Words: Nathan Chadwick | Photos: Salon Privé London Concours de Vente
Salon Privé London Concours de Vente returns to Royal Hospital Chelsea between April 20 and 22, 2023, promising an even bigger and better show than its first impressive outing last year. The concours is innovative in that all of the cars on display are for sale, whether they be classics or brand-new luxury vehicles. There are several classes: up to £250,000, between £250,000 and £1 million, and over £1 million. Awards include Best in Class prizes and the ultimate Prix d’Honneur, otherwise known as Best in Show.
The latest cars confirmed to be in attendance include a Ferrari F40 first owned by sports car racer Thomas Sopwith; it’s one of just 78 original UK-market F40s. It’s being displayed by Furlonger Specialist Cars alongside a Ferrari F50.
Phoenix Green Garage, meanwhile, will be bringing along a Zagato-bodied 1929 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Super Sport that was originally imported into the UK in 1948. It was acquired by Michael Hirst in 1961, who would own it until his death in 2021. On a similarly Italian theme, Graeme Hunt will be displaying a freshly restored (at a cost of €150,000) 1966 Maserati Sebring originally bought by Peter Sellers for his son; it’s covered just 250km since the restoration’s completion.
Away from the Italians, there’ll be a chance to see one of 52 Jaguar XKR-15s ever made, which was driven by Juan Manuel Fangio II and John Watson in the 1991 Jaguar Intercontinental Challenge. Silverstone Auctions, meanwhile, will be bringing along a 1954 Bentley R-type Fastback Continental with HJ Mulliner bodywork, which has been treated to a P&A Wood restoration.
The Classic Motor Hub is exhibiting a 1961 Maserati 3500GT Vignale Spyder, one of just five built in right-hand-drive form. Originally sold to an Englishman living in Genoa, Italy, it first came to the UK in 1969. The Hub will also be bringing along a 1965 Aston Martin DB5 Convertible, one of just 123 built. Its first owner was Lionel Frank, shirtmaker for Bond actors Sean Connery, George Lazenby and Roger Moore.
Howard Wise, meanwhile, is taking an original, one-owner, right-hand-drive 1972 Ferrari Dino 246GT finished in rare Bianco Polo white. The dealer will also show a right-hand-drive 1968 Mercedes-Benz 280SL Pagoda that’s been in the same family ownership since new, and is currently in unrestored condition. Keeping to the German theme, Export 56 will be bringing along a Porsche 914/6 GT competition car – among the first Factory Werks test cars. It’s one of just 12 914/6s built by the factory racing department, and has had just three owners during its lifetime.
Car Iconics is bringing an ex-Mohamed Al-Fayed 1977 Ferrari 512BB. Finished in Argento Silver, this UK-supplied car has recently had a major service and cambelt change. Joe Macari will be showing a historic rally-prepared 1953 Alfa Romeo 1900C. One of just 100 built by Pininfarina, it was originally part of the Mario Rishini collection and restored in the early 2010s in preparation for the 2015 Mille Miglia Storico. It’s one of just nine right-hand-drive examples known to still exist. Joe Macari will also be showing an original UK-market Ferrari 275GTB/6C; it’s among just six right-hand-drive, six-carburettor, alloy-bodied 275GTBs, and one of only two delivered new to the UK.
Hendon Way Motors is to exhibit one of 44 AC Cobra Lightweights; built in 1991 by AutoKraft, it’s powered by an SVO high-performance V8 with Holley carburettors, and has covered just 2701 miles. Meanwhile, the Aston Workshop will be displaying a 1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 Vignale originally specified by King Baudouin of Belgium, which has recently been fully restored by Aston Workshop. Just 12 LHD DB2/4 rolling chassis were delivered to Italian and Swiss coachbuilders, and this is one of two bodied by Vignale and the only one to survive.
Barkaways will be bringing along a 1977 Ferrari 308GTB that’s covered just over 11,000 miles and was extensively restored by the specialist back in 2014, and Simon Drabble Cars will be bringing along a 1967 Lamborghini Miura P400 that’s been upgraded to S specification. The 23rd Miura ever built, it called Italy, the US and France home before coming to the UK in 2013.
Other dealers will include Hilton & Moss, RS Williams, Collecting Cars, JD Classics and more.
The event isn’t just about classics, of course – there will be plenty of new metal (and carbonfibre) on display, with several UK public debuts. Wiesmann will be showing off Project Thunderball, a 680hp hyper-performance EV, while Abarth will be displaying its new 500e Scorpionissima EV sports city car. Keeping to the EV theme, Genesis will be displaying its GV60 luxury SUV, and there’ll be plenty of surprises, too.
Lamborghini is using the event to give its Huracán Sterrato its UK public debut – just 1499 of this 44mm-higher, 30-34mm-wider off-road-orientated hypercar will be made. There’s also a rare opportunity to see the 1817bhp Venom F5 Roadster up close; designed to exceed 300mph, just 30 are due to be built. Theon Design, meanwhile, will showcase its first Italian commission at Salon Privé London 2023. Based on a Porsche 964 Carrera 4, it has an original 993 RS six-speed gearbox and limited-slip differential, 993 RS brakes hiding behind 18-inch Fuchs alloy wheels, and weighs 1152kg. It’s powered by a 400bhp 4.0-litre flat-six.
Away from the cars, there will be a luxury shopping village featuring brands such Boodles and watches from Montblanc, and there will be a three-course lunch, Pommery Champagne, cocktails from the London Essence Co and fine wines from Chateau La Gordonne. More details are available here.
