The Hurlingham Club once again opened its doors to discerning car enthusiasts for the Salon Privé & Concours d'Elégance international Vintage and Super Car three-day event to which Pukka PR were delighted to have been invited on Opening Day 21 July ‘10.
The exclusive Salon Privé was co-founded and developed by brothers David and Andrew Bagley and is a large scale high-end event now well established in its fifth year. Salon Privé continues to grow in popularity with world class car manufacturers, prestigious sponsors and luxury brands participating each year. Salon Privé events have attracted a wide range of clientele and car owners from various sectors including international corporate clients, car buffs and celebrities. Organiser David Bagley whom I spoke to at the event said he was pleased that tickets had sold "extremely well" for the three day-time events, in fact tickets sold out and there were only limited tickets available for the evening events so the Salon Privé brand has proved to be a winner.
The lawns at Hurlingham made an ideal setting for this type of event and on entering the grounds visitors saw a vintage classic car display with a lively jazz band in full swing nearby creating a nostalgic atmosphere. We marvelled at a stunning collection of vintage Bugatti, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Alfa Romeo and more. Part of the rare vintage collection included a convertible white Panther Six 1977, unique six wheel car and one of only two cars ever made. Pommery champagne was served to guests viewing car displays or people could visit champagne bars on site of which there were several.
A main feature this year was Jaguar celebrating 75 years in existence, a parade of Jaguar cars from past to present featuring rare vintage models were driven around Hurlingham for guests to admire.
Having wandered around a fair bit taking photos and viewing the vintage cars display my mother and I came to rest at a table by the water fountain and met a lovely couple Roger and Valerie visiting from Wiltshire who were also vintage car enthusiasts and were there celebrating Roger's 70th as one of his friends had treated him to a day out at Salon Privé. Lunch was served outdoors and queues had formed for the delicious BBQ of meat skewers, lobster and salads with strawberries and cream for dessert a classic British summer fruity favourite.
After a relaxing meal we moved on to explore other marquees and the super cars section but first we came across the snazzy ‘Sheene 2010' Motorcycle made in memory of the late Barry Sheene motorcycle racing champion, the bike being part of a limited collection of which only 52 models were produced worldwide so we were told by Founder Andrew Morris.
Guests were invited to sit inside many of the super cars and I did just that getting the feel of some of the cars; we saw a special Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé with a silver picnic hamper that opened up out of the boot; other new models were Maserati, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Jaguar, Mercedes, Maybach. Our top favourites were the bright blue Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport which can reach speeds of 253 mph and a turquoise Bentley Continental GT elegant but sporty which I could see myself driving very comfortably yes please!
Afternoon tea was served later, a chance to indulge in traditional cream tea with scones and finger sandwiches which we enjoyed outside in the sunshine with even more strawberries. Yummy!
Salon Privé was a luxurious day out with exceptional vintage and super cars on display and premium hospitality all within beautiful surroundings at Hurlingham. People also had options to attend any of the formal dinner evening events and to round off proceedings on the final evening a dinner and dance took place till late. I'd first heard about Salon Privé three years ago and am so glad we attended this year - sincere thanks go out to David and Andrew Bagley for a great day.
© Article by Gina Chrysanthou Photos by Amita Chatterji
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