Salon Privé London 2022 looks to be a hit for car lovers 

* Competition motors and road going icons will compete in Concours de Vente.

* Highly unique Delahaye and Bentley entered by Fiskens.

* Tom Hartley and Simon Drabble will show GT greats including Jaguar and Ferrari.

* DK Engineering will be at the Royal Hospital Chelsea with the unique 1962 AC prototype.

The Concours de Vente at Salon Privé London will include some of the greatest vehicles, including the UK’s first Ferrari Daytona, a Mille Miglia class-winning OSCA MT4, and the Barnato-Hassan Bentley racer. This is just a taste of the mouth-watering machinery that’s been confirmed for the inaugural event running from 21st-23rd April.

From its premises close by in Kensington, Fiskens will bring two especially unique, but highly different cars. The 1936 Delahaye 135 CS that they’ll be showing at Salon Privé London was newly given to chocolatier Jacques Menier and driven for him all through 1936 by Philippe Maillard-Brune. It raced in all of the premier French events that year – the 3 Heures de Marseille, the GP de la Marne, and the GP de l’Automobile Club de France – and was even entered into the Le Mans 24 Hours before that race was cancelled.

The 3.6-litre six-cylinder splendor was obtained by René Cotton following World War Two and started a surprising second racing life, effectively competing against more advanced machinery. It ran for ‘sports car of the year’ by finishing 8th at the 1952 Monaco Grand Prix, and was included in high-profile events like the Liège-Rome-Liège Rally and Mille Miglia.

It is one of only a few surviving examples of the 135 CS, remarkably still retaining its original Electron gearbox and coachwork. Recently, it has been looked after and cared for by prestigious collectors Lord Bamford and Abba Kogan.

Fiskens may also be showcasing a 1961 Bentley Continental S2 in untouched time-warp condition. It became ordered new via way of means of Ernest Scragg & Sons, the Managing Director of which became Phil Scragg – the famous racing motive force and hillclimb specialist. The Bentley stayed in the collection of Doreen and Ray Fielding for over 50 years and wears its original paint still – a striking and unique mixture of Whitehall Grey over Rose Beige.

Tom Hartley will be bringing a rare 1960 Ferrari 250 GT Pininfarina Cabriolet (below) into the Concours de Vente. Incredibly, it is one of only 200 Series II the Maranello manufacturing facility, it blended elegantly constrained coachwork by Turin design house Pininfarina with Ferrari’s cutting-edge developments for its fabled 250 GT bloodline – consisting of 4-wheel disc brakes and the ‘outside spark plug’ Tipo 128F variant of the 3-litre Colombo V12 engine. 

The motor was recently owned by a marque enthusiast from Britain and was restored fully in 2018, and was awarded the highly desired Ferrari Classiche Certification.

Back in 1961, Jaguar stole much of the luxury car limelight from the likes of Ferrari with its remarkable 150mph E-type. The aerodynamicist Malcolm Sayer designed this true landmark in motoring history, developed with the same principles as the Le Mans-winning D-type.

Simon Drabble will be bringing to the Concours de Vente an example of the earliest ‘flat floor’ E-types, which are considered the most collectable. The matching-numbers Roadster, built in December 1961, will be presented in its original colour scheme of outside Cream with a red interior, having recently completed a full restoration.

DK Engineering will participate in the Concours de Vente with the exquisite AC MA-200 prototype (below). Designed in 1962 by ex-MIG plane engineer Zdislaw Teofil Marzewski, it featured an aluminium body masking a spaceframe chassis. The car contained inboard rear discs and was fitted with F1-style inboard coil-spring suspension, drawing comparisons by many to the Frua-bodied Maserati Mistral of the same year. A series production was intended, though due to the huge demand of Shelby America’s AC Ace meant it was a shelved project.

Today’s custodian obtained the vehicle in 2006 and has rigorously researched its records, resulting in a wealth of blueprints and factory drawings. On top of this, the car has been restored to ‘as new’ specifications, leading to numerous accolades, such as top honours at the 36th Concours d’Elegance of America, and Best in Class award at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance.

The list of specialists confirmed to be battling it out for the inaugural Prix d’Honneur at Royal Hospital Chelsea includes:

Barkaways | Classic Motor Hub | Collecting Cars | DD Classics | DK Engineering | DT Vintage | Dylan Miles Ltd | Fiskens | Girardo & Co | Graeme Hunt | Hendon Way Motors | Hofmann’s Henley | Howard Wise | Jeremy Cottingham | Joe Macari | Richards of England | RM Sotheby’s | RS Williams Ltd | Simon Drabble | Simon Furlonger Specialist Cars Ltd | The Octane Collection | Tom Hartley | Vintage Bentley

In keeping with Salon Privé’s status as one of the world’s most reputable automotive events, 11 vehicles will be making their UK, European, or global debut at Royal Hospital Chelsea. The very latest models from the likes of Rolls-Royce, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, Jaguar, Land Rover SVO, Alpine, Genesis, and Pininfarina will be on show alongside Morgan Motor Company, and the latest cutting-edge machinery from Harley-Davidson and Indian Motorcycles. Also on display will be British specialists Jensen Automotive, Envisage, Overfinch, Charge Cars, and Everrati, to offer a line-up that covers everything from reinterpreted classics to next generation EVs and hypercars.

Salon Privé London is sure to be one of the UK’s most pretigious parties, with plenty to do and see, alongside the plethora of motoring attractions. The shopping village will host exclusive fashion brands, including acclaimed British jewellery designer Boodles. Offerings from Patek Philippe watches to Bell helicopters and Riva motor boats will be there, as well as the unparalleled hospitality that Salon Privé has long been renowned. London Essence cocktail bars will have the Pommery Champagne flowing and the thrilling cocktails concocted by the mixologists from the NoMad, Louie, and Donovan Bar.

To supplement this, Salon Privé has partnered with innovative and renowned hospitality group JKS Restaurants to offer visitors with a distinctive dining experience. This will consist of dishes from the cult Taiwanese specialists BAO, Indian BBQ classics by Brigadiers, and the Michelin-starred Gymkhana. On top of this, there will be plates from Chelsea’s The Cadogan Arms and Fitzrovia’s The George, offering pub grub that celebrates the best of British produce, making Salon Privé London a proper foodie’s delight.

There’s additionally the option to revel in a delicious three-course seated luncheon in The Sloane – the occasion’s exclusive VIP Hospitality Pavilion – as DJs keep guests enthralled into the evening (9pm). Salon Privé London will be open untill 9pm on the Thursday and Friday, letting everybody soak up the joyful atmosphere as dusk falls.

About Royal Hospital Chelsea

The Royal Hospital Chelsea was built over 300 years ago during King Charles II reign, whose desire to offer a home for veteran soldiers was brought to fruition by Sir Christopher Wren. King Charles II understood that Britain owes a debt of gratitude to its soldiers, and this informs the spirit of the Royal Hospital today.

Those living at the Royal Hospital, known across the world as Chelsea Pensioners, are all retired soldiers of the British Army. To this day, The Royal Hospital provides care and comradeship to veterans to this day,  in recognition of their loyal service to the nation. 

Located within the borough of Kensington and Chelsea, in the heart of West London, the Hospital is easily accessible by road, rail, and tube from within the capital and beyond.

Already established as a distinguished city venue through lengthy associations with the likes of the Masterpiece Art Fair and RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the Royal Hospital Chelsea was a simple choice for Salon Privé London and an adequate counterpart to the September venue, Blenheim Palace.

Guests will be pleased to know that Salon Privé London is donating 20% of all Entry Ticket revenue to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) via Work for Good. #StandWithUkraine

Buy your tickets now if you’ve not already done so. See you there.