Blenheim Palace is mostly known in the popular imagination as the birthplace of Winston Churchill, that larger-than-life defender of the realm. But this venue also hosts the annual Salon Privé Concours, now enjoying its 21st consecutive year, and I just so happened to be in the London / Oxfordshire area to catch the closing Sunday proceedings. So here are a few photos from one of the UK’s premiere automotive events.i Indeed, it was every bit as elegant as a British garden party should be, and the 26°C temperature and gentle sunshine made for a brilliant close to summer. Hope you enjoy this exceptional selection of exotic hardware, including Bugatti Bolide, Pagani Utopia, Lambo Miura S, Ferrari 812 Comp, Aston Martin Valhalla, Porsche 918 Coupé, Lexus LFA, Brabus Bodo, Kimera 037, and many more:
Just the tip…
This is actually the overflow parking in the back
Zagato left, still overflow
7.3L NA V12, but also some of the finest rear aluminum bodywork anywhere. The rear bumper and fenders are a single piece!
Black isn’t the best CGT colour
Black LFA had a fairly large scuff from the front passenger fender. Ouch but surely it’ll buff out?
White LFA with chrome wheels was pristine. Also cooler than egg in foreground.
Buy a Veyron now while you still can, they’re going to Pagani levels soon enough.
Speaking of Utopias…
Bolide
Jaw, meet floor
Piech’s 918 fixed-roof *Coupé*
Should really be badged as such.
Sián, not Sían.
Lordy what proportions. Golden ages really are briefer than we commonly admit. Think 5 years max for art and design, maybe 20 years for architecture.
Go faster.
What would Mr. C think of the German’s peoples’ car on his lawn? On a more personal note, this is what my father drove me to kindergarten in… at -20C with barely a heater to speak of.
RUF CRT3, from the 21st century golden age.
Brown dudes really love their bugs around here. “Gurdev Collection” indeed.
Rev SV looks *much* stronger and more aggressive in-person. Looks like only a mild update in photos but the rear wing is very healthy, while still leaving room for SVJ down the road.
Brabus Bodo, Aston-based and far from the worst way to spend $1.5mn.
Hammond’s so small in-person that I couldn’t even find him.
His booze was hiding behind this bug, however.
Tasted mid, not even as good as Maker’s Mark.
Some kind of road-going “Talos” 599XX, would probably look good in white in Tokyo but that’s about it.
Viola Hong Kong 812 Comp “street parked” outside, despite being worth as much as most of the hypercars cordoned off inside.
Hand-painted shields… it pains me so much to (slowly) admit how much specs matter today.
Speaking of, not the best spec Speciale in the world… but most of them suck since 250-LM livery isn’t a standard option. 296 design needs the retro stripe to work imo.
In more humble and elegant specs.
My boys! What a lineup, aging so well, not even so porky anymore.
Something for everyone.
Kimera is a fantastic size, weird Aston thingy is forgettable.
But Valhalla is genius imo. First saw one at Toronto Auto Show and the impact remains. Fills a big gap in the marketplace… with panache!
Ravage right… winning mods on a lovely and right-sized platform.
Peer through the windows to see Mr. C’s cradle.
Views for days.
Gardens, rivers.
I doubt it… but ya never know?
- It was between this and Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace, which I later found out had Chris Harris judging some of the awards. Oh well, can’t be everywhere. ↩