Salon Privé Concours d'Elégance 2014

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SALON PRIVÉ Syon Park, Brentford, LONDON

For those interested in the history of the venue, as I am, a synopsis of the history of Syon House, is that it is the home of the Percy's, Dukes of Northumberland, since 1594. (And yes, it is the same Percy's that co-starred in Black Adder, alongside Rowan Atkinson and Miranda Richardson as Elizabeth I) The building that we see today, is built on the site of an earlier monastery, founded by Henry V in 1415. The monastery was duly dissolved by Henry VIII, when he had his 'set too' with the Pope when he needed to divorce Catherine of Aragon and so initiated the Church of England. Although, later a particularly horrid episode occurred overnight five years later when Henry VIII, was in his coffin and being transported from Westminster to Windsor. The coffin, burst open and, in the morning, dogs were found to be licking up certain remains.

Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, Protector of the Realm acquired the monastery and estate as a result of Edward VI succession, started on constructing a house, which forms the basis of what we see today. But following Dudley's execution for treason, Syon reverted to the Crown.

In 1594, Elizabeth I granted the lease to the current family in residence, to Henry Percy, 9th Duke of Northumberland, known as the Wizard Earl due to his interest in the sciences. During the civil wars there of Charles I's children were placed in the care of the 10th Earl to avoid the plague in the capital.

Beginning in 1762, 'Capability' Brown, gardener to the aristocrats along with Richard Adam, of fireplace fame, spent many years remodelling the House, but not until the 19th century were the walls faced with Bath stone. The great conservatory was designed by Charles Fowler and it's said that Joseph Paxton took inspiration from it to design the Crystal Palace in 1861, and venue of the Sprint I was fortunate to cover for All Car Central, 25th May 2014. In 1837, the famous botanical gardens were opened to the public and, with the assistance of ICI, the chemical company, the 10th Earl formed Gardening Centre Ltd in 1965.

Within the grounds Syon also boasts a rather smart looking hotel, being a part of the Hilton Group.

AS FOR THE CARS:

The 9th Salon Prive and the 5th to be held at Syon, the Bagley Bothers, Andrew and David, do a rather marvellous job of putting together, what is essentially two motor shows in one: on two separate lawns:

The CHUBB Insurance Concours d'Elegance international entry list had a reputed combined value of £120million, celebrating a Maserati's centenary, 50 years of the Ferrari 275 and 60 years of the Jaguar D-Type. Members of the Ferrari owners club were welcomed along with entries from the Gumball 3000. Hyper Cars included, LaFerrari, Koenisegg One:1, Pagani Huayra and RUF CTR3 Clubsport.

The Luxury retail village included brands such as, Boodles, Hartley's Safaris, Patek Phillipe, Pommery, Robusto Cigars, Route 1 Aviatio and Swissvax UK.

The exceptional food and drinks service was provided by Absolute Taste and Create, providing Pommery Champagne, a major sponsor, throughout the day, with a very tasty lobster barbeque.

The Super Car Show included entries from Abarth, BMW, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Lister, Overfinch, Rolls- Royce Motor Cars, Spyker and Tesla.

All Car Central's top photojournalist Mark J. Willison stocked the Salon Privé grounds on Friday which is the set-up day. this allowed to see behind the scenes and avoided the crowds.

Getting everything in place requires a great number of people and much planning

Pagani Huayra part of the Super Car section

Lamborghini Aventador

Laferrari in Red

Or... This one belongs to Jay Kay of Jamiroquai.

Super Cars of the Past ...

Another Pagani

I would be smiling to if that were my Pagani

Lister

The ever interesting Spyker from land of canals and windmills

A parade of Pagani's

Ah the hard life of the Automotive Photojournalist, having to endure such a lunch.... and in such austere soundings

Bugatti

MG XPower SV 2003-2005

BMW i8 electric

Fiat and Abarth back together

Mercedes Benz 600

Maserati

Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A Castagna sn-1664 1933

Descriptive Poster For This Car - JPG file

Alfa Romeo; Big lights, Small tires

Hispano-Suiza, Even Bigger Lights

Ferrari

and Ferrari

Lancia

Cisitalia Abarth 204 sn-04 1950
1.1-liter engine 014-1090,
Tazio Nuvolari drove his final race, behind the wheel of this 1950 Cisitalia Abarth 204 A Spyder Sport, saw him finish first in class at the 1950 Palermo-Montepellegrino Hillclimb.

Plain old Super Cars one can buy

Even the Mini wants to be a super car

All Good things must come to an end.

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