It's known as one of the most exclusive car shows in the UK, and Syon Park is playing host to the annual Salon Prive event, which includes rare and exotic metal from all over the worldLondon’s upmarket car show, Salon Privé, has kicked off at the Syon Park estate. The event runs from 3-5 September and features rarefied classics as well as modern exotica, including some cars being seen for the first time in public.
Highlights include the Concours d’Elégance on day one, the Salon Privé Sale auction at the end of day two, and the British Supercar Show on the closing day.
Two bespoke Italian supercars are among the most dramatic models on show. Using the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta as its base, the F12 TRS roadster was built to commission in-house at Maranello, and features an aggressively restyled exterior, a simplified cabin layout, 22-inch rear wheels and a bonnet window exposing its front-mounted 6.3-litre V12.
Even more transformative is the Gallardo LP570-4-based Lamborghini 5-95 Zagato, whose arresting carbonfibre body mixes sharp angles with smooth curves. The car celebrates 95 years of Zagato coachbuilding.
Like the 5-95, the aluminium-intensive Mini Superleggera Vision electric roadster made its debut at the Villa d’Este concours in Italy before arriving at Salon Privé. “Mini gave us the dimensions, but beyond that, we had design freedom. We have reinterpreted Mini DNA from an Italian point of view,” Touring Superleggera’s head of design, Louis de Fabribeckers, told us.
The concept previews an upcoming production model to take on the new Mazda MX-5.
Lister claims that nine of the 10 ‘Knobbly’ Lister Jaguar D-type continuation cars it has planned have now been sold, even though this is the car's public debut after the first example was completed last week. All sales have been for the £354,000 historic racing trim rather than the £366,000 road-going specification.
Though representatives on the firm’s show stand say a previously mooted modern Lister is still a possibility, the company will now focus on a continuation series of the later ‘Costin’ Lister Jaguar.
Another historic Jaguar being revived at Salon Privé is the Mark 2. The ‘Mark 2 by Callum’ – making its public debut – is Jag design chief Ian Callum’s personal evolution of the classic saloon, reengineered by Classic Motor Cars of Shropshire. ‘Simplified’ styling, a 4.3-litre XK engine and uprated suspension are among the one-off car’s modifications.
A surprise unveiling was the Morgan SP1 – the Malvern firm’s first fully bespoke model. Powered by the 3.7-litre Ford V6 from the Morgan Roadster, the SP1 wears bodywork influenced by the company’s LifeCar concept of 2009.
New-to-Morgan features include a curved windscreen, iPad-controlled infotainment and Watt’s linkage rear suspension in place of the usual leaf springs. “We’re dipping our toe in the water with this car,” said Morgan boss Steve Morris. “If a customer wants something special and it’s on-brand, this is a great way for us to demonstrate our bespoke coachbuilding skills.”
A prototype of the Elemental RP1, a British-built road-going track car, is also on show following its public debut at the Festival of Speed. This car uses a 2.0-litre, 280bhp powerplant, but even with Ford’s 1.0-litre Ecoboost engine, the lightweight RP1 is planned to offer more than 300bhp per tonne. Possible innovations include a live downforce readout via sensors mounted in the rear diffuser.
Another launch at Salon Privé is Overfinch’s take on the Range Rover Sport, starting at £87,995 for a 3.0-litre diesel based on HSE specification. Options for the top-of-the-range supercharged 5.0-litre V8 include a 42bhp power kit featuring an upgraded supercharger and bi-modal sports exhaust.
2014’s strong hypercar line-up includes a bright green LaFerrari, Koenigsegg’s 1124bhp Agera R, a Pagani Huayra and the 236mph Ruf Clubsport CTR3.
Themes for the Concours d’Elegance this year include 100 years of Maserati, 60 years of Jaguar D-type and 50 years of the Ferrari 275, all of which are supported by a strong turn-out of entries.
A Zagato class includes the striking Rover TCZ concept from 1967 (shown for the first time in 20 years), and the final Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato. The concours parade drew the biggest of the day’s smartly attired crowds, and was especially memorable for the roaring, rasping troupe of provenance-rich D-types.
The 16-strong ‘Stradale Collection’, amassed by Eagle boss Henry Pearman over 14 years, will go under the hammer as part of the Salon Privé Sale.
Two of its most valuable members are a 1931 Bentley 4.5 Litre ‘Blower’ and a black Ferrari Daytona Spyder, which could fetch over £2m each, while a Ferrari F40 and F50 also feature. Other lots include Range Rover chassis #001, which is expected to command £100,000-£140,000.
Salon Privé tickets for 4 and 5 September cost £234 per day, and afternoon tickets (from 2.30pm) are priced at £90. For tickets and hospitality packages call the ticket hotline on 0808 100 2205 or visit http://ift.tt/PrshHy.
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