Salon Privé: Twenty Years of Automotive Luxury at Blenheim Palace
This year, Salon Privé celebrated two decades of absolute success in the international luxury automotive calendar, once again transforming the gardens of the imposing Blenheim Palace into a stage of innovation, tradition and refined lifestyle. Under the direction of brothers David and Andrew Bagley, the 2025 edition reaffirmed itself as a unique experience where cultural heritage and automotive design meet in perfect harmony.
The monumental Qatar Executive Gallery, installed on the South Lawn, was the beating heart of this edition, gathering forty four extraordinary cars that impressed both for their exclusivity and their rarity. Among them, the RML GT Hypercar stood out as a creation that combines aesthetics inspired by the Le Mans prototypes with cutting edge engineering, in an extremely limited series. Another remarkable moment was the world premiere of the Jaguar XK European GT Roadster, reimagined by Thornley Kelham, which captivated me for the way it balanced respect for tradition with the boldness of contemporary reinvention.
The atmosphere was enriched by other memorable highlights, such as the 1967 Mustang GT500 restored by Clive Sutton, the Amian Collection that brought to the fore the extraordinary Pagani Zonda 760 Viola and a Ferrari Enzo, and the impressive McLaren W1, shown for only the second time on British soil. Yet it was the McLaren paying homage to Ayrton Senna that moved me most profoundly. Adorned in the green, yellow and blue of Brazil, this model symbolises an eternal tribute to the three time Formula 1 World Champion. For me, as a Brazilian, standing before this car was to relive the power of a legacy that transcends motorsport.
Amid such masterpieces, it is impossible not to highlight Bentley, a marque for which I hold a true passion and with whom I have had the privilege of collaborating in the past. Seeing Bentley shine at an event of this magnitude was to reaffirm its status as an uncontested icon of British luxury, remaining ever faithful to its blend of tradition, sophistication and performance.
The social glamour of Salon Privé was also captured on Ladies’ Day, when the British tradition of hats and fascinators aligned seamlessly with the elegance of the cars. This celebration, so characteristic of English culture, added yet more charm to a gathering that has always been destined for exclusivity.
The Concours d’Elégance, presented by Aviva Private Clients, was another highlight, bringing together sixty rare models. The 1936 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Spezial Roadster from the Auriga Collection was crowned Best in Show, while the 1956 Ferrari 410 Superamerica Coupé “Super Fast” Prototype won the People’s Choice Award, reflecting the diversity and excellence of the collections assembled.
Last year, Avesso Magazine attended Salon Privé at Chelsea Hospital. This year, by honouring for the first time the edition at Blenheim Palace, we reaffirm our commitment to being present at every future edition of an event that is, without doubt, one of the greatest passions of our readers.
To celebrate twenty years of Salon Privé was far more than to witness an exhibition of rare automobiles: it was to experience the perfect union of tradition and modernity, of British culture and global innovation. For Avesso Magazine, it was an honour to immortalise this moment and share with its readers the essence of an event that stands as a true icon of the luxury lifestyle.
