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

ROLLS-ROYCE MOTOR CARS TO PRESENT EUROPEAN DEBUT OF GHOST ZENITH AT SALON PRIVÉ

ROLLS-ROYCE MOTOR CARS TO PRESENT EUROPEAN DEBUT OF GHOST ZENITH AT SALON PRIVÉ

The Rolls-Royce Ghost Zenith

The Directors of Salon Privé are delighted to confirm the European debut of the stunning, limited edition Rolls-Royce Ghost Zenith which made its North American debut recently at Pebble Beach.

The Rolls-Royce Ghost Zenith will be a true collector’s item with just 50 of these extraordinary motor cars being made available by the marque. It comes to being as Rolls-Royce Motor Cars acknowledges the success and global adoration that has been lavished on one of the world’s most luxurious motor cars during its ten-year life cycle and with Ghost now truly at its apex, now is the time to celebrate the ultimate in craftsmanship and automotive perfection. 

It was the Silver Ghost of 1908 that established Rolls-Royce Motor Cars as manufacturers of ‘The Best Car in the World’ and just over 100 years later, an experimental, contemporary expression of the iconic nameplate, 200EX was shown at the Geneva Motor Show. Since its introduction in 2009, Ghost has gone on to become the most successful Rolls-Royce motor car ever built, attracting a new and much younger group of owners to the marque, resulting in the average age of owners now being just 43.

The original 200EX concept was intended to be both driver and passenger-focused, and no other car combines performance and dynamic driver experience with luxury in the way that Ghost does. The Ghost Zenith Collection retains the car’s dynamism but takes luxury to a new level, drawing many references from 200EX, the most significant being the inclusion of a commemorative ingot, made from the original concept’s Spirit of Ecstasy, melted down and set into the centre console. Engraved with the three key design lines of Ghost, the plaque details its significant origins and even the Collection’s own Spirit of Ecstasy and clock are engraved with the name of this highly anticipated motor car. In the centre console, a blueprint inspired artwork enlarged to a point of abstraction has been divided into 50 distinct pieces, allowing each Ghost Zenith customer their own individual work of art.

The interior of the car is a testimony to the incredible skill of the master craftsmen and women in the marque’s legendary Woodshop as well as the members of the Bespoke Collective from the Home of Rolls-Royce’s Leather shop. Three different finishes are offered; wood, Technical Fibre or Piano finished veneer, all of which perfectly compliment the exquisitely embroidered leather interior. Unique to the Ghost Zenith Standard Wheelbase, the famed Starlight Headliner is presented in a Shooting Star configuration, depicting shooting stars randomly firing across the cabin roof.

Externally, the Ghost Zenith Collection is presented in a stunning two-tone application with a high gloss contrast paint finish and Silver Satin bonnet, first seen on 200EX. Three different colour-ways are available; Iguazu Blue with Andalusian White, Premiere Silver with Arctic White or a daring Bohemian Red with Black Diamond, with multiple variants available highlighting the flexibility of the model.

Commenting on the Ghost Zenith Collection, Salon Privé Co-Founder & Sales Director, David Bagley commented,“It is a real honour for us to host the European debut of the Rolls-Royce Ghost Zenith at this year’s event straight after its reveal at Pebble Beach. Henry Royce had an instinctive desire for perfection and his fabled ethic of taking the best that exists and making it better is demonstrated here today as Rolls-Royce have taken the most successful car they have ever produced – and made it better. The workmanship and expertise that has gone into creating this limited-edition luxury collector’s item is simply extraordinary and we are thrilled to be presenting this sensational new luxury car on the lawns of Blenheim Palace during Salon Privé.”

TRIO OF STUNNING ROYAL CARS TO GRACE BLENHEIM LAWNS AT SALON PRIVÉ

TRIO OF STUNNING ROYAL CARS TO GRACE BLENHEIM LAWNS AT SALON PRIVÉ

A distinguished pair of coachbuilt Rolls-Royce and a stunning Ferrari, all with documented Royal provenance, will grace the manicured lawns of Blenheim Palace for this year’s spectacular Salon Privé Concours d’Elégance by Chubb Insurance which takes place on Thursday 5th & Friday 6th September.

The first and earliest of the two Rolls-Royces is an imposing open touring-bodied 1912 Silver Ghost, coachbuilt by Barker & Co. of London and fitted with an elaborate Taj Mahal nameplate for its Indian Raj client; the Maharaja of Nabha. This distinctive Silver Ghost has a unique place in Rolls-Royce history, it being the only surviving pre-1914 Indian trials car, with its authentic engine and chassis still carrying its original body. Remarkably, the car has only had two owners since new, with the current custodians having owned her since her return to England in the early 1990s. 

The second Rolls-Royce model is a Silver Wraith. In the early 1950s, the Silver Wraith was built and prepared by Rolls-Royce as a drivable chassis, and then dispatched to some of the world’s best coachbuilders where bespoke bodies were designed and fitted. Designed to be one of the most luxurious motor cars in the world, the Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith carried some of the most prestigious passengers of its time, including royals and imperials, plus other wealthy clients such as leading industrialists and Hollywood celebrities. This particular Silver Wraith, chassis WVH74 was built in 1953 as a 4-door Drophead Coupe by London-based Coachbuilder, Hooper & Co. and went on to have the enviable pleasure of carrying not only official Royalty but also Hollywood Royalty as it was the car used by Prince Rainier of Monaco for his wedding to Grace Kelly on 18thApril 1956.

The 1954 Ferrari 250 GT Europa is a very special custom-built example, bodied in aluminium alloy for Princess Liliana de Rèthy, the second wife of His Royal Highness King Leopold II of Belgium. It was the second of five Ferraris that would pass through the Royal household. The Royal couple were apparently very ‘hands-on’ during the design and construction of the car, making several documented visits to Turin to approve drawings, colours, materials and interior treatment. Finished in dark green with tan leather interior and a rare off-white vinyl-covered roof, chassis 0359 GT was delivered to Princess Liliana on January 5th, 1955.

Remarking on the Royal cars entered into next month’s event, Salon Privé’s Concours Chairman, Andrew Bagley said: “It is very exciting to have some truly Royal motorcars taking part in this year’s concours. Each car is exquisite with amazing provenance and I’m sure they harness many untold stories. The breath-taking Blenheim Palace location makes for the perfect and highly appropriate backdrop for these historic and authentic Royal cars.”

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

PURITALIA BERLINETTA OFFICIAL UK LAUNCH AT SALON PRIVÉ

PURITALIA BERLINETTA OFFICIAL UK LAUNCH AT SALON PRIVÉ Puritalia Automobili will showcase its latest creation, the 965 hp super-hybrid Berlinetta on the lawns of Blenheim Palace at this year’s Salon Privé. Following the great success of the launch during the 89th Geneva International Motor Show in March 2019, Puritalia Automobili are now taking the Berlinetta to countries where they have registered most interest and appreciation and where they will establish a strategic presence to support the development of the company brand. During Salon Privé, the company will announce two new official dealerships for United Kingdom and Australia which Puritalia Automobili has appointed for the exclusive distribution of a dedicated right-hand version of our Fuoriserie, the Berlinetta, in their related regions. Together with their new UK Dealer in London, Puritalia Automobili have arranged a very exclusive and private event for selected customers after Salon Privé to give them the opportunity to see and test drive the Berlinetta on the beautiful English country roads. CEO & Founder, Paolo Parente commented: “We are thrilled to present our Berlinetta for the first time in the UK at this year’s Salon Privé. The ambience and atmosphere are what makes Salon Privé such a unique boutique event and I believe it is just perfect to present our Fuoriserie to the most demanding car enthusiasts and collectors in the UK. The Berlinetta is not for everyone, but only for true connoisseurs that appreciate artisanal cars in every detail. The huge interest we have received from the UK proves how much the British motor culture still appreciates traditional skills and craftsmanship where Italians cars, just like the British ones, are second to none.” Puritalia Berlinetta at a glance: The Italian “SuperHybrid”: the most powerful Italian hybrid supercar The proprietary hybrid powertrain that offers the best of both worlds: front-mounted V8 combustion engine + rear parallel mounted advanced axial flux electric motor Combined power: 965 hp / 1,248 Nm torque Hybrid carbon-fibre /aluminium chassis: carbon-fibre central tub with aluminium sub-frames and suspension plates fully CNC machined from a single aeronautical aluminium billet Pre-preg carbon-fibre body panels and interiors with a carbon-fibre exposed finish Proprietary patented technology Puritalia Purhydrive© for smart management of the electric power through auto-learning of driving style and cloud-based AI (Artificial Intelligence) technology. Puritalia eMozione© to increase the torque provided by the electric motor to an additional 370 Nm on-demand. Puritalia Digital-DNA© - fully connected vehicle control system to manage the entire car through the interior touch-screen, vocal controls, and remotely by smartphone. Puritalia Orchestra© - quad titanium exhaust system with smart electronic modulation and active side pipes Exclusive buying experience reserved for a select elite of car enthusiasts and collectors (Puritalia Ambassadors) Puritalia Sartoria© program providing a personal design team to assist each customer during the specification and building process of their car with the highest degree of customization and direct contact with the Design Team. Puritalia Automobili S.r.l. Viale Antonio Gramsci 17/B, 80122, Napoli (ITALY) Email: info@puritalia.com Website: www.puritalia.com Press Office: press@puritalia.info David Bagley, Co-Founder & Sales Director Salon Privé, commented, “The concept of classic styling with modern technology is not new in itself, but the Puritalia Berlinetta really is something different. Hand-crafted and beautifully designed, it engages the owner at every stage of its build to create not only a truly unique experience but also a stunning, high-performance GT car at the end of it and with only 150 scheduled to be built, it will be a very rare sight indeed.

SALON PRIVÉ TO SHOWCASE SIGNIFICANT COMPETITION CARS

SALON PRIVÉ TO SHOWCASE SIGNIFICANT COMPETITION CARS

 1957 Ferrari 500 TRC

. Among the 50 exceptional and rare motor cars, battling for the prestigious ‘Best of Show’ prize at the annual Salon Privé Concours d’Elégance by Chubb Insurance will be a pair of significant competition cars; a celebrated 1937 Delahaye 145, plus a 1957 Ferrari 500 TRC.

The Delahaye to feature at Salon Privé is the remarkable ‘Million-Franc’ 145, the first of four 4.5-litre V12 race cars built for the Écurie Bleue Racing Team owned by Americans, Laury and Lucy Schell. After months of tuning, one of the Schell Delahaye Type 145’s competed in the French government’s automotive engineering challenge; the Million Franc Prize. On August 27th 1937, legendary driver René Dreyfus drove one of Schell’s Type 145 for 200 kilometres in a record one hour, twenty-one minutes, 49 1/2 seconds, travelling at an average speed of 91.3 miles per hour (146.7 km/h) on the banked Montlhery motor circuit, south of Paris. The Prix du Million had been won, this being a one million franc prize offered in 1937 by the French Government to encourage French motor car manufacturers to beat the Germans, which were then dominating motor racing.

The Delahaye then competed in the Grand Prix de Pau in 1938 with a first-place finish, beating the Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrows. This victory was repeated at the Grand Prix de Cork, followed by the Mille Miglia with a fourth-place finish. World War II then engulfed Europe and racing stopped. Post-war, this significant Delahaye traded hands, lost part of its original body and its identity was for a time difficult to establish, but careful research revealed its true history as the ex-Rene Dreyfus Montlhery record-breaker.

Another important competition racer at Salon Privé 2019 is the stunning Ferrari 500 TRC, acknowledged as one of the most beautiful racing cars ever built by Ferrari and successor to the two-litre racing 500 TR of 1956, in its turn successor to the Mondial. Only 19 Lampredi-engined 500 TRC models were built, all

for privateers, and the car presented at Salon Privé is the very last one. Chassis 0708MDTR was originally finished in red from the factory and sent to John Von Neumann in September 1957. Von Neumann was the first Ferrari dealer in California, who painted all his cars silver (Argento with a red stripe), the racing colour of Germany, with the red stripe being a homage to Ferrari. 0708MTDR did not actually find its first owner until August 1958, when it was sold for $11,232 plus tax to Jack Nethercutt of Sylmar, California.

While it missed most of the 1958 season, Nethercult made up for lost time by running 0708MDTR up and down the West Coast in at least thirteen races in 1959, with success. This Ferrari racer is today, without question, one of the best 500 TRCs in the world.

Commenting on this pair of outstanding competition cars, Salon Privé’s Concours Chairman, Andrew Bagley said: “We are delighted and very excited to include these notable competition cars of their day, and the inclusion of these important Delahaye and Ferrari models highlight the global reputation and status of our spectacular and exclusive Salon Privé Concours celebrations at Blenheim Palace.”

1937 Delahaye 145

BLENHEIM PALACE HOSTS SUMMER JAGUAR FESTIVAL THIS SUNDAY INCLUDING THE WORLD’S LARGEST DISPLAY OF JAGUARS FROM FILM & TV

BLENHEIM PALACE HOSTS SUMMER JAGUAR FESTIVAL THIS SUNDAY INCLUDING THE WORLD’S LARGEST DISPLAY OF JAGUARS FROM FILM & TV

Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire will be graced by the spectacle of hundreds of classic and modern Jaguars on Sunday 12th May, for the 2019 Summer Jaguar Festival, hosted by the Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club. The event promises to offer something for everyone for fans of the iconic British car brand to families looking for a great day out.

Set in the stunning surroundings of the Blenheim Palace courtyard, visitors will be presented with the largest gathering of Jaguars from Film and TV, ever seen. The display will include a full range of vehicles from James Bond films, cult classics such as the E-Type from the Italian Job and cars from TV dramas including the Mark 1 saloon from the hit series Endeavour. Fans of the 1970s show Minder will be excited by Arthur Daley’s very own Jaguar XJ6 as used in the TV classic, a car that has rarely been seen since filming ceased.

The Jaguar Mark 2, synonymous with the exploits of TV detective Inspector Morse, celebrates 60 years since it went on sale this year. This momentous occasion will be marked by a procession of over one hundred classic Jaguars from all eras around the usually closed roads of the Blenheim Palace parkland.

The courtyard will also feature appearances from the inspirational team behind the Jaguar F Type currently racing in the British GT championship. Visitors will not fail to be captivated by the fascinating story behind the Invictus Games Racing team, who consist of two ex-military servicemen who have overcome horrific injuries sustained on operations in the middle-east, to turn their lives around and compete at the top levels of motorsport alongside pro-driver Matthew George. The story is even more inspiring when you learn that the team won their class in the first race of the season at Oulton Park last month, despite the fact that neither Paul Vice nor Steve McCulley even had racing licenses two years ago! There will be a chance to meet the drivers and see the cars in the Blenheim Palace courtyard throughout the day.

Elsewhere visitors will be treated to displays of performance Jaguars and racing cars, celebrating the achievements of the Tom Walkinshaw racing team. The team, once based in Kidlington, Oxfordshire were famous (amongst other motor racing achievements) for taking Jaguar to their Le Mans victories of 1988 and 1990 as well as creating some of the finest supercars wearing the Jaguar badge. TWR racing were also one of the major employers in their area of Oxfordshire in the 1980s and 1990s. The TWR display will include an XJ220 Le Mans car kindly displayed by Don Law. Don Law explains the car’s significance,

“The car on display is one of the four XJ220 chassis transferred from Jaguar Sport Bloxham to TWR Racing in early 1993 for the preparation and assault on the GT Class for Le Mans that year.   Of the four chassis prepared, three cars entered the Le Mans 24-hour race in 1993, and this one is chassis number 004, in full 1993 Le Mans race livery.”

The event also offers a trade show, where businesses from the classic Jaguar industry will showcase their products and services alongside cars for sale, arts, crafts and food stalls.

Interviews and commentary with visiting celebrities from the Jaguar world, car owners, racing drivers and other personalities will be broadcast on a big screen sponsored by CMC Classic Motor Cars, Bridgnorth for all to enjoy throughout the day.

Furthermore, those wanting to attend but worrying that it may cause them to miss the Spanish Grand Prix will be pleased to know that the full round of the F1 race will also be shown live on the big screen from 14.00hrs, thanks to event sponsors Pirelli.

Summer Jaguar Festival Timetable. Blenheim Palace. Sunday 12th May.

10:00 Show Opens

10.10 Live interview features with club partners & sponsors on our Big Screen, hear from the likes of Classic Motor Cars (CMC), Meguiars, SNG Barratt, Duckhams Oil, Swallows and Hamilton Classic.

10.40 Live commentary tour of the Concours entrants and Film and TV Jaguars. Find out about the people and cars behind these stunning exhibits.

11.20 A tour of the gathered TWR celebration cars and a chat to some past TWR team members.

11.46 Spitfire fly-past (TBC)

11.50 Meet the Invictus Games Racing team drivers in the courtyard. We’ll be talking to Matt George live and hearing about how the season is going so far, for the Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club Sponsored F-Type entry into the British GT Championship.

12.35 Build up to the CMC Commemorative Parade. We meet the drivers, owners and cars involved in this special moment where Jaguars take to the palace parkland.

13.00 The Classic Motor Cars Ltd Commemorative Parade departs.

14.00 David Marks Seminar on the history of the Jaguar compact saloon cars in the Palace Courtyard.

14.05 Live screening of the Spanish Grand Prix courtesy of Pirelli.

15:00 Awards presentation by Mike Horlor, JEC Chairman for Concours D’ Elegance and Pride and Joy in the Blenheim Palace courtyard.

16:00 Show close

SALON PRIVÉ & BENTLEY DRIVERS CLUB TO CELEBRATE 100 YEARS OF BENTLEY MOTORS IN SPECTACULAR STYLE AT BLENHEIM PALACE

SALON PRIVÉ & BENTLEY DRIVERS CLUB TO CELEBRATE 100 YEARS OF BENTLEY MOTORS IN SPECTACULAR STYLE AT BLENHEIM PALACE

Bentley Display at Blenheim Palace - courtesy BDC

Salon Privé (5th to 8th September) will this year dedicate two days (Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th September) to celebrating the centenary of one of Britain’s most revered and prestigious motor car marques; Bentley Motors, founded in 1919 by the gifted engineer W.O. Bentley. The two-day celebration of 100 years of Bentley Motors at Salon Privé will consist of Bentley Masters on Saturday and Bentley Drivers Club Concours d’Elegance alongside Salon Privé Classic & Supercar on Sunday.

On Saturday 7th September, the third running of the Masters Series at Salon Privé will be devoted to Bentley Motors, marking the 100th anniversary of this iconic British automotive marque. Although there will be a competitive element to the day, first and foremost it will be a celebration with an enviable display of 50 Bentleys from the earliest through to the very latest models. Together, they will bring to life the story of how the marque evolved to become one of the most admired luxury vehicle makers in the world today.

These 50 Bentley Masters motor cars will be judged on the Saturday by a panel carefully selected for their knowledge and expertise of the Bentley marque, combined with those who have a passion and life-long interest in these special cars. Salon Privé takes a relaxed and celebratory approach to the judging, rather than the close scrutiny of a traditional Concours event. Trophies will be awarded during the day, with the much-coveted Owners’ Choice presented at the Saturday evening Gala Dinner within the sumptuous surroundings of Blenheim Palace.

Salon Privé’s Co-Founder and Sales Director, David Bagley commented: “It’s a real honour for us to have been selected as the host event for Bentley’s Centenary this year and we are planning a spectacular weekend of celebrations at Blenheim Palace. On Saturday 7th September on the South Lawn, we present Bentley Masters at Salon Privé with an eye-watering display of 50 of the rarest and most exceptional models from around the world - already, entries have been received from France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, South Africa and The Netherlands. Then, on Sunday 8thSeptember, Bentley Drivers Club join us for their annual Concours d’Elegance and together, we will attempt to gather a record 1,001 Bentley together at one event. Stretching across the North Lawns, it will be the ultimate tribute for this iconic British marque.”

On Sunday 8th September, the Bentley Drivers Club (BDC) Concours d'Elegance will merge with the newly launched Salon Privé Classic & Supercar and with an expected record gathering of no less than 1,001 Bentleys from across the globe taking centre stage, it will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience not to be missed!

Lucky owners of exceptional Bentley models are invited and encouraged to consider entering their motor cars for both days of Salon Privé’s Bentley centenary celebration weekend. Models already submitted for entry to the whole weekend include a noteworthy 1929 Speed Six Gurney Nutting Weymann Saloon, one of just 182 Speed Six models built, a 1938 Sports Saloon by Park Ward and a 1950 Mk VI Drophead Foursome Coupeby E.D.Abbott, one of just 16 ever built.

Sunday 8th September will see the largest ever annual Bentley Drivers Club (BDC) Concours d’Elegance taking place as an integral part of the Salon Privé Classic & Supercar event at Blenheim Palace, with 18 prestigious trophies to be awarded, including Concours, Patina and the Inter-Regional Team Challenge awards. A special exhibition of significant Bentley cars from every decade will showcase 100 years of the marque; this will include the earliest surviving Bentley, EXP2, and a number of fascinating cars such as a striking-looking Continental GT Zagato, one of only nine made, and a unique Continental GT S Convertible ‘art car’ boldly decorated by the creative brush of celebrated artist Sir Peter Blake.

Bentley Drivers Club Chairman Ron Warmington said: “Our Concours d’Elegance will be a unique occasion and we would be delighted to mark Bentley Motors’ centenary by setting a new world record for the largest ever gathering of Bentleys in one place. Do come along – we guarantee you’ll have a wonderful day.”

SALON PRIVÉ ANNOUNCE SPECTACULAR NEW PUBLIC DAY ‘SALON PRIVÉ CLASSIC & SUPERCAR’

SALON PRIVÉ ANNOUNCE SPECTACULAR NEW PUBLIC DAY ‘SALON PRIVÉ CLASSIC & SUPERCAR’

 Salon Privé prides itself in continually evolving, offering brand new visitor experiences year after year, and this year promises not to disappoint.

Previously two separate events co-existed; Salon Privé and Blenheim Palace Classic & Supercar. Salon Privé offered three days of private full hospitality entertainment on the South Lawn of Blenheim Palace, followed by a public day spread across the Great Court and surrounding North Lawn of the stunning Oxfordshire Estate. For 2019, the two events will merge with Salon Privé becoming a four-day event format and the newly-launched Salon Privé Classic & Supercar taking place on the South Lawn Enclosure and North Lawn on Sunday 8th September 2019.

Visitors on the Public Day will have the option of purchasing a North Lawn ticket from £21.00 or a combined North Lawn & South Lawn Enclosure ticket from £36.00. The upgraded South Lawn Enclosure ticket includes full access to the supercar manufacturers, classic car specialists and luxury brands exhibiting within Salon Privé. On top of this, the North Lawn ticket includes a GT Tour display of 80 supercars, the Supercar Club Paddock with 500 supercars from Ferrari, McLaren, Lamborghini & Porsche, the Bentley Drivers Club Annual Concours and 1,001 Bentleys, celebrating the marque’s Centenary….

Salon Privé’s Co-Founder and Sales Director, David Bagley commented: “We have so much planned for the day on both lawns and look forward to welcoming enthusiasts, collectors & owners from throughout the UK and indeed, overseas. We’re particularly proud to be hosting the Bentley Drivers Club Annual Concours and partnering with them to create the largest collection of Bentleys ever gathered at a single event to mark the 100th anniversary of Bentley Motors. With in excess of 1,001 Bentleys attending and enthusiasts of the marque flying in from all corners of the globe, it promises to be a celebration to remember!”

Bagley went on to say: “Thanks to the flexibility of Blenheim Palace, Salon Privé is able to evolve continually, allowing us to present something new and exciting for our guests each year. The new format this year offers the ideal opportunity to create a ‘Club Day’ and work more closely with the car clubs of Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren and Porsche, as well as Bentley and Rolls-Royce who will have their own preferential parking area on the North Lawn. A trio of exciting new club awards will be up for grabs and presented later in the day within the South Lawn Enclosure. These will be the Salon Privé Secretary’s Trophy, the Salon Privé Manufacturer’s Trophy and for the people’s choice and best club car on the day, the Salon Privé Club Trophy.”

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

DENDROBIUM WOWS THE CROWDS ON ITS BLENHEIM PALACE PUBLIC DEBUT AT THE 2018 SALON PRIVÉ

DENDROBIUM WOWS THE CROWDS ON ITS BLENHEIM PALACE PUBLIC DEBUT AT THE 2018 SALON PRIVÉ

The new British electric hypercar maker Dendrobium Automotive Limited recently made its UK public debut to huge acclaim within the stunning surroundings of Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, England.

The unique, all-electric Dendrobium D-1 wowed the guests at the ultra-exclusive 2018 Salon Privé garden party event, the model attracting enormous interest and many admiring glances, including the attention of His Grace The Duke of Marlborough of Blenheim Palace, who was very keen to discuss the unique and highly-advanced zero-emission D-1 hypercar.

Inspired by nature and rooted in technology, the Dendrobium D-1 fuses a respect for the environment with a design-driven approach to engineering, the car being developed in the UK with the support and expertise of the celebrated Formula 1 company Williams Advanced Engineering.

As Salon Privé garden party guests discovered first-hand, the Dendrobium D-1’s design challenges the visual sense of viewers, while drawing out intrigue among the more discerning admirers. The D-1’s delicate marriage of futuristic lines and curves casts dramatic shadows, reflecting the soothing texture of aluminium, carbon fibre and glass, to create a truly distinctive machine that looks like no other supercar or hypercar in the world.

Dendrobium’s focus on having technology embodied in sculpture is a testament to the British marque’s endless pursuit of quality in terms of thought, design and build. With a target weight of just 1,750kgs, the carbon fibre D-1, with its super light and super strong advance composites and alloys, will represent the true feel of a supercar, not too big and heavy, allied to impressive linear performance, and re-writing the rules for the hypercar ownership experience.

The lightweight construction of the D-1 is based on a unique Protocell carbon tub which has been skillfully engineered with future adaptability for further generations of Dendrobium e-performance cars. In addition to its advanced vehicle technology, the D-1 has enormous drama and presence thanks to its unique Bio-Aerial Locomotion door and roof opening system, which is inspired by the Dendrobium orchid plant which unfurls naturally in a similar manner, from which the new British hypercar company takes its name. 

The D-1’s interior is designed around the driver as the absolute centre of attention. Contrasting with the predominantly black carbon fibre interior, the red body-hugging drivers’ sports seat features stitching and motifs inspired by human muscle fibres.

The Dendrobium design team has had conceptual sketches of an electric hypercar on the drawing boards since the mid-1990s, a vision that was many years ahead of its time. As electric technology has advanced, Dendrobium has been able to revisit this vision and now, as the Company launches its revolutionary global e-mobility strategy, the timing is finally right to take the wraps off a halo working prototype model, as displayed to astonished admirers within the beautiful grounds of Blenheim Palace at Salon Privé.

Ahead of the first production examples of the all-electric 1,800bhp D-1, a number of significant and exciting developments at Dendrobium Automotive will be announced shortly, with full details to be confirmed over the coming months.

Commenting on the UK public debut of the D-1 hypercar, Chairman and CEO of Dendrobium Automotive, Nigel Gordon-Stewart said, “After an extensive career in the supercar industry, I can honestly say that Dendrobium Automotive is one of the most exciting and future-focused businesses I've ever been involved with. Using the very latest technology, we are developing what will be the most impressive all-electric hypercar. We are designing our own in-house all-electric powertrain and we plan to use our own power storage cells moving to solid state as and when the technology is reliable and financially viable.”

Gordon-Stewart continues, “We are developing unique cabling and connector systems as well as our own complete vehicle integration and ADAS hardware and software. From a technical perspective, the D-1 will be a British engineering tour-de-force.” You can be assured that the Dendrobium brand will become synonymous with the most exciting and technically sophisticated e-hypercars on the market and available globally."