s general driveability – it’s as much a high-performance sports car as it is a daily driver meaning the best of both worlds!

Power output from the familiar rear mid-engined 4cyl 16v turbocharged 1.8 Litre unit is increased by 40hp to produce nearly 300hp which in a car weighing just 1114 kg and mated to a 7-speed DCT gearbox with wet clutch, provides scintillating performance. 0-62 mph arrives in just 4.4 seconds and the A110S will go on to more than 160 mph where permitted.

Distinguished externally by its signature paint colour of Gris Tonnerre in matt finish, orange and carbon fibre flag on the C-pillar and unique GT Race alloy wheels fitted with orange Brembo brake callipers, the A110S sits purposely and poised. Inside, orange stitching replaces the signature blue and sophisticated black Dinamica upholstery is used for the roof lining, door panels and Sabelt bucket seats. Neat touches such as the orange 12 o’clock marker on the leather steering wheel, lightweight aluminium pedals and footrest and use of carbon fibre create a luxurious yet sporty environment. Optional upgrades include a gloss carbon fibre roof panel which reduces weight by 1.6 kg, Fuchs forged alloy wheels, special seat belts with carbon fibre finish and also carbon-fibre backed versions of the Sabelt bucket seats.

David Bagley, Co-Founder & Sales Director of Salon Privé said, “Like the original Berlinette of the 60s, the new Alpine A110S is a compact 2-seater sportscar – a true exponent of lightweight but with all the creature comforts you need to make it a pleasurable as well as exhilarating drive. It’s an exceptionally capable as well as focused sports car that offers exhilarating driving experience, made all the more entertaining by the upgrades in this latest model. We’re looking forward to welcoming Alpine back to Salon Privé!”

BEAULIEU’S SIMPLY SMART IS SMART CHOICE FOR FANS

BEAULIEU’S SIMPLY SMART IS SMART CHOICE FOR FANS

Simply Smart will return as the final rally in Beaulieu’s successful 2019 season of Simply events with a vibrant gathering of fun-sized Smart cars on Remembrance Sunday, November 10th

A favourite event with fans of this cheeky and cheerful urban classic, Simply Smart is open to every model from more than two decades of production. From the classic ForTwo that kick-started the brand to open-top Cabrio and Crossblade variants, as well as the sporty Smart Roadster and family-friendly ForFour, all are welcome to join the rally in the grounds of the National Motor Museum.

Beaulieu Events Co-ordinator Dan Vaughan said: “Simply Smart is always one of the most colourful rallies in the Beaulieu events calendar, with custom paint finishes and eye-catching graphics to admire. It is a great social occasion for owners and enthusiasts and we expect November’s event to be another success.”

Simply Smart is traditionally held on Remembrance Sunday and a two-minute silence will be held at 11am, which visitors are invited to take part in.

Throughout the day, visitors and rally participants will be voting for their favourite Smart of the show in the People’s Choice Awards. The owner of the Smart with the greatest number of votes will be presented with a commemorative Beaulieu trophy and special Autoglym prize.

Event tickets include entry to all of the Beaulieu attraction, including the National Motor Museum, World of Top Gear, On Screen Cars, the Secret Army exhibition, 13thcentury Beaulieu Abbey, the Montagu ancestral home of Palace House and its grounds and gardens.

For those driving Smart cars into Beaulieu to take part in the show, participant tickets are £10 an adult, £5 a child (aged 5-16) if bought in advance online before 5pm on November 7th, or £12 an adult and £6 a child if bought on arrival. All other visitors can buy a standard Beaulieu attraction ticket. For tickets and information see www.beaulieu.co.uk/events/simply-smart/.

Entry is from 9am until 3pm for rally participants when the Brabazon Restaurant will be serving hot drinks and breakfast snacks. All other visitors should enter Beaulieu though Visitor Reception from 10am.

If you are taking part in the show and want to park up with your friends, please ensure that you arrive together. Club stands are also available up to a fortnight before the event. To book or for information contact the Events team on 01590 614614 or at events@beaulieu.co.uk.

‘WORLD’S FIRST MINIVAN’ JOINS CONCOURS OF ELEGANCE 2019

‘WORLD’S FIRST MINIVAN’ JOINS CONCOURS OF ELEGANCE 2019

1936 Stout Scarab car: photo credit Michael Furman

The world’s first production minivan – the stunning art deco-inspired 1936 Stout Scarab will be on display at this year’s Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace. With only nine in existence, the Scarab was the brainchild of journalist and automotive & aviation engineer William Bushnell Stout. Inspired by ‘futurist’ author, architect and designer Buckminster Fuller and his tear-drop creation: the Dymaxion, Stout envisaged the Scarab to be a 100-a-year production phenomenon in an age of uninspiring automotive design.

Unfortunately for Stout, the time-consuming coach-work and $5,000 price tag (almost $100,000 today) meant that the idea never gained the traction needed to become a success, and the Scarab dream died after just nine were completed. Fortunately for the Concours of Elegance, the Scarab is now an incredibly rare, art deco-inspired, a coach-built masterpiece that perfectly encompasses the spirit of the show. The most spectacular stories, the most astonishing design and the finest craftsmanship on offer in the automotive world.

This particular Stout Scarab is also at the centre of a war-time legend; it was said to be the scene of a meeting between General Eisenhower and Charles de Gaulle during the Second World War. Throughout the 1950s it was then used by a circus owner, keeping monkeys in the car while they toured the continent. It was then sold on to a French industrial designer who had the vehicle placed in a museum in Reims. The current owners had the vehicle restored in 2001 and have kept it in top condition ever since.

This museum-worthy creation is a fantastic addition to the Concours of Elegance, joining some of the world’s rarest and unique automobiles in the stunning gardens of Hampton Court. Featuring alongside a display of one of every Aston Martin Zagato variant, a collection of the most important vehicles in Bentley’s 100-year history, and the most significant Ferrari in existence, the Stout Scarab brings an extra dash of style, rarity and intrigue to the UK’s most coveted concours event.

Andrew Evans, Concours of Elegance Director, said:“Our event is an oasis of the rarest Ferraris, Bugattis, Rolls-Royces, Maseratis and more. But in amongst the sea of motoring legends, visitors often find a truly special outlier – as worthy of its place in the line-up as any other, but without the big-name recognition. This year, the Scarab will undoubtedly be that car; not only is it beautiful, but it’s rare and relatively unknown. You can bet once you’ve seen it at Hampton Court Palace, most visitors will never see another Scarab.”

Adult tickets for this year’s Concours of Elegance start from £40, with children under five and carers entering free of charge. Visitors are also able to purchase bespoke hospitality packages, including VIP parking, three-course lunch, drinks reception and cream tea. To buy tickets head to http://www.concoursofelegance.co.uk/tickets

AUTOMOBILI PININFARINA DEBUT ENHANCED BATTISTA AT SALON PRIVÉ

AUTOMOBILI PININFARINA DEBUT ENHANCED BATTISTA AT SALON PRIVÉ

Pininfarina Battista

Advanced EV and hybrid technology are certainly at the forefront of this year’s Salon Privé with a selection of international hypercar brands all debuting new cars to the UK market.

One such brand and currently returning from a fabulous series of unveilings during Monterey Car Week is Automobili Pininfarina, who are now preparing to launch their stunning and enhanced Battista at this year’s Salon Privé which takes place at Blenheim Palace from 5th – 8th September.

Having been launched to an eagerly-awaiting world at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year and delivering on the Pininfarina family dream to see a range of luxury cars purely badged Pininfarina, Automobili Pininfarina then embarked on the next phase of simulation testing in the wind tunnel and on the track under the guidance of ex-Formula 1 and Formula E racer, Nick Heidfeld, their Development Driver. From a design perspective, the result of the development programme was a car with a redefined front which reinforced its hypercar look and feels and created a greater visual connection between front and back.

With 1,900 hp and 1,696 lb-ft torque available from its four electric motors, Automobili Pininfarina is aiming for a 0-62 mph sprint of fewer than 2 seconds for the Battista along with a single-charge range of 500 kilometres. Essentially, it’s a hypercar on one hand and an eminently driveable and beautiful luxury car on the other. With a maximum of just 150 examples being made, it will be ultra-exclusive. Just 50 Battistas are planned for Europe, 50 targeted at North America and 50 to the Middle East and Asia and the €2m hypercar will only be available to order through a small network of specialist luxury car and hypercar retailers.

Commenting on the forthcoming debut appearance of the new Battista, Salon Privé Co-Founder & Sales Director, David Bagley, said“I wholly concur with Pininfarina S.p.A Chairman, Paolo Pininfarina when he referred to the Battista as a work of art. It is just that - stunningly beautiful and elegant from every angle and yet its poise is true hypercar – low, wide and purposeful. With power and luxury to match, it is as they say a new reality for electric car desirability, and we are thrilled to be welcoming Automobili Pininfarina and Battista to this year’s Salon Privé.”

Michael Perschke, CEO Automobili Pininfarina said "Salon Privé is the perfect event at which to present the Battista in its most recent design form. The event is renowned for attracting true enthusiasts and car collectors who appreciate both automotive engineering and automotive beauty, and the Battista stands alone in presenting the perfect combination of both. With 89 years of Pininfarina heritage informing its design and a clear vision for the performance and drama that pure electrification can offer, Automobili Pininfarina looks forward to revealing the latest Battista for the first time in the UK”.

REGENT STREET MOTOR SHOW HEADLINED BY ILLINOIS ROUTE 66 HELPS CELEBRATE MILESTONE 200 YEARS     • The UK’s biggest free-to-view car show helps Regent Street mark its 200th anniversary in style • Full-spectrum of motoring past, present and future to honour one of the world’s most-illustrious thoroughfares • Illinois Route 66 renews partnership with the UK’s most popular car-themed showcase • Traditional date on the eve of Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run: Saturday 2 November Already established as the country’s biggest free-to-view car-themed spectacle enjoyed by more than 500,000 visitors, this year’s glittering Illinois Route 66 Regent Street Motor Show (Saturday 2 November) will also serve as one of the stand-out events marking Regent Street’s distinguished 200thanniversary. Adding to the excitement, the Show is teaming up with Illinois Route 66 for the third year in succession.  It was back in 1819 that Regent Street took its name from Prince Regent who had instructed celebrated architect John Nash to build London’s first purpose-built shopping street, and what is today a world-famous global destination set right in the heart of the capital city.  To mark this momentous milestone, several stylish celebrations are planned along the length of Nash’s iconic curve throughout the forthcoming months including, of course, the Regent Street Motor Show. As tradition dictates, the crowd-pleasing attraction will be staged on the eve of the Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run and will feature a magical mix of motoring past, present and future.  Though Regent Street precedes the introduction of Karl Benz’s game-changing 1885 Motorwagen, its hallowed facades have witnessed the full evolution of motoring from those early days of self-propelled horseless carriages right up to the latest city-friendly electric cars – an amazing journey through time, echoes of which will be reflected in the landmark 2019 Show. As ever the formative early days will be wonderfully represented by more than a hundred extraordinary pre-1905 pioneers taking part in the annual Veteran Car Concours d’Elegance before heading off on their route to Brighton at first light the following morning. The unique Concours is always a huge attraction – even more so as many of the intrepid time-travellers, who come from all over the world to be part of the occasion, are dressed in eye-catching period costumes. At the other end of the spectrum, the Motor Show always provides a glimpse into the next 200 years of powered personal transportation with thought-provoking displays of futuristic vehicles, many propelled by the latest innovative generation of low carbon drivetrains.  Equally arresting collections of evocative classic and desirable contemporary cars bridge the decades between the dawn and impending eras of motoring and take on even more significance this year with Regent Street honouring its full history both as a major thoroughfare and as an internationally renowned shopping destination. Ben Cussons, Chairman of the Royal Automobile Club, said “Putting the spotlight on the timeline of the automobile, the Regent Street Motor Show is now one of this country’s top motoring spectacles. This captivating journey through the automobile’s history never fails to capture the imagination of the public; part of its charm is its universal appeal which draws in both the lifelong car enthusiast and the interested passer-by. We are delighted to welcome back Illinois Route 66 as headline partner, and with Regent Street itself celebrating its 200th anniversary in 2019, this year’s show will take on added significance.” Now entering its third year, the event’s title partnership with Illinois Route 66 – another of the world’s most historic and famous highways – continues to go from strength-to-strength. The city of Chicago, Illinois' most popular gateway, is home to the start of what is often called the ‘Main Street of America’ or the ‘Mother Road’. Jan Kemmerling, Acting Director of the Illinois Office of Tourism, said, “We are thrilled to partner with the Regent Street Motor Show for the third consecutive year. We know a significant number of UK visitors enjoy travelling to Chicago each year to experience Route 66 in Illinois, where the journey officially begins. This premier motoring event is the perfect opportunity to inspire more travellers to visit Illinois and travel back in time along the 'Mother Road' - featuring world-famous historical landmarks and must-see sites, from Chicago to Springfield to Alton and many stops in-between. We look forward to promoting Illinois Route 66 road trips to car enthusiasts attending this year's Regent Street Motor Show." The first 100 miles of the epic 2,448-mile journey to the West coast is situated between Lake Michigan and the Illinois River, a region filled with miles of trails and waterways that stretch from suburban Chicago all the way to Starved Rock State Park. The next stretch of Route 66 is also peppered with iconic landmarks taking travellers through the Springfield region, renowned for its extensive and authentic collection of historic Abraham Lincoln sites, and then into Illinois’ Great Rivers & Routes region, home to another of America’s legendary automotive arteries, the Great River Road along the Mississippi River, stretching north-south from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. Whether it is a road trip on Route 66 or a visit to Regent Street in its 200thyear, there is lots to savour in 2019. Further details of the not-to-be-missed Show will be revealed in the coming months.