Now in its 11th year and firmly established as the UK’s most prestigious classic car competition, this year’s Chubb Insurance Concours d’Elégance, which opens on Thursday 1st September at Blenheim Palace, will showcase an awe-inspiring collection of some of the rarest and most valuable classic cars and motorcycles. Highly respected classic car expert and auctioneer, Max Girardo, will be hosting the Chubb Insurance Concours d’Elégance for the first time.
Entries confirmed in the 65-car strong line-up include the stunning Pininfarina-bodied 1954 Maserati A6 GCS Berlinetta, the third of just four cars built and the only one remaining in completely authentic, original condition. This particular car, which was exhibited at the Autosalon Paris in 1954 and competed in the Mille Miglia the following year, was awarded Best of Show earlier this year at Concorso d’Eleganza, Villa D’Este.
BMW UK will enter the Wind in your Hair class with its stunning, fully restored 1957 BMW 507 roadster, which currently resides in its heritage fleet. The car has been meticulously restored and retains most of its original features, including matching hard-top, which was sourced at great cost since all the hand-built hard-tops were paired with each car at the factory.
The Salon Privé organisers are thrilled to announce that classic car expert and accomplished auctioneer Max Girardo will be overseeing the event acting as Master of Ceremonies, alongside five-times Le Mans legend, Derek Bell MBE who remains as Chief Judge. Max, who has over two decades’ experience in the classic car industry, most recently founding his own West London-based dealership, Girardo & Co., will be introducing 65 extremely rare cars and 20 exceptional motorbikes to enthusiasts and guests attending the annual Chubb Insurance Concours d’Elégance competition.
“I am delighted to be involved with Salon Privé this year,” said Master of Ceremonies for 2016, Max Girardo. “Over the past decade Salon Privé has established itself as one of the world’s leading concours and specialist car events, and there is some stunning machinery on show at Blenheim Palace this September. It’s a genuine honour to be asked to present the concours cars on judging day, particularly given the exceptional quality on display. Cars like the Villa d’Este-winning Maserati A6 GCS and the Ferrari 500 TR Spyder are amongst the finest cars to be shown anywhere in the world.”
Among other confirmed entries in this year’s event, is a beautiful 1971 Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spider. With less than 10% of all of the V12-powered Ferrari 365 Daytonas leaving the Maranello factory gates as Spider variants, the Daytona Spider is a rare car to be seen publicly, especially in its recently restored condition.
The Spider on display at next month’s event is a one-of-eighteen European-specification left-hand-drive example. Delivered new in Italy, the car spent a vast amount of its time in America, as it was sold by North American Racing Team founder and Ferrari dealer Luigi Chinetti. It now resides in Europe, having been owned by The Honourable Nathaniel Rothschild in Switzerland and currently completes part of the Fica Frio collection.
A full list of entries will be announced shortly.
Tickets for Salon Privé 2016 are on sale now: www.salonpriveconcours.com
