Salon Prive 2019

2019 saw Salon Prive’s 14th edition – its 5th at the historic Blenheim Palace – one of England’s greatest houses and a setting entangled with motoring stories. In fact, this year Salon Prive was not only confined to the palace as the whole show spilled out in spectacular fashion into Woodstock village for the new “Salon Prive Live” event – a street party on Friday night in the village with commentary, music and of course, fabulous motorcars.

At the centre of the event lies the Concours D’Elegance a key member of the “Best of the Best” award, sitting alongside events such as Pebble Beach and Villa D’Este which form the Premier League of worldwide Concours D’Elegance scene. New for 2019 - Salon Prive had adopted the international “ICJAG” standard for judging – which brings the judging itself directly in line with that of Pebble Beach. Two Separate judging panels deliberated over the cars on both Thursday and Friday- eventually picking class winners, special awards and ultimately the Best of Show. The standard of cars entered in 2019 was world-class; the sheer number of entries from the USA speaking volumes for the quality of the showing.

For DK Engineering Salon Prive has always a key event in a busy calendar; seven-time class winners, “People’s Choice” winner in 2018 (250LM #6105) and “Best of Show” winner in 2016 with the 500 Testarossa #0614MDTR.

In 2019 we provided logistical and event support to a number of clients from the USA and were delighted to be part of Muldoon family’s class win with their unique 250 Europe “Princess” and Anne Brockington Lee’s coveted “People’s Choice” trophy with the unique Bentley Blower. DK’s Acquisition Consultant Harvey Stanley was also chosen to sit on both the ICJAG and Honorary Judging panels – unsurprisingly with specific duty on two Ferrari-only classes.

DK also had a large stand over all four days of the stand, and brought 7 choice cars from the showroom ranging from a Bugatti Veyron to a RHD Ferrari 250 GT SWB, an F40 and a UK supplied 365 BB, a Mid –restoration 250 GT Lusso providing something different and two significant competition cars in the form of the Kirk F White Daytona Competizione and the 1979 Championship winning “Gulf” 2.7 RS lightweight.

It’s certainly fair to say the DK stand was busy all four days running out of the specially printed booklets before the end of the show! Welcoming over 500 visitors to the stand – including old and new friends, sales were made and enquiries fielded on all seven motorcars. A quick turnaround is now in full swing before the Goodwood Revival which begins just three days later.