The Concours de Vente at Salon Privé London already includes automotive greats such as the Barnato-Hassan Bentley racer, a Mille Miglia class-winning OSCA MT4 and the UK’s first Ferrari Daytona – and more mouth-watering machinery has now been confirmed for the inaugural running of the event from 21-23 April.

From its nearby premises in Kensington, Fiskens will be bringing two highly original but very different cars. The 1936 Delahaye 135 CS that it will be presenting at Salon Privé London was delivered new to chocolatier Jacques Menier and driven for him throughout 1936 by Philippe Maillard-Brune. It raced in all of that year’s premier French events – the GP de l’Automobile Club de France, the GP de la Marne, and the 3 Heures de Marseille – and had an entry for the Le Mans 24 Hours before that race was cancelled.

The 3.6-litre six-cylinder beauty was acquired by René Cotton following World War Two and began a remarkable second racing life, successfully competing against much more modern machinery. It finished eighth in the 1952 Monaco Grand Prix – run for sports cars that year – and was also entered for such high-profile events as the Mille Miglia and the Liège-Rome-Liège Rally.

One of few surviving examples of the 135 CS, the car still wears its original coachwork and is believed to be the only 135 CS that retains its original Electron gearbox. In recent years, it has been meticulously cared for by renowned collectors such as Abba Kogan and Lord Bamford.

Fiskens will also be showcasing a 1961 Bentley S2 Continental in untouched time-warp condition. It was ordered new by Ernest Scragg & Sons, the Managing Director of which was Phil Scragg – the well-known racing driver and hillclimb specialist. The Bentley was kept in the collection of Ray and Doreen Fielding for more than 50 years and still wears its original paint – a unique and striking combination of Whitehall Grey over Rose Beige.

Tom Hartley, meanwhile, will be entering the Concours de Vente with a rare 1960 Ferrari 250 GT Pinin Farina Cabriolet. As one of only 200 Series II examples to leave the Maranello factory, it combined elegantly restrained coachwork by Turin design house Pinin Farina with Ferrari’s latest developments for its fabled 250 GT bloodline – including all-round disc brakes and the ‘outside spark plug’ Tipo 128F variant of the 3-litre Colombo V12 engine.  

The car was recently owned by a British-based marque enthusiast and was fully restored in 2018, and has been awarded the coveted Ferrari Classiche Certification.

In 1961, Jaguar managed to steal much of the automotive limelight from the likes of Ferrari with its sensational 150mph E-type. Designed by aerodynamicist Malcolm Sayer, the E-type was a true landmark in motoring history and was developed around the same principles as the Le Mans-winning D-type.

The earliest ‘flat floor’ E-types are considered to be the most collectable, and Simon Drabble will be entering the Concours de Vente with just such an example. Built in December 1961, the matching-numbers Roadster is presented in its original livery of Cream with a Red interior, and has recently undergone a full restoration.

DK Engineering will take part in the Concours de Vente with the unique AC MA-200 prototype. Penned by ex-MIG aircraft engineer Zdislaw Teofil Marzewski in 1962, it featured an aluminium body covering a spaceframe chassis. F1-style inboard coil-spring suspension was fitted and the car received inboard rear discs, while its design drew comparisons with the Frua-bodied Maserati Mistral of the same year. It was intended for series production, but Shelby America’s overwhelming demand for the AC Ace meant that the project was shelved.

The current custodian acquired the car in 2006 and has meticulously researched its history, with the result that the car is supplied with a wealth of factory drawings and blueprints. Having been restored to ‘as new’ specification, the MA-200 has received numerous accolades, including Best in Class award at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, plus top honours at the 36th Concours d’Elegance of America.

The list of specialists confirmed be battling it out for the inaugural Prix d’Honneur at Royal Hospital Chelsea includes:

• Barkaways
• Classic Motor Hub
• Collecting Cars
• DD Classics
• DK Engineering
• DT Vintage
• Dylan Miles Ltd
• Fiskens
• Girardo & Co
• Graeme Hunt
• Hendon Way Motors
• Hofmann’s Henley
• Howard Wise
• Jeremy Cottingham
• Joe Macari
• Richards of England
• RM Sotheby’s
• RS Williams Ltd
• Simon Drabble
• Simon Furlonger Specialist Cars Ltd
• The Octane Collection
• Tom Hartley
• Vintage Bentley
• Will Stone Historic Cars
  
  

As befitting Salon Privé’s status as one of the world’s most prestigious automotive events, eleven cars will be making their global, European or UK debut at Royal Hospital Chelsea. The very latest models from the likes of Alpine, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Genesis, Jaguar Land Rover SVO, Lamborghini, Pininfarina, Porsche and Rolls-Royce will be on display alongside Morgan Motor Company, as well as the latest machinery from Harley-Davidson and Indian Motorcycles. These will be joined by British specialists Charge Cars, Envisage, Everrati, Jensen Automotive and Overfinch, to provide a line-up that covers everything from reimagined classics to next generation hypercars and EVs.

Salon Privé London promises to be one of the UK’s most exclusive parties, with plenty to see and do in addition to the motoring attractions. The shopping village will host luxury fashion brands including renowned British jewellery designer Boodles. Everything from Patek Philippe watches to Riva motor boats and Bell helicopters will be on offer, as will the first-class hospitality for which Salon Privé has long been renowned. Pommery Champagne will flow and London Essence cocktail bars will offer exciting cocktails from NoMad, Louie and the Donovan Bar mixologists. 

To complement this, Salon Privé has partnered with renowned and innovative hospitality group JKS Restaurants to provide guests with a unique dining offering. This will include dishes from the Michelin-starred Gymkhana, Indian BBQ classics by Brigadiers, and cult Taiwanese specialists BAO. In addition, there will be plates from Fitzrovia’s The George and Chelsea’s The Cadogan Arms, providing pub fare that celebrates the best of British produce, making Salon Privé London a real foodie’s delight.

There’s also the option to enjoy a sumptuous three-course seated luncheon in The Sloane – the event’s exclusive VIP Hospitality Pavilion – while DJs will keep guests entertained into the evening. On the Thursday and Friday, Salon Privé London will be open until 9pm, allowing everyone to soak up the party atmosphere as dusk falls.