Salon Privé, the luxury super car show held for the second year at the exclusive Hurlingham Club in London drew to a close last Friday evening after a spectacular three days and three nights. The lavish event was attended by a slew of who’s who including Jay Kay, Jodie Kidd, Austin Healey, Mike Catt, Matt Stevens, Cozmo Jenks, Henry Brett, Lara Cazalet, Alain de Cadenet, Emma Parker-Bowles, Lord Jeffrey Archer, Mark Dunhill and Ron Dennis CBE.

Held from Wednesday 11 July to Friday 13 July, the event culminated in the announcement of the results of the Concours d’Élégance at the Finale Dinner. Jay Kay’s stunning black Maserati A6 G2000 Gran Turismo (1955) won the overall Grand Prix in the Concours d’Élégance, as well as the prize for best GT. Speaking after the awards, Jay Kay said “I don’t feel like I deserve this. I didn’t make it - I just drive the pretty girl!” He was awarded his prizes by Concours Head Judge and renowned racing driver, Alain de Cadenet and supermodel Jodie Kidd.

This year’s Salon Privé was a resounding success. All the major super car manufacturers, including Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Aston Martin and Bugatti, had their latest models on show, as did a number of more ‘exotic’ super car marques such as Spyker, Koenigsegg, Ascari, Weismann and Gumpert. One car which created a lot of excitement was the new Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster, on display for only the second time in the UK.

The Italian sportscar makers took up the centre stage during this second edition of the event which excudes a 'garden party' atmosphere, with Ferrari GB's display best positioned, and lining up with the F430, F430 Challenge racer, 599 GTB Fiorano and 612 Scaglietti in 'Police' colours, under majestic trees at the entrance to the immaculate, rolling gardens.
 

Meanwhile, Lamborghini brought the aggressive new lightweight and more powerful Gallardo Superleggera and Maserati showed up with the attractive new GranTurismo, both cars fresh from their Goodwood Festival of Speed appearances. Historic Italian cars were also on show and included the Ferrari F40, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the very rare 288 GTO, Lamborghini Miura and the Salon Privé concours-winning Maserati A6 G2000; while evocative 'Prancing Horse' racing machinery was represented by the distinctive blue 'Pilot' liveried F40LM which has two Le Mans appearances to its name, and an F310B a chassis that Michael Schumacher raced to victory in the 1997 Japanese Grand Prix.

Other event highlights included an audience with Ron Dennis, the live auction by Lord Jeffrey Archer, an interactive Q&A session with members of the English Rugby team including Matt Stevens, Mike Catt, Austin Healey and Jason Leonard. On the final night, Jay Kay (after being awarded his trophies) spontaneously donated a priceless, signed 1:4 model of his Ferrari. Organiser David Bagley commented, “It has been a stunning year for Salon Privé. While the weather had us on the edge of our seats several times, I think all who attended had a great time. We’re already looking forward to doing it all again next year.”