SALON PRIVÉ CONCOURS D’ELÉGANCE BY CHUBB INSURANCE PRIZE WINNERS ANNOUNCED

SALON PRIVÉ CONCOURS D’ELÉGANCE BY CHUBB INSURANCE PRIZE WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Best of Show Winner: 1948 Talbot-Lago T26 GS Fastback Coupé (entered by Robert & Petra Kudela)

Reaffirming its place as the UK’s most exclusive Concours d’Elégance, the 2019 Salon Privé Concours d’Elégance by Chubb Insurance saw some of the world’s rarest and most spectacular classic cars and motorcycles battle it out against the breath-taking backdrop of Blenheim Palace.

Now in its 14th year, Salon Privé welcomed over 25,000 guests to the prestigious and stylish four-day event, staged within the immaculate grounds of Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire. The event continues to attract some of the most important collector cars in the world, very carefully chosen by the skilled Salon Privé Selection Committee.

For 2019, some 57 cars – 16 of them international entries – plus 18 motorcycles, were judged by an expert team during the Salon Privé Concours d’Elégance by Chubb Insurance. The star-studded Concours comprised of three motorcycle and 13 car classes, ‘Pre-War Touring (open)’; ‘Pre-War Touring (closed); ‘Pre-War Sports Racers’; ‘Competition Cars’; ‘Ferrari GTs’; ‘Post-War British Coachbuilt’: ‘Ferrari Americas’; ‘Post-War Touring (open)’; ‘Post-War Touring (closed); ‘60 Years of Ferrari 250 GT SWB (road)’; ’60 Years of the Ferrari 250 GT SWB (competition); ‘Classics of the Future pre-2000; ‘Classics of the Future post-2000’, all competing for the prestigious Best of Show, Best of Show Runners-up and Honorary Awards.

Ed Gilbertson, Chairman of the International Chief Judge Advisory Group (ICJAG) and President of the Jury, headed up a team of world-leading specialist automotive judges, to decide on the Class Winners and ultimate Best of Show. Derek Bell MBE, Chief Honorary Judge, headed up the Honorary Judges ranging from globally-renowned designers and journalists, to respected motoring historians and motor industry heavyweights.

Taking home top honours, with the prestigious Best of Show Trophy, was the stunning 1948 Talbot Lago T26 GS Fastback Coupé with Figoni coachwork, entered by Robert and Petra Kudela. Commissioned in 1948 by a Mr. Fayolle, commonly known as the ‘Zipper King’ of France (hence the string of horizontal chrome strips above the main central headlamp), the Talbot-Lago made its public debut at the 1949 Paris Salon. This flamboyant motor car was relocated to California in the late-1950s, where it spent almost 50 years in storage. The T26 returned to Europe in 2015 when a full restoration was undertaken to return the car to the precise specification ordered by M. Fayolle back in 1948.

The 2019 Best in Show runner-up was a Barker-bodied 1912 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost owned by Katie Forrest, with the unique Aprile-bodied 1931 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Gran Sport Spider of Corrado Lopresto placed third.

“This year’s Salon Privé Concours d’Elégance by Chubb Insurance has been the most successful concours event in our relatively short history.  Set against the spectacular backdrop of Blenheim Palace, it further reinforced Salon Privé’s major presence on the global concours scene. I was delighted to present each car and owner with their award, particularly of course the Best of Show Figoni-bodied Talbot Lago,” said Salon Privé Concours Chairman, Andrew Bagley. “The owners of the superb Talbot Lago, Robert and Petra Kudela were absolutely thrilled; so much so that, in true Formula 1 podium style, Robert proceeded to spray his Pommery Champagne over the concours’ judges and guests; a first for Salon Privé! It was an honour and a privilege to display the T26 on the Blenheim Palace lawns, among some of the most important cars and collectors in the world” he added.

The concours celebrations didn’t stop there however, as following a memorable prize-giving, the inaugural Salon Privé LIVE saw more than 120 classic, super and hypercars headed out through the imposing Blenheim Palace Town Gates and out onto the streets of Woodstock to an appreciative and smiling crowd of thousands of Woodstock residents. Even a disguised new Aston Martin DBX joined in the with festivities, making a visit into the event.

Salon Privé remains the UK’s only concours to organise a whole host of week-long activities, fast becoming known as ‘Salon Privé Week’. Tour Privé kicked off the automotive celebrations on Wednesday 4th September, followed by Salon Privé Concours on 5th, Salon Privé LIVE on 6th, Salon Privé Bentley Masters on 7th, finally rounding of the event with Salon Privé GT Tour and Salon Privé Classic & Supercar on Sunday 8th September.

The results for the 2019 Salon Privé Concours d’Elégance by Chubb Insurance were:-

Best of Show

Winner: 1948 Talbot-Lago T26 GS Fastback Coupé (entered by Robert and Petra Kudela)

Runner-up: 1912 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost by Barker (Katie Forrest)

People’s Choice

1930 Bentley 4.5 Litre Supercharged by Gurney Nutting (Anne Brockinton-Lee)

Honorary Awards

Duke of Marlborough Award: 1937 Delahaye 145 ‘Million Franc’ (Peter Mullin)

Chairman’s Award: 1935 Hispano Suiza K6 Cabriolet by Brandone (Richard Magides)

Class A: 100 Years of Brough Superior

Winner: 1936 Brough Superior SS100 (Howard Wilcox)

Runner-up: 1930 Brough Superior SS80 De Luxe (Dominic Jude)

Class B: Exceptional Motorcycles

Winner: 1972 Ducati 750S (Ian Clayton)

Runner-up: 1924 Norton Model 2 (Brian Glover)

Class C: Exceptional Competition Motorbikes

Winner: 1937 Triumph 5T Speed Twin Record Holder (Dick Shepherd)

Runner-up: 1968 BSA Ex Works Motocross (Mick Beech)

CLASS D: Pre-War Touring (open)

Winner: 1912 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost (Katie Forrest)

Runner-up: 1925 Bentley 3 Litre (Lawrence Moore)

CLASS E: Pre-War Touring (closed)

Winner: 1935 Voisin C-25 Aerodyne (Peter Mullin)

Runner-up: 1932 Bentley 8 Litre (Mihai Negrescu)

CLASS F: Pre-War Sports Racers

Winner: 1931 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Gran Sport Spider (Corrado Lopresto)

Runner-up: 1930 Bentley 4.5 Litre Supercharged (Anne Brockinton Lee)

CLASS G: Competition Cars

Winner: 1937 Delahaye 145 ‘Million Franc’ (Peter Mullin)

Runner-up: 1934 Bentley Barnato Hassan Special (Jorg Lemberg)

CLASS H: Ferrari GTs

Winner: 1954 Ferrari 250 GT Europa Vignale Coupé (Jaime Muldoon)

Runner-up: 1965 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 (Mark Holmes)

CLASS I: Post-War British Coachbuilt

Winner: 1953 Bentley R-Type Continental (Jonathan Lyons)

Runner-up: 1965 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III Coupe by Mulliner Park Ward (Robert Gaines-Cooper)

CLASS J: Ferrari Americas

Winner: 1952 Ferrari 342 America Cabriolet by Vignale (Dennis Garrity)

Runner-up: 1966 Ferrari 500 Supersport by Pininfarina (David Moores)

CLASS K: Post-War Touring (open motor cars)

Winner: 1957 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spyder Prototype (Bob Bishop)

Runner-up: 1950 Jaguar XK120 Drop Head Coupé (David Alston)

CLASS L: Post-War Touring (closed motor cars)

Winner: 1948 Talbot-Lago T26 GS Fastback Coupé (Robert and Petra Kudela)

Runner-up: 1953 Fiat 8V Rapi Corsa (Jan de Reu)

CLASS M: 60 Years of the Ferrari 250GT SWB (road)

Winner: 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta (Nigel Allen)

CLASS N: 60 Years of the Ferrari 250GT SWB (competition)

Winner: 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Passo Corto Competizione SEFAC (Private Collector)

CLASS O: Classics of the Future; Pre-2000

Winner: 1990 Lamborghini Countach Anniversary (Steve Casha)

Runner-up: 1992 Lamborghini Diablo (Mark Bogard)

CLASS P: Classics of the Future; Post-2000

Winner: 2016 McLaren 650S Le Mans (John Day)

Runner-up: 2019 Ferrari SP3JC (John Collins)

COLLECTOR CARS OF TOMORROW STAR IN ‘FUTURE CLASSICS’ AT CONCOURS OF ELEGANCE

COLLECTOR CARS OF TOMORROW STAR IN ‘FUTURE CLASSICS’ AT CONCOURS OF ELEGANCE

Bentley Mulsanne WO Edition

The Concours of Elegance is a display of only the rarest and most astonishing cars ever created. But the event always poses the question: “What are the Concours cars of tomorrow?”. The Future Classics class looks to provide the answer with a gathering of the latest, most exclusive limited-edition luxury and performance cars; the models that will one day become the most sought-after additions to a car collection.

The RUF CTR is perhaps the perfect example; steeped in heritage, handcrafted, exceedingly fast and incredibly rare. This 700bhp model is built on a totally bespoke aluminium platform, clothed in lightweight carbon fibre body panels. With a weight of just over 1100kg, it’s the successor to the legendary RUF CTR ‘Yellowbird’; a Porsche 911-based model that has hypnotised motoring enthusiasts with its famous filmed ‘Faszination’ lap of the Nürburgring. On its release, the ‘Yellowbird’ was the fastest car in the world, but the new CTR is faster still, with a top speed of 224mph. ‘Yellowbird’ itself will also be on display at Hampton Court Palace as part of the Main Concours line-up.

Joining the RUF is a limited edition Bentley model, built-in 2019 to celebrate the brand’s Centenary. The Mulsanne ‘W.O. Edition’ pays homage to Bentley’s founder, inspired by his very own 8 Litre, and even including a part of that car’s original crankshaft, proudly displayed between the two rear seats. The crankshaft is set within a veneered surface, with a handcrafted vision of W.O Bentley’s 8 Litre, completed in an art deco style during a painstaking process of more than 8 days. Elsewhere, the Centenary Mulsanne is marked out by its use of heritage hides of leather, W.O. Bentley signatures throughout and a number of 8 Litre-inspired styling touches.

The Bentley is joined by another British rarity; the Aston Martin Vulcan. This track-only two-seater was limited to just 24 units globally, powered by a 7.0-litre V12 engine producing 820bhp in its most powerful tune. Using Formula One-style pushrod suspension, adjustable dampers, adjustable anti-roll bars and variable traction control, this lightweight Aston Martin is the ultimate trackday car.  And from trackday car to out-and-out racing car, the Ginetta G60-LT-P1 will also be in the Future Classics line-up, featuring a full carbon fibre monocoque chassis and body, seven-speed racing gearbox by XTrac and a 3.4-litre turbocharged engine.

Almost at the other end of the automotive scale is the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé. Beautifully handcrafted, this particular example was the last ever Drophead Coupé off the line at the Rolls-Royce facility in Goodwood, constructed with a painstaking attention-to-detail over more than 800 hours.

Andrew Evans, Concours of Elegance Director, said: “There’s no doubt that the Concours of Elegance celebrates motoring heritage; after all, it’s often the stories behind some of these rare cars that makes them so special. But the stories being written in the modern automotive world deserve to be told, too, which is why we wanted to showcase this range of ‘Future Classics’. Each is a celebration of bespoke craftsmanship, performance and luxury; they’re the automotive rarities that you’d be astonished to see on a concours lawn 50 years from now.”

‘Future Classics’ is just one of four superlative features at this year’s Concours of Elegance, which also includes a world-first Aston Martin Zagato display, featuring one of every model produced by one of motoring’s most legendary partnerships. Visitors will also be able to see a 70th-anniversary display of five Ferrari 166MM models, including the 1949 Le Mans and Mille Miglia-winning car, which is informally known as the most significant Ferrari in the world.

The Concours of Elegance is built around its main display of around 60 of the rarest cars ever created, from 1904 right up to 2019. This once-in-a-lifetime collection of vehicles this year includes the Ballot 3/8 LC that won the very first Italian Grand Prix, and the 2018 McLaren P1 GTR ‘Beco’, featuring an Ayrton Senna-inspired livery and even a steering wheel made from the same material as Senna’s MP4/4 Formula One car.

Adult tickets for this year’s Concours of Elegance start from £40, with children under five and carers entering free of charge. For the first time, visitors can also book into an on-site ‘Tom’s Kitchen’ restaurant by celebrated chef, Tom Aikens for a full three-course lunch. Alternatively, Tom’s Kitchen provides less formal deli grab and go options or a three-course picnic.

Visitors are also able to purchase bespoke hospitality packages, including VIP parking, three-course lunch in the Owners’ Enclosure, drinks reception and cream tea. To buy tickets head to http://www.concoursofelegance.co.uk/tickets

SALON PRIVÉ PAYS TRIBUTE TO 60 YEARS OF SHORT WHEELBASE STYLE, ELEGANCE & EXCITEMENT; THE FERRARI 250 GT SWB BERLINETTA

SALON PRIVÉ PAYS TRIBUTE TO 60 YEARS OF SHORT WHEELBASE STYLE, ELEGANCE & EXCITEMENT; THE FERRARI 250 GT SWB BERLINETTA

 One of the Concours Classes at the much-anticipated 14th edition of Salon Privé (5th to 8th September) will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the highly-acclaimed and admired Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta.

First previewed in late 1959 at the Paris Salon, with small-scale production commencing in 1960, the short-wheelbase Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta dominated GT racing in the early 1960s. The SWB proved to be unbeatable in contemporary GT class competition, claiming the 1961 Constructor's Championship for Ferrari. The Ferrari 250 SWB also won the prestigious Tour de France Automobile endurance race in 1960, 1961 and 1962, before moving aside to make way for the Maranello marque’s equally successful, and now legendary, 250 GTO.

Developed by Ferrari’s gifted ‘dream team’ of engineers – Giotto Bizzarrini and Carlo Chiti – the 250 GT Berlinetta SWB sat on a truncated 2,400 mm (94.5 in) chassis, taken from the ‘regular’ 250 for even better handling. This shorter chassis was mated to the fabled Colombo 3-litre V12 engine, developing a healthy 237 to 276 bhp and wrapped in a brutal but beautiful Pininfarina-designed coupe body. The SWB’s coachwork was handcrafted by Scaglietti in both steel and aluminium, with both body types used in various road ‘Lusso’ and racing trims.

Just 176 examples of the stunning Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta SWB were built, 8 examples of which have been entered into the world-renowned Salon Privé Concours d’Elégance by Chubb Insurance, now one of the top 3 global Concours events alongside Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este and Pebble Beach Concours.

The first of the two Ferrari 250 GT SWBs entered, chassis 3037, was the sixth right hand drive example imported by Maranello Concessionaires Ltd. It was supplied new in October 1961, finished in Rosso Corsa (Racing Red) with a black leather interior, and some competition features like the racing seats and outside quick release fuel filler cap. It was displayed at the 1961 London Motor Show at Earls Court that month, and then repainted metallic grey before being used by the company principal, Colonel Hoare as his road car and demonstrator on UK registration number PR 99. In early 1962 it was repainted once more, this time in blue, before being offered for sale. It has spent most of its life with UK owners, apart from brief periods in Europe and the USA, and was returned to its original Rosso Corsa colour scheme some years ago, and retains this to this day.

The second car, Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Competizione, chassis 2009, was ordered new through Maranello Concessionaires Ltd. in England for Mr Graham Whitehead; a relatively well-known privateer racing driver of the period.  After many podium finishes in the ‘60s, and after several new owners, chassis 2009 was eventually sent to Ferrari Classiche in 2015 for a comprehensive restoration where the Ferrari Classiche Certification was granted.  Since the restoration the car has been exhibited at Ferrari’s 70th Anniversary Celebration at Maranello where it won “Honorary Jury Special Award” and most recently at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este.

Commenting on the 8-strong line up of 250 GT SWBs entered into this year’s Salon Privé Concours d’Elégance by Chubb Insurance, Salon Privé’s Chairman Andrew Bagley said: “The inclusion of notable Ferraris are a must for any world-class Concours d’Elégance such as Salon Privé, and to have 8 significant models of the 250 GT Berlinetta SWB is a real honour and highlights the global reputation and status of our spectacular and exclusive celebrations at Blenheim Palace.”

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

THE MOST SIGNIFICANT FERRARI IN THE WORLD JOINS THE 166MM CELEBRATION AT CONCOURS OF ELEGANCE

THE MOST SIGNIFICANT FERRARI IN THE WORLD JOINS THE 166MM CELEBRATION AT CONCOURS OF ELEGANCE

 The Concours of Elegance will welcome perhaps the most significant Ferrari in the world to its 2019 event as part of a special 70th-anniversary celebration of the 166MM Barchetta’s race victories at Le Mans, Spa and the Mille Miglia.

Four of the most historically significant 166MM chassis will gather in Hampton Court Palace’s beautiful Fountain Gardens from 6th-8th September, spearheaded by the ex-works #0008M – which is widely regarded as the most significant Ferrari in the world. It was uniquely piloted to a debut victory at both the Mille Miglia and the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1949, making it the only car of any marque to ever have achieved that feat. It also secured the first of the marque’s nine victories at the legendary endurance race, after which it went on to be displayed at the Paris Auto Salon that year.

The 1949 24 Hours of Spa was then won that same year by the second works-entry 166MM, #0010M, which is also set to feature in the Hampton Court Palace display. It has resided in the US for the last half-a-century and will be making the trip across the Atlantic especially for the Concours of Elegance, represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for UK car enthusiasts.

Former Fiat and Ferrari owner, Gianni Agnelli’s personally commissioned 166 Barchetta #0064M is also set to appear as part of the Concours line-up. The two-tone blue and green masterpiece won both class and outright victories at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in-period and has since been awarded the ‘Coppa d’Oro’ at the Villa d’Este Concorso d’Eleganza. It will feature alongside the third Ferrari Barchetta ever made another Villa D’Este winner from some 66 years prior – chassis #0006M, a Barchetta that competed in the 1949 Mille Miglia, finishing 6th in class. Exactly 70 years after its first victory at Concorso d’Eleganza, #0006M was once again crowned a winner at the event during its 2019 run.

Two fine examples of the 166’s replacement, the Ferrari 212 Export will also join the display. A 212 Export Barchetta #0078E, winner of the 1951 Tour de France and driven by Phil Hill to victory at Torrey Pines in 1952, will be in attendance alongside 212 Export Berlinetta #0108E; an entrant into the 1952 Mille Miglia.

Regarded as the UK’s finest concours d’elegance, the Hampton Court Palace Concours of Elegance will, for its 8th event, return to the finely manicured gardens of the former home of Henry VIII. From 6-8 September, this once-in-a-lifetime gathering of spectacular vehicles will not only include the 166 celebrations, and a world-first display of Aston Martin Zagato models but a number of other as-yet-unannounced features.

Of course, the Concours of Elegance’s central display of more than 60 of the rarest vehicles ever built will be the focal point, telling the story of the motor car from the pioneers of the 1890s right through to the latest bespoke hypercars. Picking out icons and rarities from the world’s most famous car brands, including Lamborghini, Ferrari, Bugatti and Rolls-Royce, the Concours of Elegance is a celebration of craftsmanship, luxury and innovation.

Andrew Evans, Concours of Elegance Director, said: “It is with great pleasure and excitement that we announce the latest feature at this year’s Concours of Elegance. Gathering this astonishing collection of heritage-laden 166MM racers – including the most significant vehicle in Ferrari’s incredible history, no less – is truly a once-in-a-lifetime event.

Having already revealed the world-first Aston Martin Zagato feature, which will display one of every model produced by one of motoring’s most legendary partnership, we’ve got the content of a world-class show already. Of course, that’s without mentioning what has always sat at the heart of our event – over 60 of the rarest cars ever built – and the near-1,000 rare and exotic cars that will make up our other features and car club displays.”

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

CONCOURS OF ELEGANCE TO HOST WORLD-FIRST CELEBRATION OF ASTON MARTIN AND ZAGATO

CONCOURS OF ELEGANCE TO HOST WORLD-FIRST CELEBRATION OF ASTON MARTIN AND ZAGATO

: The Concours of Elegance has announced the first of its show-stopping features for 2019: a world-first display of one of every Aston Martin Zagato variant ever manufactured. From the 1960 DB4 GT Zagato, right through to the Vanquish Zagato Coupé, Volante, Speedster and Shooting Brake, visitors will be able to browse 16 examples from one of the most famous creative partnerships in automotive history.

The Aston Martin Zagato Celebratory Display is being curated by the Aston Martin Owners Club (AMOC), supported by Aston Martin Lagonda and Zagato. The display will include a number of extremely rare, as well as several unique, models, including one of the most famous racing Aston Martins in history, DB4 GT Zagato ‘1 VEV’.  Taking their place alongside ‘1 VEV’ are one-off cars including the V12 Vanquish Roadster Zagato, DB9 Spyder Zagato Centennial and Virage Shooting Brake Zagato Centennial.

Aston Martin and Zagato first came together with the reveal of the DB4 GT Zagato at the Earl’s Court Motor Show in 1960. Initially designed with aerodynamics and light weight in mind – to make the DB4 GT quicker on-track – nobody could have known that this car would provide the spark for one of the motoring industry’s greatest ever double-acts.

For all the icons of Aston Martin and Zagato that abound today, it’s worth noting that after the initial DB4 GT Zagato, the companies wouldn’t work together again until the V8 Vantage Zagato appeared at the Geneva Motor Show in 1986 – over 25 years later. And then again, it wasn’t until 2002 that we saw the DB7 get the Zagato treatment, including the DB4 GT Zagato-inspired “double bubble” roofline.

Into the more modern era and we saw the next fruits of the Aston Martin Zagato partnership in 2011 – around the 50th anniversary of their first creation – with the V12 Vantage-based V12 Zagato. Then, even more recently, there was the reveal of the gorgeous Vanquish Zagato Coupé, Volante, Speedster and Shooting Brake variants.

Earlier this year, Aston Martin and Zagato revealed the next step in their partnership: the DBZ Centenary Collection, in celebration of 100 years of Zagato – two cars you can only buy as a pair. The special pair includes a Zagato-styled variant of the new DBS Superleggera and a continuation of the original DB4 GT Zagato. Only 19 pairs are available globally.

That’s part of the enduring appeal of Aston Martin Zagato models - they aren’t just beautiful and ferocious, they’re also extremely rare. Only every so often will the two companies come together to create their next automotive artwork and, even when they do, the production numbers are extremely limited: Only 52 V8 Vantage Coupés, only 100 DB7 Zagatos, only 65 V12 Zagatos and a mere 28 Vanquish Zagato Speedsters.

Although the Aston Martin Zagato display will be gathered at Hampton Court Palace for all three days of the Concours of Elegance, Saturday 7th September is the day to attend for Aston Martin enthusiasts. As part of the event’s car club displays – gathering hundreds of rare vehicles from the nation’s top car clubs – there will be an astonishing display of over 50 rare and exotic models on display courtesy of the Aston Martin Owners Club.

The UK’s finest concours d’elegance event will return to the exquisite surroundings of Henry VIII’s former home from 6-8 September, bringing with it a once-in-a-lifetime gathering of spectacular vehicles.

The Concours of Elegance’s main display of around 60 vehicles will be the focal point of the event, telling the story of the motor car from the 1890s right through to the modern day. Picking out icons and rarities from the world’s most famous car brands, including Lamborghini, Ferrari, Bugatti and Rolls-Royce, the Concours of Elegance is a celebration of craftsmanship, luxury and innovation. A 1921 Ballot S/C, the car that won the first ever Italian Grand Prix, was recently announced as one of the stars of the main display.

A number of 2018’s features will also be returning, including the Royal Automobile Club Trophy – contested by winners of the nation’s best car clubs – and the Future Classics class. Last year’s Future Classics included the unique Rolls-Royce Sweptail, the (one-of-seven) Aston Martin Vantage V600 and the McLaren Senna chassis #001.

Andrew Evans, Concours of Elegance Director, said: “The Aston Martin Zagato partnership has produced such a consistently astonishing array of cars that it almost deserves an event of its own. What we’ve developed here in partnership with AMOC, Aston Martin and Zagato is the next best thing - a dedicated area at the UK’s top concours d’elegance event, hosted among the beautiful Fountain Gardens of one of Britain’s most amazing buildings. We’ve got so much world-class content at our event this year, however, this Aston Martin Zagato celebratory display is one that I personally can’t wait to see."

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

FIRST EVER ITALIAN GRAND PRIX-WINNING BALLOT 3/8 LC SET FOR CONCOURS OF ELEGANCE 2019

FIRST EVER ITALIAN GRAND PRIX-WINNING BALLOT 3/8 LC SET FOR CONCOURS OF ELEGANCE 2019

Ballot 3/8 LC - Credit - Tim Scott

The first extraordinary car has been confirmed for this year’s Concours of Elegance: a Ballot 3/8 LC famous for winning the first ever Italian Grand Prix in 1921. This impeccable piece of motorsport history is just one of a line-up of over 60 rare and exotic motor cars set to take their place in the glorious Fountain Gardens of Hampton Court Palace this September.

The Ballot 3/8 LC was a cutting-edge French racing car, capable of 124mph at a time when many normal road cars struggled to hit half that. The engine’s double overhead camshafts, four-valves-per-cylinder and hemispherical combustion chambers were the works of a genius mind belonging to Ernest Henry.

These innovations led to its victory at the Italian Grand Prix which, incidentally, would have ruffled a few feathers. The two French Ballots competing took first and second spots, while a Fiat 802 – the Italian crowd’s favourite – took third. But the Ballots won for their strategy, conserving fuel and tyres against the much faster Fiat, and not once stopping.

Gathering the rarest and most exquisite vehicles from throughout automotive history, the 2019 Hampton Court Palace Concours of Elegance promises to be the best yet. Last year the event welcomed a wondrous array of automotive masterpieces, from a 1903 Panhard et Levassor O4R to a 1997 McLaren F1 GTR Long Tail and beyond.

Although the Concours of Elegance’s main display of around 60 vehicles will be the focal point, nearly 1,000 cars will be on display during the three-day event. A number of 2018’s features will be returning, including the Royal Automobile Club Trophy – contested by winners of the nation’s best car clubs – and the Future Classics class. Last year’s Future Classics included the unique Rolls-Royce Sweptail, one-of-seven Aston Martin Vantage V600 and McLaren Senna chassis #001.

Concours of Elegance Managing Director, Andrew Evans, said: “Having this incredible Ballot 3/8 LC – the very car that claimed victory at the 1921 Italian Grand Prix, no less – at the Concours of Elegance is a wonderful privilege. The Ballot 3/8 LC perfectly encompasses everything that is great about our concours entrants – the car sees regular use, it’s fantastically rare and it holds an important place in automotive history. This one car is really just a taste of what we have in store this year; our special features, our partners and the quality of the cars on display are undoubtedly all the best yet.”

Tickets to the Concours of Elegance are on sale now, available from www.concoursofelegance.co.uk/tickets

You can view the Classic Chatter Photo gallery of the 2018 Concours by following the link:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/classiccarimages/sets/72157672995773408

Concours of Elegance 2018

CHUBB INSURANCE CONCOURS D’ELÉGANCE AT SALON PRIVÉ CONFIRMS FULL LIST OF ENTRANTS

CHUBB INSURANCE CONCOURS D’ELÉGANCE AT SALON PRIVÉ CONFIRMS FULL LIST OF ENTRANTS

salon Privé, firmly established as the UK’s most exclusive automotive garden party, will open its doors from Thursday 30 August to Saturday 1 September and welcome thousands of guests for the three-day event.

Some 53 cars, 17 of them international entries, and 20 motorcycles will be judged during the Chubb Insurance Concours d’Elégance on Thursday 30 August. The star-studded Concours comprises three motorcycle and ten car classes, including ‘Preservation at its Best’; ‘Pre-war Bugattis’; ‘Pre-war Luxury Tourers’; ‘Grand Tourers of the 1950s & ’60s’; ‘Wind in Your Hair’; ‘Best of British at Blenheim Palace’; ‘Streamlined Closed Sports Cars’; ’50 Years of the Dino’; ‘Supercars of the ’70s’ and ‘Competition Cars’.

An expert team of judges will award the Best of Show, Best of Show runner-up and Class prizes.

Five-time Le Mans winner Derek Bell MBE will chair the judging committee during the Chubb Insurance Concours d’Elégance. The two-time World Sports Car Champion and former works Ferrari and Porsche ace is one of many star names lending their experience and opinions to proceedings. They range from globally-renowned designers and journalists to respected historians and motor industry heavyweights. The judging panel comprises:

Derek Bell MBE - Five-times Le Mans Winner

Ben Barkaway - Ferrari Specialist Technician

Matthias Bartz - Ferrari Dino Historian, Book Author and International Judge

Keith Bluemel - Ferrari Historian, Writer and International Judge

Henry Cole - CEO of Gladstone Motorbikes and Television Presenter

Yasmin Le Bon - Classic Car Enthusiast, International Supermodel and Designer

Louis de Fabribeckers - Head of Design at Touring Superleggera

Marco Makaus - Classic and Luxury Car Industry Veteran

John Mayston-Taylor - Former CEO of Lynx Motors International and International Judge

Hugo Modderman - Vintage Car Enthusiast, Collector & International Judge

Cecilia Muldoon - Rally Driver, Collector and Junior Classic Car Judge

Steve Parrish - Former Grand Prix motorcycle rider and double British Champion, current Motorsport Commentator and Author

Jeff Smith MBE - Former World Champion Motocross Racer

Harvey Stanley - Acquisition Consultant for DK Engineering and Historic Racing Driver

Giles Taylor - Former Director of Design for Rolls-Royce Motorcars

Marcus Willis - Co-Founder of Girardo & Co., formerly Research Specialist at RM Sotheby’s

Tony Willis - Owner of the Maranello Concessionaires Archive and Valuations Consultant to Ferrari Financial Services.

Now in its 13th consecutive year, and with a long-term agreement in place, Salon Privé is set for a long and bright future at Blenheim Palace, with the recent announcement that His Grace, The 12th Duke of Marlborough accepted to become the event’s official Patron.

“I was honoured to be asked by Andrew and David Bagley to become the Honourary Patron of Salon Privé and had no hesitation in accepting the position,” His Grace commentated. “I have long been a car enthusiast and through my honorary patronage, I 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. While 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 supercar show.”

CHUBB INSURANCE CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE ENTRANTS

1. 1910 Pierce Four 700cc
2. 1925 Brough Superior SS100 996cc
3. 1926 Indian Scout 600cc
4. 1938 Moto Guzzi GTC Leggera 500cc
5. 1939 BSA 'Silver Star' B21 250cc
6. 1941 Indian 741 500cc
7. 1957 Velocette Le MKII 197cc
8. 1962 BSA Rocket Gold Star 650cc
9. 1962 Triumph TR6R 650cc
10. 1974 MV Agusta 750 Sport 742cc
11. 1979 Ducati Mike Hailwood Replica 968cc
12. 1979 Honda CBX1000 1000cc
13. 1926 Brough Superior SS100 1000cc
14. 1958 Norton Manx 350cc
15. 1958 Triumph T110 650cc
16. 1966 Triumph TT 650cc
17. 1967 Millyard RC374 374cc
18. 1968 BSA ex works Motocross 500cc
19. 1975 Honda Hondastyle Racer 998cc
20. 1978 Honda F2 GP 598cc
21. 1920 Bugatti Type 13 Brescia
22. 1926 Hispano Suiza H6B
23. 1928 Aston Martin T-type Sport Tourer
24. 1928 Bugatti Type 44 Aerodynamique
25. 1933 Bugatti Type 55 Roadster
26. 1933 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Tipo Le Mans
27. 1937 Delage D8-120
28. 1938 Lancia Astura Cabriolet Series IV
29. 1939 Steyr 220 Cabriolet
30. 1952 Jaguar XK120
31. 1953 Aston Martin DB2/4
32. 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 MKI
33. 1955 Porsche 550 RS Spyder
34. 1956 Lotus XI Le Mans
35. 1958 Aston Martin DB MKIII
36. 1959 Lotus Elite S1
37. 1960 MG A
38. 1960 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Zagato
39. 1961 Ferrari 250 GTE
40. 1961 Jaguar E Type
41. 1962 Shelby Cobra 260 MKI
42. 1963 Aston Martin DB4 Series V Convertible
43. 1963 Mercedes-Benz 220 SE Cabriolet (W111)
44. 1963 Ford Galaxie 500 R Lightweight
45. 1964 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso
46. 1964 Ferrari 250 Le Mans
47. 1965 Ferrari 275 GTS
48. 1965 Aston Martin DB5
49. 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB
50. 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 MKIII
51. 1967 Rolls-Royce Phantom V
52. 1967 Bizzarrini 5300 GT America BA4
53. 1968 Ferrari 275 GTB4
54. 1968 Dino 206 GT
55. 1969 Ferrari 365 GTC
56. 1969 Lamborghini Espada
57. 1970 Dino 246 GT Smith
58. 1971 Lamborghini Miura S
59. 1971 Iso Grifo MKII
60. 1972 Ferrari 365 GTS4
61. 1972 Dino 246 GT
62. 1972 Dino 246 GT
63. 1972 Dino 246 GT
64. 1972 Dino 246 GT
65. 1973 Dino 246 GTS
66. 1973 Dino 246 GT
67. 1973 Dino 246 GTS
68. 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Sport
69. 1976 Lamborghini Urraco P300
70. 1978 Ferrari 512 BB Koenig
71. 1979 Aston Martin V8 Vantage
72. 1989 Ferrari F40 GT/LM
73. 1994 Jaguar XJ220

Source: Salon Prive