Salon Prive 2010 Luxury Supercar Event

The Salon Prive has firmly established itself as one of the UK's premier motoring pageants. It is a three day unique event with a blend of debuting super cars, classics and luxury brands all on display in the grounds of the very beautiful Hurlingham Club in London.

Among the classics on display this year was the Alfa Romeo 1750 Super Sport, this car was one of the earliest 1750 models to be imported in 1929. It is driven on a regular basis and has its own original engine, gearbox, crank and rear axle.

There are only two Bugatti T46 Profilee bodied cars known to exist.  The model on display at the Salon Prive is a truly unique motor car. It is correct in every way and effectively unused from new. The original factory Type 46/50 chassis on this car has never previously been used on the road since manufacture in 1931 and recently received a recreated Profilee body by a marque specialist.

1950&rsquo s models were a fantastic sight with real Hollywood vibes. The Oldsmobile 98 Starfire Convertible on display is the only one of its kind in the country. This car was fully restored twenty years ago boasting true American style with a wild side trim splitting its original two tone paint and huge chrome bumpers. The most unique extra included on this fantastic model is the Phillips 7 inch record player which offered &lsquo in car entertainment&rsquo at the forefront of the fifties technology. Alongside the Oldsmobile was a Cadillac Eldorado from 1953. This low production convertible came in four standard colours Aztek red, Azure blue, Alpine white and black with white inserts. They were manufactured with two way power seats, hydra matic transmission, power steering, dual heaters and windshield washers. Also included were power operated windows and a radio.

To celebrate 75 years Jaguar displayed some of the rarest Jaguars still in existence in a dedicated Heritage area,  these included  a 1938 Jaguar SS100 and a 1952 Jaguar C-Type. The C-Type is the only Jaguar to have competed in the Carrera Pan Americana. This original example of the famous sports racing Jaguar has just been recomissioned after coming out of hibernation and long term ownership.

Three models from the Audi range made their Salon Prive debut including the fabulous Audi R8 V10 Spyder Convertible. The city friendly Audi A1 lined up alongside the supercar and in an eye catching red looks as if it could give the BMW Mini some stiff competition. Bentley revealed two new models, the elegant Bentley Mulsanne with its sumptuous cabin and handcrafted luxury and the Bentley Continental Superports Convertible with the 621bhp twin turbocharged W12 Supersports engine. This model is the fastest drop top Bentley has ever built offering the ultimate driving experience.

Rolls Royce showcased the wonderful well loved Phantom models together with the new Rolls Royce Ghost. Bespoke designers were on hand to discuss any possibility to commission for Rolls Royce Phantom customers.  Bespoke includes the development of anything from the most understated feature such as personalised tread plates, contrast stitching and seat piping to a bold expression of a customer&rsquo s desires in the form of personalised veneers and unique exterior paints.  Then there are stunning creations like luggage, glassware and the opulent picnic set, all designed in-house at Goodwood.

By Geraldine Ashton Green, motoring.co.uk