The pleasures of Privé

Anthony Brown reports on the highlights of Salon Privé 2015

Despite entries being down from 100 cars and motorcycles in 2013 and 108 in 2014 to 69 this year, the relocated British automotive event of the year, Salon Privé, is well worth a visit.

On my trip there yesterday, it was a pleasure to see not only spectacular cars but also to enjoy the spectacular setting of Blenheim Palace and to encounter characters such as eccentrics like Blaine Schumacher who had brought his 1902 Oldsmobile curved two-seater runabout and who chose, alongside his wife, to dress in costume from that period.

Amongst the ‘star cars’ present was a 1957 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith restored under the direction of Hermès. It had been brought to the show from Belize by His Excellency Nunzio Alfredo D’Angieri and is not only nigh on silent when it moves, but also as colourful a highlight as the fashionable and distinguished family that owns it.

Also present to open the extravaganza was the 12^th Duke of Marlborough. Back from a holiday in Greece, the aristocrat quipped: “When I heard Salon Privé wanted to come to Blenheim, I thought: ‘Let’s give it a go’. Meanwhile, elsewhere, my wife’s off shopping in John Lewis”.

Spectacularly put together, this event is far more than a car show. Superbly catered with a lobster BBQ and afternoon tea, attendees enjoyed a fine Concours d’Elegance parade of Aston Martins, Ferraris (mostly from dealer Joe Macari) and Porsches and a lap of honour of winners later. Salon Privé remains open today and tomorrow. To purchase tickets, click here.

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