What a superb show! We are still dreaming about the many cars we saw there. It was 100% our taste with many 1950 and 1960 cars being present.
This is the best period of car production in our opinion.
In fact we thought Salon Prive was so good that we are going to do a two part series on this.
Salon Prive is a young concours, it was started by two brothers David and Andrew Bagley in 2006. In only eight years Salon Prive has grown into a world class event and and the Bagley brothers and their team can be very proud of what they have achieved in such a short time. This event was first class- plain and simple!
Our first part will be dedicated to only Ferrari. There was a special class for the 275 GTB series so we will devote this part to that as well as to other superb Ferraris including two 250 GT SWB as well as a splendid 25o Tour de France. Our second part will concentrate on mostly British cars including the largest line-up of D-types Jaguars seen anywhere and a stunning Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato.
Lets start with Ferrari, who has had a superb year so far in terms of classic car success (sadly their F1 efforts are less impressive).
One of the most beautiful Ferrari’s seen at the Salon was not even at the concours. It was outside in the parking lot. A 250GT SWB that was looked after it seems by DK Engineering.
Once inside there we were greeted by another stunning 250GT SWB Ferrari. The color was to die for – it was midnight / dark blue.
The form is so simple yet so powerful. We understand why so many collectors are obsessed by this car. Beside the 300SL Gullwing- this is the most beautiful behind in the world.
Below on its way to pick up first prize in its class.
The 250 GT SWB is as beautiful from the front as it is from the back. It just is near perfection in terms of aesthetics.
When I say not a bad angle, we mean not a bad angle. Even from this perspective- the 250 SWB looks elegant. A proper GT car but also race car. In our view the most attractive road going Ferrari. Period.
Next we move to another one of my personal favorite Ferraris ever made: A 250 TDF single louver car.
The car is more important than a 250 SWB in terms of Ferrari history.
All cars were alloy (not the case for the SWB). The TDF or Tour de France was a very successful racecar for Ferrari. It won several Tour de France races and thus got its name.
Yes this car was meant for racing. Also noteworthy: the relative small double exhaust pipes.
The TDF is quite muscular but at the same time feminine.
Notice in the reflection of the TDF- the car on its right. Its another Ferrari also from the 25o line. A California spyder
The car looks marvelous from all angles. The 250 TDF is considered one of the all -time great Ferraris.
This car is so sexy we cannot stop showing you more pictures. Hard to believe this was a hard-core racer battling the likes of the DB4 GT Aston Martin.
Notice the outside fuel cap? Another sign that this car was meant to compete.
The details of cars made in the 1950s is simply amazing. It is the little details that make all the difference. The leather strap that holds the bonnet and the little lever that secures the bonnet. Notice the reflection of the blue sky with slight clouds. It was a marvelous day in London!
Lets move on to another 250 Ferrari- a hyper rare and beautiful 250 Zagato. Only five pieces were originally made. Some collectors believe this car is among the most beautiful ever made by Zagato. The two tone color is stunning. Even though this car is a rebuild / replica – it is still a masterpiece!
One of the things Zagato is famous for: The bubble roof. Strongly visible in the picture below. The car is aggressive. But at the same time elegant.
Next we move on to the Ferrari 275 GTBs. Salon Prive created a special class for these cars since the 275 GTB celebrates their 50th anniversary this year. 275 GTB are beautiful on their own but even more so in a large group. Ferrari is not only about the color red – ‘thank goodness’.
Don’t cars look better when they are in a group? We loved the wonderful colors of the 275 GTB that were present at Salon Prive.
Yellow is a color that suits the 275 GTB superbly! The yellow car is a 275 GTB/4 owned by a longtime owner who is British. It was the beautiful yellow 4 cam that also won the best in class of all 275 GTB present (there were more than 12 present). Congratulations to the Bagley brothers for organizing so many wonderful Ferrari. It was a spectacle seeing so many 275 GTB at once!
Below the 275 GTB/4 collecting its prize. It won best in class.
