Photography from John Retter
My blast across the Oxfordshire countryside to Blenheim Palace last week was made all the more pleasurable by the glorious countryside in full summer bloom accompanied by blue skies and a rare appearance of the sun!
Salon Prive was my destination, and I have to say not everyone is a fan of the new Blenheim Palace location, but I am. Home to the 12th Duke of Marlborough and his family, the ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped lake and park setting is so awe inspiring I could never tire of visiting here. Despite a stream a daily visitors the house and grounds always look immaculate and especially so last week in the glorious sunshine.
New to 2016 was an arrive and drive style welcome at Salon Prive a chance to test drive some of the modern Supercars. But every visit to Salon Privé starts with a pleasant walk across the lawns, a chance to enjoy the garden and views of the house and appreciate the avenue of supercars entered for the 2016’s Chubb Insurance Concours d’Elégance.
Once inside the enclosure, you can expect a glittering array of stunning cars and motor bikes, a friendly relaxed garden party feel atmosphere with five star hospitality service. This year in tribute to the 50th anniversary of the iconic supercar the Lamborghini Miura anniversary class drew eight amazing examples to the concours lawns, a variety of colours including glittery sky blue! The Lamborghini Miura P400SV of Adrian Labi ultimately proved the winner, with the P4000SV of Bill Heinecke finishing close behind.
On arrival on Thursday the first thing I did was vote for my favourite car on the lawn, and it was easy for me, this stunning 1956 Ferrari 500 was the biggest head turner for me and the car went on to steal the Best of Show on the Thursday of Salon Privé. It was also the winner in its Racing Improves the Breed class, with another famous Italian car, a magnificent 1954 Maserati A6 GCS Berlinetta close behind, being runner-up in the same class. The Maserati however did pip the Ferrari to the post in the race to receive the People’s Choice award. (So not the one I voted for then!)
There were other Italian winners including the completely original 1992 Ferrari F40 which won the Dream Machines class, and a beautifully restored 1972 Dino 246 GT which won the European Grand Tourers category. The infamous Ferrari 365 ‘Daytona’ caused a stir at this year’s show, with the 1971 Ferrari 365 GTS/4 taking Gone with the Wind class win in, the 1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 winning Best Interior class, and the 1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 finishing runner up in European Grand Tourers class.
With over 75 exceptional classic cars and motorbikes, some making their annual appearance from museums around the world, this year’s Chubb Insurance Concours d’Elégance assembled some outstanding vehicles.
Salon Privé Managing Director & Concours Chairman, Andrew Bagley commented “There are cars that just impress from the start, and this year the 1956 Ferrari 500 Testa Rossa wowed the judges. Never having been seen before at a worldwide Concours, it was a sight to behold for any Concours connoisseur”
“A Testa Rossa being a rare model in itself, this car ticked all the boxes for the Judges in terms of attention to detail of the restoration, provenance and racing pedigree, making it the clear, outright winner.
Owned by Bruce Lavachek and David Cottingham, the award was particularly moving as it has been a painstaking 40-year journey for Bruce to locate the car and bring it to its now former glory, with the specialist skills of David Cottingham, owner of DK Engineering. The car had in fact languished in a barn in Iowa and had been forgotten about since its last race in 1960. To have the car presented at a worldwide-renowned Concours, let alone with the ultimate Best of Show, is a dream that Bruce never considered could be achieved in his lifetime.”
Amongst the other vehicles which caught my eye was the 1936 Moto-Guzzi 500S with side car, with its beautiful art deco styled side car and wheel arch along with the 1962 Ferrari 400 SuperAmerican LWB Coupe (apparently as seen at Amelia Island Concours) all the same it was lovely to see.
What a fabulous day, I left Oxfordshire on a high of all things shiny, glittery and chrome.
This article first appeared on Lovecars.com
2016’s Chubb Insurance Concours d’Elégance results
AUTOMOBILES
Best in show
1956 – Ferrari 500 Testa Rossa
People’s Choice
1954 – Maserati A6 GCS Berlinetta
CLASS A – Exceptional Motorcycles 1900-1939
Winner: 1938 – BSA Gold Star
Runner up: 1932 – Brough Superior SS100
CLASS B – Exceptional Motorcycles 1940-1975 – Competition
Winner: 1966 – BSA 500 MX GP Titanium
Runner up: 1953 – Matchless G45
CLASS C – Exceptional Motorcycles 1940-1975 – Highway
Winner: 1969 – Honda CB750
Runner up: 1958 – Velocette Venom
CLASS D – Pre-war Coachwork
Winner: 1934 – Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental
Runner up: 1933 – Aston Martin Le Mans Short Chassis
CLASS E – Racing Improves the Breed
Winner: 1956 – Ferrari 500 Testa Rossa
Runner up: 1954 – Maserati A6 GCS Berlinetta
CLASS F – The Great V12 Ferraris
Winner: 1953 – Ferrari 250 Europa Short Chassis Prototype
Runner up: 1971 – Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona
CLASS G – Porsche Racing Pedigree
Winner: 1974 Porsche 911 3.0RS
Runner up: 1969 – Porsche 911
CLASS H – European Grand Tourers
Winner: 1972 – Dino 246 GT
Runner up: 1971 – Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona
CLASS I – Gone With The Wind
Winner: 1971 – Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spider
Runner up: 1961 – Bentley S2 Drophead Coupé
CLASS J – Dream Machines
Winner: 1992 – Ferrari F40
Runner up: 1987 – Lamborghini Countach 5000QV
CLASS K – 50 years of the Lamborghini Miura
Winner: Lamborghini Miura P400 SV (Adrian Labi A&A Premier Classic)
Runner up: Lamborghini Miura P400 SV (William Heinecke)
Special Awards
Most Original pre-war: 1933 Aston Martin Le Mans Short Chassis
Most Original Post-war: 1992 Ferrari F40
Most Sensitive Restoration: 1966 Iso Grifo
Most Elegant: 1956 Bentley S1 Continental Park Ward Drophead Coupé
Most Iconic: 1973 Lamborghini Countach LP 400 Periscopio
Most Exciting Design: 1957 Jaguar XKSS
Best Interior: 1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona
Most Exciting Recreation: 1922 Voisin C3 Strasbourg
MOTORCYCLES
Most Original Motorcycle: 1936 Norton Model 50
Most Superlative Motorcycle: 1936 Moto Guzzi 500S
Most Interesting Motorcycle: 1917 Matchless-Vickers 8B2/M Russian Military Motorcycle Combination
