SALON PRIV\u00c9<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n The 6th Luxury Super Car Event & Concours de\u2019Elegance<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n 22-24 June 2011, Syon Park, London<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n After five years at the Hurlingham Club, Salon Priv\u00e9 moved out to Syon Park, home to the Duke of Northumberland, where 200 acres of parkland \u2013 remarkably less than 10 miles from central London \u2013 afforded rather more space for this expanding show.<\/p>\n Arrive in Style<\/p><\/div>\n The rather exclusive event caters for those who want to inspect the latest in upmarket machinery whilst downing a glass or two of Pommery Champagne before enjoying an excellent lunch.<\/p>\n Italian Jobs<\/p><\/div>\n And some of the bolides on offer might well have looked more attractive after a glass or two of bubbly! A Bentley with yellow wheels, anyone?<\/p>\n Aston Extremes<\/p><\/div>\n Aston Martin brought along the latest Mirage and their new city car, the Cygnet. Sir Stirling Moss has apparently ordered one, so it\u2019s sure to catch on.<\/p>\n A Maybach, allegedly<\/p><\/div>\n Rolls Royce showed a bespoke Phantom, but the behemoth from Goodwood is a relatively common sight in comparison with the Maybach \u2013 now that does have rarity appeal.<\/p>\n The New Old Jensen Interceptor<\/p><\/div>\n It was good to see some of Britain\u2019s smallest of artisan manufacturers holding their own against the established names. Eagle E-Types were capturing a lot of attention with their E-Type Speedster, a discretely different take on the British icon which is celebrating it\u2019s 50th birthday this year (in case you hadn\u2019t heard…). Making a return to the scene is the Jensen Interceptor, Steve Bannister\u2019s company now remanufacturing this 1970\u2019s superstar. Starting with a tired original Jensen International Automotive restore and re-engineer to a bespoke specification \u2013 the car on show, painted in a Lamborghini lavender colour was powered by a 492bhp Chevy V8. There are plans for a GT Coupe based on the drop-top Interceptor. Drawings have been found for what would have been Jensen\u2019s next model before the original company went out of business.<\/p>\n Hennessey Venom GT – not an eco car<\/p><\/div>\n Bearing little or no allegiance to the past is the Hennessey Venom GT. Loosely based on the Lotus Exige but clothed in full carbon composite bodywork it too is V8 powered but this one pumps out 1200bhp and reputedly can do the 0-60mph dash in 2.5-seconds before hurtling on to 275 mph, that should be enough to upset the eco-fascists! It\u2019s in marked contrast to the similarly Lotus-based but very different Tesla.<\/p>\n House Guests<\/p><\/div>\n Almost ignored, but taking up the prime position in front of the house, was an incredible collection of Porsche Group C cars, no less than seven 956\u2019s and eight 962\u2019s. \u00a0This represents the full spectrum, from the original Rothmans 956 that debuted at Silverstone in 1982 and won that years\u2019 Le Mans 24 hours in the hands of Derek Bell and Jacky Ickx, through to the ultimate interpretation, Jim Busby\u2019s specially commissioned Miller car that scored the last Daytona 24-hour race win for Stuttgart\u2019s finest in 1989. Derek Bell once again was one of the drivers, joined this time by Bob Wollek and John Andretti. (Editor’s note: Porsche fetishists, of which there are many, will surely remind us that the Kremer K8 Spyder that won the race in 1995 was based on a Porsche 962. Is it a Porsche? Debate and discuss. Then there is the small matter of The Racer’s Group triumph at the 2003 race in a 911………finest? Not a 911?)<\/em><\/p>\n Brun Porsche<\/p><\/div>\n The rest of the collection, pulled together over a ten-year period, included other works cars such as the Shell Dunlop versions, Walter Brun\u2019s Repsol liveried machine, the last-ever factory built 962 which came within 15 minutes of stealing a Le Mans win away from the TWR Jaguar oufit. (Editor’s Note: The Brun car was in second place when it retired, the Brundle\/Cobb\/Nielsen Jaguar had led the race for 13 hours. It was no less heart breaking to see Jesus Pareja stopping at Mulsanne Corner and no less unjust.) <\/em>Also represented were successful privateer British teams such as Richard Lloyd Racing and John Fitzpatrick, the former in particular highly modifying its cars in an effort to find an advantage.<\/p>\n Taxi for Il Duce?<\/p><\/div>\n A walk around the side of the house revealed the concours where everything from Mussolini\u2019s Mille Miglia Alfa Romeo (it took top prize) to the Sir Norman Fowler\u2019s 1934 Dymaxion 4 were to be found, the latter put together by the ever versatile Crosthwaite & Gardiner.<\/p>\n Nicely patinated Don Lee Special<\/p><\/div>\n Attracting almost as much attention but in totally unrestored condition was the Alfa Tipo \u2018Don Lee Special\u2019.<\/p>\n Lambo’s latest<\/p><\/div>\n RM Auctions were in charge of the Thursday evening sale with a large number of primarily Aston Martin, Jaguar and Rolls Royce lots on offer.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.doubledeclutch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/SP-Architecteural-styles.jpg\" "\\"SP")
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