• Top-end Ferrari America models created for the lucrative post-war American market
• All designed as V12, front-engined grand tourers, built between 1950 – 1957
• Two of the six 342 Americas including unique one-off Vignale Cabriolet
• End of the line 500 Superfast – one of thirty-six made
• Pininfarina-bodied 365 California – one of fourteen made

Windsor, 27^th August 2019. When Enzo Ferrari began producing exciting and stylish sports cars under his own name and famous ‘prancing horse’ logo in the late 1940s, he immediately identified the United States as a key potential and profitable market, creating some models specifically for his new affluent American clients.

Four exceptional examples of these rare, beautiful, collectable and highly-prized American-inspired Ferraris will grace the grounds of Blenheim Palace with a dedicated ‘Ferrari Americas’ class in this year’s Salon Privé Concours d’Elégance by Chubb Insurance.

To help whet the appetite of all automotive enthusiasts and ‘Tifosi’ ahead of their display at Salon Privé, the quartet of American-influenced Ferraris will consist of a pair of early 1950s 342 Americas, plus a mid-1960s Ferrari 500 Superfast and 365 California Spider.

At the time of production, the 342 America was Ferrari’s top-end grand touring model, and the forerunner to the 375 America series, the ultra-luxurious and powerful GTs for Ferrari’s wealthiest and most prestigious customers.

Only six 342 Americas were built, Salon Privé gathering two together; one being the first of only three cabriolets made – and the only one bodied by Carrozzeria Vignale – with the second example being the 1953 Geneva Motor Show car, which was built to be used as a rally car (being entered into the Rallye Soleil-Cannes) with a high performance engine, an extra-large fuel tank, and even a rally timer!

Fast forward to the mid-1960s and examples of Ferrari’s rare and luxurious 500 Superfast flagship coupé being presented at Salon Privé were bought by the elite ‘Jet Set’ and celebrities, contemporary owners of the Superfast included Peter Sellers, The Aga Khan, Gunter Sachs and the Shah of Persia. The 500 Superfast at Salon Privé will be the very last of just 36 examples built, and one of only two ‘Series 2’ RHD cars made.

Finishing off the extraordinary quartet of ‘Ferrari Americas’ appearing at Salon Privé will be a 1967 365 California Spider delivered new to Luigi Chinetti Motors in the USA; this car being one of an elite group of only 14 examples produced between 1966 and 1967. As a total package, the 365 California was designed to appeal to Ferrari’s premium customers who demanded a more exclusive and striking style of grand touring coachwork.

These four Ferraris will join other classic examples of Maranello’s finest models, as well as the rarest models from 18 other marques, all participating in the 2019 Salon Privé Concours d’Elégance by Chubb Insurance at Blenheim Palace on Thursday 5^th September.

Salon Privé Concours Chairman, Andrew Bagley commented, “Built during the 50s and 60s for the US market, the Ferrari Americas are a collection of the most desirable V12 models, and we’re thrilled to be presenting 4 of them at this year’s Salon Privé Concours d’Elégance by Chubb Insurance. All built as top-end Grand Tourers with the largest V12 engines, they represent some of the rarest models ever to come out of Maranello.”

For more information about tickets, please visit the website: https://www.salonpriveconcours.com/classic-and-supercar/

NOTES:

Salon Privé showcases a globally-recognised Concours d’Elégance and a single-marque celebration which this year honours Bentley’s Centenary. The ‘Salon Privé Concours d’Elégance by Chubb Insurance’ on Thursday 5^th September comprises 55 eclectic historic cars along with 20 exceptional motorcycles, whilst the ‘Bentley Masters by Chubb Insurance, Pirelli & Lockton Private Clients’ featuring 50 of the rarest Bentleys from around the world celebrates the marque’s 100^thAnniversary on Saturday 7^th September. ‘Salon Privé Ladies’ Day by Boodles’, a highlight on the social calendar, sits between the two on Friday 6^th September. The newly formed ‘Salon Privé Classic & Supercar’ now becomes our finale day for the public on Sunday 6^th September when more than 1,000 Bentleys will gather in celebration, courtesy of the Bentley Drivers Club.

 

 

PIRELLI ALL SET FOR SALON PRIVÉ

Windsor, 27^th August 2019 – Italian tyre manufacturer Pirelli will once again take centre stage at the most exclusive motor show in Britain: Salon Privé.

Half motor show, half-garden party, this prestige event takes place each year in the grounds of Blenheim Palace: the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill in Oxfordshire.

Salon Privé is now in its 14^th year, with Pirelli supporting the event as sponsor for the last five years. From September 5^th– 8^th, some of the most rare, exquisite and prestigious classic cars from around the world will form the centrepiece of the show. The annual event is a highlight of the year for some of the most luxurious and renowned automotive manufacturers out there, displaying their latest automotive offerings with both static exhibitions and moving demonstrations.

Pirelli will also have a prominent presence in the grounds of Blenheim Palace on the first weekend of September, offering quintessential Italian treats in its own lounge area.

The Salon Privé Concours d’Elégance by Chubb Insurance opens the prestigious event on Thursday 5^th September when, by invitation only, the most sought-after classic cars and motorcycles are displayed and scrutinised in detail by a committee of internationally-recognised judges.

An impressive line-up of modern-day supercars, hypercars and classic cars then provide the perfect backdrop for Friday’s Salon Privé Ladies’ Day by Boodles, before the weekend gets underway.

Celebrating 100 years of Bentley
Saturday and Sunday take in a celebration of all things Bentley, as part of the prestigious marque’s centenary. Pirelli has been working with the Crewe-based carmaker for decades, delivering a unique combination of performance and comfort to a variety of car models. The very first Mulsanne was fitted with low profile Pirelli tyres, while the Bentley Continental GT was shod with the asymmetric Pirelli P Zero. The timeless Arnage also received its own specifically developed P Zero Rosso tyres when new.

In 2018, a Pirelli-equipped Bentley Bentayga broke the SUV record at the celebrated Pikes Peak hill climb in Colorado, slashing the previous record by almost two minutes and cementing the Bentayga’s reputation as the fastest SUV in the world. For 2019, Bentley and Pirelli returned to the renowned hill climb with a new challenge: to break the outright production car record. The P Zero-equipped Continental GT covered the 156 corners in 10m18.488s, to set yet another fresh benchmark.

Pirelli also shares Bentley’s motorsport activities with the Continental GT3 that recently took a commanding victory in the 2019 Blancpain GT Series 1000km of Paul Ricard – one of the most prestigious GT3 races in Europe.

Track Adrenaline warms up for the UK
Salon Privé will host the UK launch of Pirelli’s Track Adrenaline product, for those who like to put their supercars through their paces on the track. Track Adrenaline is a new track day tool for track day users, gentleman drivers and driving schools, which manages to time laps while also serving as a real time tyre pressure and temperature monitoring system. Track Adrenaline consists of an electronic box that can easily be fitted to a car, which is linked to the Track Adrenaline smartphone app and P Zero Trofeo R tyres with sensors inside. The Track Adrenaline box is also equipped with a powerful GPS unit, which guarantees precise geolocation and definition of racing lines, as well as timing. It opens up new frontiers in track day technology.

The P Zero UK Experience
P Zero Experience is an exclusive track-based event that Pirelli reserves for its customers, but it is far from a traditional track day. Having started in Italy in 2009, the P Zero Experience will be launching in the UK for the first time, with details of the exclusive programme made available at Salon Privé.

P Zero Experience is an event designed to give supercar enthusiasts and collectors a true experience of the world of Pirelli. The events take place at exclusive racing venues around the world, in a style that only Pirelli knows how to deliver.

Five-star hospitality, an open pit lane with assistance from Pirelli’s world-class technicians and engineers, as well as spine-tingling circuit action: what more could the ultimate track day involve?

Dominic Sandivasci, Pirelli UK Chairman and CEO, commented: “The jaw-dropping selection of prestigious and rare cars on display in the grounds of Blenheim Palace never ceases to amaze me. Salon Privé is a highlight of the year for Pirelli in the UK, fitting in perfectly with our brand values of technology, performance and style. We’re very excited to enter our fifth year supporting Salon Privé, which is made even more special this time with our launch of a ground-breaking technology product and a very exciting Pirelli track-based programme here in the UK.” 

Salon Privé Chairman, Andrew Bagley added, “We are thrilled to be hosting the launch of such an exciting new technological product from Pirelli. Track Adrenaline is an exciting and innovative new track day tool that will really allow drivers to harness their skills and improve their driving ability by monitoring the data captured whilst out on the track. This is the 5^th year that Pirelli have been a sponsor at Salon Privé and we look forward to welcoming them back to the spectacular lawns of Blenheim this year.”

 

AUTOMOBILI PININFARINA DEBUT ENHANCED BATTISTA AT SALON PRIVÉ

• UK debut of stunning Battista – the most powerful car designed and built in Italy
• Features design detail enhancements following aerodynamic testing
• A maximum of 150 Battistas to be built
• Powered by 120 kWh battery providing power to four electric motors (one at each wheel) for combined power output of 1,900 hp and 1,696 lb/ft torque

Wednesday 21^st August: Advanced EV and hybrid technology are certainly at the forefront of this year’s Salon Privé with a selection of international hypercar brands all debuting new cars to the UK market.

One such brand and currently returning from a fabulous series of unveilings during Monterey Car Week, is Automobili Pininfarina, who are now preparing to launch their stunning and enhanced Battista at this year’s Salon Privé which takes place at Blenheim Palace from 5^th – 8^th September.

Having been launched to an eagerly-awaiting world at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year and delivering on the Pininfarina family dream to see a range of luxury cars purely badged Pininfarina, Automobili Pininfarina then embarked on the next phase of simulation testing in the wind tunnel and on the track under the guidance of ex-Formula 1 and Formula E racer, Nick Heidfeld, their Development Driver. From a design perspective, the result of the development programme was a car with a redefined front which reinforced its hypercar look and feel and created a greater visual connection between front and back.

With 1,900 hp and 1,696 lb-ft torque available from its four electric motors, Automobili Pininfarina is aiming for a 0-62 mph sprint of less than 2 seconds for the Battista along with a single-charge range of 500 kilometers. Essentially, it’s a hypercar on one hand and an eminently driveable and beautiful luxury car on the other. With a maximum of just 150 examples being made, it will be ultra-exclusive. Just 50 Battistas are planned for Europe, 50 targeted at North America and 50 to the Middle East and Asia and the €2m hypercar will only be available to order through a small network of specialist luxury car and hypercar retailers.

Commenting on the forthcoming debut appearance of the new Battista, Salon Privé Co-Founder & Sales Director, David Bagley, said“I wholly concur with Pininfarina S.p.A Chairman, Paolo Pininfarina when he referred to the Battista as a work of art. It is just that – stunningly beautiful and elegant from every angle and yet its poise is true hypercar – low, wide and purposeful. With power and luxury to match, it is as they say a new reality for electric car desirability, and we are thrilled to be welcoming Automobili Pininfarina and Battista to this year’s Salon Privé.”

Michael Perschke, CEO Automobili Pininfarina said “Salon Privé is the perfect event at which to present the Battista in its most recent design form. The event is renowned for attracting true enthusiasts and car collectors who appreciate both automotive engineering and automotive beauty, and the Battista stands alone in presenting the perfect combination of both. With 89 years of Pininfarina heritage informing its design and a clear vision for the performance and drama that pure electrification can offer, Automobili Pininfarina looks forward to revealing the latest Battista for the first time in the UK”.

 

CLASSIC CARS, SUPER CARS, HYPER CARS & FLYING CARS -SALON PRIVÉ 2019 HAS THEM ALL!

• 21 Automotive brands & 11 Classic Specialists confirmed to present spectacular collection
• International participation grows with 10 countries represented
• 7 UK debuts & 1 World debut
• Daily Parades & Test-Drive opportunities
• Four-day Automotive spectacle brings Best of the Best to the beautifully manicured lawns of ‘Britain’s Greatest Palace’ Blenheim Palace.

Windsor, 15^th August 2019. With final preparations now in full swing, brothers Andrew & David Bagley have a clear message – “Get set for the greatest Salon Privé ever!” A Garden Party it may be, but to the prestige & luxury automotive sectors, it has become an absolute must-attend event; a place where they can go and entertain existing customers, meet new buyers and rub shoulders with some of the world’s most prolific car collectors and buyers. For 4 days in early September, Blenheim Palace along with neighbouring Woodstock reverberates to the sound of V8s & V12s as they parade through the Palace grounds and local countryside. Salon Privé has become THE event for collectors, buyers, members’ clubs and enthusiasts and thanks to the newly launched Salon Privé Classic & Supercar on Sunday 8^th September which incorporates the Lockton Club Trophy, it now has a more affordable public day option for the whole family to enjoy.

Austria, Australia, Croatia, Dubai, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Slovenia and the UK will all be flying their flags at this year’s event proudly displaying their latest creations and with the event now sold out, confirmed automotive brands are as follows: Alpine, Aston Martin, Ateliers Diva, Austro Daimler, Bentley, Brabham Automotive, Dallara, Ferrari, Jannarelly, Lamborghini, Maserati, McLaren, Pagani, PAL-V, Automobili Pininfarina, Puritalia Automobili, Rimac Automobili, Tushek and W Motors. This list equates to tens of thousands of normally aspirated, hybrid and fully electric BHP! 0-60mph in the low to mid 2 seconds is not an uncommon statistic on the lawn this year with one car, the Rimac C_Two, officially the fastest accelerating car in the world, managing it in just 1.85 seconds! Top speeds of 200mph plus are commonplace amongst the majority of these brands with even the SUVs not far off that figure.

Not to be outdone by the debuts, other manufacturers will be showcasing their latest models, with the Alpine A110S, Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Volante, Bentley GTC V8 and Flying Spur, Ferrari 812 Superfast and Portofino, Lamborghini EVO Spyder and Coupe, Maserati V8 Levante Trofeo, McLaren GT and Porsche 992 Carrera 4S all on the lawn.

Commenting on the extraordinary line-up of brands, Salon Privé Co-Founder & Sales Director David Bagley commented: “The diversity and origins of manufacturers attending this year is testimony to how important Salon Privé has become to the premium automotive sector, not just in the UK, but around the world. It really is a great privilege for us to host so many important debuts in one year. No other event brings manufacturers and buyers together in such a relaxing and convivial environment, and this is what sets us apart.”

 

• Less than 150 examples built in last 20 years
• 5 models on display from early C12 through to 760 Oliver Edition
• All powered by hand-built, mid-mounted Mercedes-AMG V12 ranging in size from 6 to 7.3 Litres
• Rinascimento program enables owners to restore their Zonda models to the original specification with factory certification
• Power ranging from 444 bhp to 789 bhp

Windsor 6^th August: First launched 20 years to great acclaim at the 1999 Geneva Motor Show, Pagani Automobili S.p.A. was a new name on the exotica scene with an amazing debut model; the breath-taking Zonda hypercar. The Zonda was originally to be called ‘Fangio F1’ after Formula One Champion, Juan Manuel Fangio, who assisted with the car’s early development, however, following his death in 1995, it was renamed Zonda, the name given to the hot air current that runs above Argentina.

From the very first 1999 Zonda C12 to the final incarnation of the Zonda – the £15million Barchetta – less than 150 examples of the model have been built over the last 20 years, split over a dozen or more different derivatives. All have been powered by a mid-mounted V12 engine, handmade by AMG and ranging in size from 6-litres to 7.3-litres, with power ranging from 444 bhp to a thumping 789 bhp enabling that particular model to achieve a top speed of 221 mph (355 km/h) maximum speed. A number of Zondas have now gone through bespoke upgrades to the bodywork and power trains by the Modena-based Pagani works creating a new generation of Zonda.

On display at this year’s Salon Privé will be the following models:

• Zonda C12 (2000): The car that launched the company and Horacio Pagani’s first production supercar. It was an absolute game-changer with its distinctive styling and hand-built Mercedes-AMG 6 Litre V12 engine which then produced 444 bhp, enough to propel the C12 to 60 mph in 4 seconds – quite an achievement back in 1999. The model on display has been through the full Rinascimento

• Zonda F Roadster (2005): The Zonda F (F for Fangio) on display is one of just 25 Roadster examples built. The Zonda F was a substantially re-engineered Zonda, using the hand-crafted 7.3-litre Mercedes-AMG V12, developing 641 bhp. Announced at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show in coupe form (the F Roadster following in 2006), the Zonda F was equipped with extra headlights and different fog lights at the sides, plus new bodywork (revised front end, new rear spoiler and more aerodynamic vents all around) that improved the car’s aerodynamics, as well as different side mirrors. Further enhancements centered on optional carbon/ceramic brakes (measuring 380 mm) and a redesigned “Z preg” weave in the all-carbon fibre crash structure to improve rigidity and reduce weight.

• Zonda Cinque Roadster (2009): As its name suggests, Pagani built just five examples of the Zonda Cinque Roadster which was a 669 bhp road-legal version of the track-only Zonda R. The Zonda Cinque was developed at the request of the Pagani dealer in Hong Kong, with the model intended to be the last iteration of the Zonda. The differences over other Zonda variants were a new three-mode six-speed sequential gearbox, resulting in shifts taking less than 100 milliseconds, dropping the 0–100 km/h (62 mph) acceleration time down to just 3.4 seconds. The Cinque also had a revised form of carbon fibre called “carbo-titanium” which incorporated titanium in the weave to increase strength and rigidity, mated to magnesium and titanium suspension components. It also featured revised bodywork, included a longer front splitter, new side skirts, rear diffuser, bumper canards and a flatter underside, as well as a roof-mounted air intake scoop, enabled the Cinque to generate 750 kg (1,653 lb) of down-force at 355 km/h (221 mph) and 1.45 G of cornering force.

• Zonda Tricolore (2010): Just three Tricolore models were built making it one of the rarest of them all. Originally conceived as a one-off, Horacio Pagani decided to make three as a tribute to the Frecce Tricoloi, Italy’s aerobatic team answer to the British Red Arrows. The Tricolore carried much of the body from the Zonda Cinque, the model being unpainted, except for a clear blue lacquer, and red, white, and green stripes from the nose along the top of the car’s surface. Unique to this car was a small wing placed behind the cockpit which reflected the tail wing of Frecce Tricolori’s Aermacchi MB-339 stunt aircraft. The three Tricolores were priced at £1.2 million when new, but are now worth considerably more, as are all Pagani Zondas.

• Zonda 760 Oliver Edition (2016): An exclusive one-off edition of the Pagani Zonda, the unique 760 ‘Oliver’ model was built in 2016 for one of Pagani’s biggest collectors and was based on the 760 RS model. Unlike other special edition Zondas, this 760 has a uniquely designed rear spoiler and was engineered by one of the world GT champions to generate the maximum downforce to give the ultimate grip on the circuit. The car was tested by the Toyota factory driver and GT500 champion Akira Iida on Fuji Speedway during the Pagani Raduno in Japan, with Mr. Iida commenting that the Zonda Oliver Evolution was the best handling and closest to the Zonda Evolution R road car he had ever driven.

Commenting on the incredible display, Salon Privé Co-Founder & Sales Director David Bagley said “Salon Privé and Pagani Automobili go back a long way. We have welcomed Horacio and his team as well as many owners from the UK and abroad to countless editions of the event – I don’t think I can recall an edition where there wasn’t at least one Pagani on display. In just 20 years, Horacio has created not only an icon but also a benchmark in design, engineering and strategic partnerships and it’s a testimony to Pagani Automobili that many Zonda owners choose not to sell their beloved cars, but instead send them back to the factory to either restore their cars to their original glory through the Rinascimento program or have a unique bespoke upgrade through their dedicated team. Years ago, I recall a conversation with Horacio’s then assistant, who referred to the Zonda as a piece of art and she wasn’t wrong. To this day, the design and detail found in a Pagani is beyond exceptional.”

Commenting on behalf of Pagani UK, Christine Clarkin said, “2019 is a momentous year for Pagani as it marks the 20^th anniversary of when Horacio Pagani’s dream came alive with the unveiling of the iconic Zonda in Geneva.  As the Dealer Principal for Pagani UK I am delighted to bring five spectacular examples of Zonda to the lawns of Salon Privé and to continue our year-long celebrations of this achievement at Blenheim Palace.  Pagani UK are proud to be the only official dealer for Pagani Automobili since 2014 and have the loyalty of our Pagani owners to support this fabulous event year after year.”

 

TRIO OF STUNNING ROYAL CARS TO GRACE BLENHEIM LAWNS AT SALON PRIVÉ

• The very best of British & Italian craftsmanship to showcase at Salon Privé Concours d’Elégance by Chubb Insuranceon Thursday 5^th & Friday 6^th September
• 1912 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost by Barker & Co. owned by the Maharaja of Nabha
• 1953 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith by Hooper & Co. used for the wedding of Prince Rainier of Monaco & Grace Kelly in 1956
• 1954 Ferrari 250 GT Europa owned by Princess Liliana de Rèthy of Belgium.

Windsor, 14^th August 2019. A distinguished pair of coachbuilt Rolls-Royce and a stunning Ferrari, all with documented Royal provenance, will grace the manicured lawns of Blenheim Palace for this year’s spectacular Salon Privé Concours d’Elégance by Chubb Insurance which takes place on Thursday 5th & Friday 6th September.

The first and earliest of the two Rolls-Royces is an imposing open touring-bodied 1912 Silver Ghost, coachbuilt by Barker & Co. of London and fitted with an elaborate Taj Mahal nameplate for its Indian Raj client; the Maharaja of Nabha. This distinctive Silver Ghost has a unique place in Rolls-Royce history, it being the only surviving pre-1914 Indian trials car, with its authentic engine and chassis still carrying its original body. Remarkably, the car has only had two owners since new, with the current custodians having owned her since her return to England in the early 1990s.

The second Rolls-Royce model is a Silver Wraith. In the early 1950s, the Silver Wraith was built and prepared by Rolls-Royce as a drivable chassis, and then dispatched to some of the world’s best coachbuilders where bespoke bodies were designed and fitted. Designed to be one of the most luxurious motor cars in the world, the Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith carried some of the most prestigious passengers of its time, including royals and imperials, plus other wealthy clients such as leading industrialists and Hollywood celebrities. This particular Silver Wraith, chassis WVH74 was built in 1953 as a 4-door Drophead Coupe by London-based Coachbuilder, Hooper & Co. and went on to have the enviable pleasure of carrying not only official Royalty but also Hollywood Royalty as it was the car used by Prince Rainier of Monaco for his wedding to Grace Kelly on 18^th April 1956.

The 1954 Ferrari 250 GT Europa is a very special custom-built example, bodied in aluminum alloy for Princess Liliana de Rèthy, the second wife of His Royal Highness King Leopold II of Belgium. It was the second of five Ferraris that would pass through the Royal household. The Royal couple were apparently very ‘hands-on’ during the design and construction of the car, making several documented visits to Turin to approve drawings, colours, materials and interior treatment. Finished in dark green with tan leather interior and a rare off-white vinyl covered roof, chassis 0359 GT was delivered to Princess Liliana on January 5^th, 1955.

Remarking on the Royal cars entered into next month’s event, Salon Privé’s Concours Chairman, Andrew Bagley said: “It is very exciting to have some truly Royal motorcars taking part in this year’s concours. Each car is exquisite with amazing provenance and I’m sure they harness many untold stories. The breath-taking Blenheim Palace location makes for the perfect and highly appropriate backdrop for these historic and authentic Royal cars.”