Salon Privé 2018 Highlights

Car events are often snazzy, glamorous occasions, but they don’t get more luxurious than Salon Privé Concours d’Elégance.

Held against the backdrop of what is regarded by some as Britain’s greatest palace, Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, the event presents arguably the finest collection of supercars, hypercars and classic cars in the world.

Of course, there’s other stuff going on like the luxury retail village, but we’re here for the cars. So which automobiles stood out at 13th annual Salon Privé Concours d’Elégance?

1933 Bugatti Type 55 Roadster

As in previous years, a whole raft of awards were handed out to the most remarkable cars on display and claiming the top ‘Best of Show’ prize was a 1933 Bugatti Type 55 Roadster, styled by Jean Bugatti.

It is considered to be the world’s most original Type 55 Roadster, as it is the only unrestored example with less than 50,000 miles on the clock.

Ferrari 1972 Dino 246 GT

A 1973 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS may have won the ‘Preservation at its Best’ award, but there was another Dino that attracted plenty of attention: a 1972 Dino 246 GT, once owned by Herman’s Hermits frontman Peter Noone.

The voice behind hits like ‘I’m Into Something Good’ and ‘No Milk Today’ was so desperate for a metallic purple Dino that he had the car painted from ‘Argento Auteuil’ to ‘Viola Dino Metalizzato’ as soon as he got the keys – it retains this stunning colour today.

Lamborghini Aventador SVJ

It wasn’t all heritage automobiles at Salon Privé – the event was the first in Europe to see the new Lamborghini Aventador SVJ.

Powered by a 759bhp V12, it is the fastest and most powerful Lambo in production, polishing off a 0-62mph sprint in a phenomenal 2.8 seconds with a top speed exceeding 217mph. Read more about it here.

Also on Lambo’s display space was the Urus super SUV, capable of 0-62mph in 3.6 seconds and 190mph.

Bentley Continental GT

It’s no surprise to see Bentley getting involved in such a prestigious, high-end event and the luxury car maker brought along a ‘Rubino Red’ Continental GT with Mulliner Driving specification. This special trim adds Hotspur & Beluga-split interior and dark Fiddleback Eucalyptus for a veneer finish.

Riding on 22-inch black and polished edge alloy wheels, it is the most advanced Bentley ever with a new 626bhp six-litre twin-turbocharged W12 engine that is good for 0-60mph in 3.6 seconds.

Full list of 2018 Chubb Insurance Concours d’Elégance results:

Best of Show:

Winner: 1933 Bugatti Type 55 Roadster

Runner-up: 1937 Delage D8-120

Third Place: 1971 Lamborghini Miura S

People’s Choice: 1964 Ferrari 250 LM

CLASS D: Preservation at its Best | Winner: 1973 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS
CLASS E: Pre-War Bugattis | Winner: 1933 Bugatti Type 55 Roadster
CLASS F: Pre-War Luxury Tourers | Winner: 1937 Delage D8-120
CLASS G: Grand Tourers of the 1950s and 60s | Winner: 1964 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso
CLASS H: Wind In Your Hair | Winner: 1972 Ferrari 365 GTS/4
CLASS I: Best of British at Blenheim Palace | Winner: 1965 Aston Martin DB5
CLASS J: Streamlined Closed Sports Cars | Winner: 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB
CLASS K: 50 Years of the Dino | Winner: 1970 Dino 246 GT
CLASS L: Supercars of the 70s | Winner: 1971 Lamborghini Miura S
CLASS M: Competition Cars | Winner: 1955 Porsche 550 RS

Special awards:

Duke of Marlborough’s Award (Car): 1964 Ferrari 250 LM
Chairman’s Award: 1936 Lancia Astura Cabriolet Series IV
Most Sensitive Restoration: 1939 Steyr 220
Most Elegant: 1969 Ferrari 365 GTC
Most Iconic: 1971 Lamborghini Miura S
Best Restored: 1961 Ferrari 250 GTE
Most Unique Bodywork: 1955 Porsche 550 RS
Most Original Post-War: 1994 Jaguar XJ220
Best Interior: 1967 Rolls-Royce Phantom V
Spirit Award: 1934 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Tipo Le Mans
Most Opulent: 1937 Delage D8-120
Coup de Coeur: 1968 Dino 206 GT
Endeavour Award: 1963 Ford Galaxie 500 Lightweight
Duke of Marlborough’s Award (Bike): 1962 Triumph TR6 R
Most Original Pre-War Motorbike: 1938 Moto Guzzi GTC Leggera 1938
Most Original Post-War Motorbike: 1952 BSA Gold Rocket
Most Distinguished Motorbike: 1967 Millyard RC374

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