Vintage Bentley will showcase the famous Barnato-Hassan Brooklands racer
Rare fuel-injected Aston Martin DBS-6 set to be presented by Richards of England
Aston Martin DB6 and Ferrari Daytona also confirmed
Innovative Concours de Vente will be centrepiece of new motoring festival

A legendary Bentley racing car has been confirmed for the Concours de Vente at Salon Privé London, which makes its debut at Royal Hospital Chelsea from 21-23 April. British specialist Vintage Bentley will be presenting the Barnato-Hassan, one of the fastest Brooklands racers of all time and a car that once held the outright lap record for the Surrey speedbowl’s Outer Circuit.

Commissioned by ‘Bentley Boy’, Le Mans winner and former company chairman Woolf Barnato, the car was masterminded by famed engineer Walter Hassan. First raced in 1934, it featured a narrow chassis and a 6½-litre engine, but by the following year it had gained an 8-litre engine and Oliver Bertram wrestled the demanding machine around Brooklands at 142.60mph. That was a new lap record at the time, and it was still the Class B record when the track closed in 1939.

Hassan subsequently developed a narrow body with a central driving position and the Barnato-Hassan continued to race. In 1938, it lapped Brooklands at 143.11mph – only fractionally slower than John Cobb’s outright benchmark – but frustratingly it didn’t count as a new Class B record because it was set during a race.

Enthusiastically raced after the war by Keith Schellenberg, the Barnato-Hassan retains its original chassis and 8-litre engine and will be presented at Salon Privé London wearing the slimline blue bodywork with which it was raced at Brooklands.

Other entries for the Concours de Vente include two very differently styled examples of the DB-era Aston Martin. Marque specialist Richards of England will be showcasing a 1970 DBS-6 that was one of only 15 to be built using fuel injection in place of the standard carburettors. Only two cars are known to still be running that set-up, and chassis number DBS/5579/R has covered less than 500 miles since being fully restored by Richards of England in 2018. Presented in its original livery of Azzurro Blue with Dark Blue Connolly leather inside, this rare and well-known DBS-6 features an engine that’s been rebuilt to 4.2 litres and a ZF manual gearbox in place of the original automatic unit.

It will be joined on the lawns of Royal Hospital Chelsea by an Aston Martin DB6 that’s been entered for the Concours de Vente by Tom Hartley. Featuring an unbroken history, this beautiful British grand tourer was exported new to Zambia in 1967 and subsequently spent most of its life in Africa. Now fully restored and boasting a 4.7-litre engine that was rebuilt by renowned specialist RS Williams, it was brought to the UK in 2019 by its owner and is presented in the iconic colour combination of Silver Birch with black interior.

Italian honour will be upheld by Hendon Way Motors, who have entered a 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona. With three owners from new, this V12-engined Maranello great has been immaculately maintained by its previous custodians, who include Ferrari authority and motoring journalist Ian Fraser. The Daytona has been awarded the prized Classiche Certification and has retained its original tool kit, handbook and owner’s manual.

Director Andrew Bagley said: ‘This is a world exclusive – an opportunity for the elite dealers to take centre stage themselves and enter a car in the inaugural Salon Privé Concours de Vente. The unique concept will see all of the entries being offered for sale across the three days of the event, but there will be judging and silverware too. This will culminate in one of the cars being awarded the ultimate Prix d’Honneur in the Concours de Vente Gala Dinner on Friday night in the Great Hall of the Royal Hospital Chelsea.’

As befitting Salon Privé’s status as one of the world’s most prestigious automotive events, eleven cars will be making their global, European or UK debut at Royal Hospital Chelsea. The very latest models from the likes of Alpine, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Genesis, Jaguar Land Rover SVO, Lamborghini, Pininfarina, Porsche and Rolls-Royce will be on display alongside Morgan Motor Company, as well as the latest machinery from Harley-Davidson and Indian Motorcycles. These will be joined by British specialists Charge Cars, Envisage, Everrati, Jensen Automotive and Overfinch, to provide a line-up that covers everything from reimagined classics to next generation hypercars and EVs.

Salon Privé London promises to be one of the UK’s most exclusive parties, with plenty to see and do in addition to the motoring attractions. The shopping village will host luxury fashion brands including renowned British jewellery designer Boodles. Everything from Patek Philippe watches to Riva motorboats and Bell helicopters will be on offer, as will the first-class hospitality for which Salon Privé has long been renowned. Louis Pommery will flow, and London Essence cocktail bars will offer exciting cocktails from NoMad, Louie and the Donovan Bar mixologists. 

To complement this, Salon Privé has partnered with renowned and innovative hospitality group JKS Restaurants to provide guests with a unique dining experience. This will include dishes from the Michelin-starred Gymkhana, Indian BBQ classics by Brigadiers, and cult Taiwanese specialists BAO. In addition, there will be plates from Fitzrovia’s The George and Chelsea’s The Cadogan Arms, providing pub fare that celebrates the best of British produce, making Salon Privé London a real foodie’s delight.

There’s also the option to enjoy a sumptuous three-course seated luncheon in The Sloane – the event’s exclusive VIP Hospitality Pavilion – while DJs will keep guests entertained into the evening. On the Thursday and Friday, Salon Privé London will be open until 9pm, allowing everyone to soak up the party atmosphere as dusk falls.

Salon Privé London is donating 20 % of all Entry Ticket revenue to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) via Work for Good. #StandWithUkraine

About Royal Hospital Chelsea
The Royal Hospital Chelsea was established over 300 years ago during the reign of King Charles II, whose vision for a home for veteran soldiers was brought to life by Sir Christopher Wren. King Charles II’s understanding that the country owes a debt of gratitude to its old soldiers informs the spirit of the Royal Hospital today.

The residents of the Royal Hospital, known the world over as Chelsea Pensioners, are all retired soldiers of the British Army. To this day, the Royal Hospital provides care and comradeship to veterans in recognition of their loyal service to the nation.

Located in the borough of Kensington and Chelsea in the heart of West London, the Hospital is highly accessible by road, rail and tube from throughout the capital and beyond.

Already established as a prestigious city venue through long-term associations with the likes of RHS Chelsea Flower Show and Masterpiece Art Fair, the Royal Hospital Chelsea was a natural choice for Salon Privé London and a suitable counterpart to the September venue, Blenheim Palace.