The 2009 Salon Privé Concours d’Elégance, judged on July 24th at London’s Hurlingham Club, attracted some of Europe’s rarest classic cars into competition, where a record-breaking audience saw a beautiful example of a rare Ferrari NART Spyder take the Grand Prix.
This year’s event broke all previous attendance records, with 4,250 visitors drawn by a Concours focused on attracting only the best. The Salon Privé Concours comprised six categories, including one dedicated to the most significant Le Mans contenders of the past 50 years, which featured a 1969 ‘Gulf’ Porsche 917, regarded by many as the ultimate sports prototype racing machine.
Elsewhere on the 54-strong entry list was one of only two Profilee-bodied Type 46 Bugattis, an Hispano-Suiza H6B Coupe de Ville and an historic collection of post-war Aston Martins, including a DBR1.
The winner in each class was put forward for the overall Concours Grand Prix, together with the People’s Choice award winner, voted for by show visitors.
This particular award fell to a 1973 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS owned by Stewart Ross, which lined up for the final judging alongside a 1966 Bizzarrini Coupé, 1960 Aston Martin DB4 GT, 1933 Jaguar SS1 Coupé, 1969 Porsche 917K and 1973 Lamborghini Miura SV ‘Speciale’ , all of which were beaten to the overall title by Clive Beecham’s 1968 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 NART Spyder.
The Salon Privé Concours is judged by a hand-picked panel of experts and enthusiasts, led this year by five-time Le Mans winner, Derek Bell MBE.
The event’s organisers were delighted with the turnout and the result: “Salon Privé has grown to offer a Concours truly comparable in quality with other, more famous events”, said co-founder, David Bagley. “The level of competition this year was extremely high and the judges made some excellent choices.”
Salon Privé also played host to a remarkable collection of new luxury and super cars, hosting eight debuts this year including the UK public debuts of the new Jaguar XJ, £1.2m Aston Martin One-77, Rolls-Royce 200EX and the world premiere of the Vermot Veritas RSIII super car.
Part motor event, part social occasion, Salon Privé also attracted a raft of luxury brands, including Riva motor boats, Audemars Piguet watches, Boodles jewellery, suits and even shotguns, which were enjoyed at leisure, along with comprehensive – and complimentary – hospitality, including Pommery champagne, lobster and afternoon tea.
Bringing these elements together each July, Salon Privé transforms the manicured lawns of the Hurlingham Club in south-west London, creating a motoring and social occasion unlike any other.
Salon Privé will return in 2010, with details announced closer to the event.
Salon Privé Concours d’ Elegance 2009 Winners:
Overall Winner
1968 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 NART Spyder – Clive Beecham
People’s Choice Award: Best Classic Car
Ferrari Dino 246 GTS 1973 – Stewart Ross
Class A: American V8s (Autoglym)
Winner — Bizzarrini Coupé 1966 – Hugh James
Runner-Up — Ford Thunderbird 1955 – Jay Mould
Class B: Aston Martin Birth of the DB Series (Gregory Property Holdings Limited)
Winner — Aston Martin DB4 GT 1960 – Nigel Pritchard
Runner-Up — Aston Martin DB3S 1956 – Martin McGlone
Class C: Ferrari, 60 Years of Ferrari Roadsters (RMD – Rainsford Mann Design)
Winner — Ferrari 275 GTB/4 NART Spyder 1968 – Clive Beecham
Runner-Up — Ferrari Tipo 225S Barchetta 1952 – Martin Chisholm
Class D: Grand Routier, The Style & Panache of the 1930s and ‘40s (sponsor RM Auctions)
Winner — Jaguar SS1 Coupé 1933 – James Hull
Runner-Up — Bugatti T57 Grand Raid, Faux Cabriolet/Atalante 1935 – Claire Harrill
Class E: Vingt-Quatre Heures du Mans (sponsor Pommery Champagne)
Winner — Porsche 917K 1969 – Mark Finburgh
Runner-Up — Aston Martin DBR1 1957 – Tim Samways
Class F: Hall of Fame, Super Cars of the 1970s (sponsor Evo & Octane)
Winner — Lamborghini Miura SV ‘Speciale’ 1973 – Simon Kidston
Runner-Up — Maserati Ghibli 4.9SS 1971 – Alexander Fyshe
[Source: Salon Privé]
