The second Salon Privé London event has wrapped up at Royal Hospital Chelsea with highlights including more than 18,287 visitors throughout the three days, celebrity guests including F1 World Champion Jenson Button, TV star Richard Hammond and Lewis Hamilton’s father Anthony Hamilton, plus an unmissable gathering of the world’s finest cars and luxury brands – many debuting products in the UK for the first time. 

The new Maserati GranTurismo kicked off the new model launches on a sunny opening day at Salon Privé London 2023. The new car lined up alongside other models from the Italian premium brand’s range, including the new Maserati Grecale SUV. Super-luxury icon Rolls-Royce Motor Cars presented the new Rolls-Royce Phantom Extended for the first time, and the exciting electric Abarth 500e Scorpionissima made its UK debut. 

American hypercar and high-performance brand Hennessey revealed the new Venom F5 Roadster. Founder and CEO John Hennessey also flew in to announce a new partnership with H.R. Owen, with the new Hennessey London store officially launched at Salon Privé London. 

The Wiesmann Project Thunderball was a thrilling new model that drew attention as the world’s first pure electric roadster. The 680bhp, €300,000 car already has a growing waiting list ahead of deliveries beginning in 2024 – with CEO and owner Roheen Berry describing Salon Privé London as “the perfect event for our UK public debut”. 

Theon Design Co-Founder Adam Hawley pulled the covers off the new ITA001, a bespoke Porsche-based commission powered by a 400bhp 4.0-litre air-cooled flat-six engine. The Porsche 911 964 Carrera 4-derived model was seen for the first time at Royal Hospital Chelsea before imminently being shipped to Italy for its new owner to enjoy. 

Other new cars impressing Salon Privé London guests included the 2023 model year Genesis GV60, which features world-first Face Connect technology. Product experts from the luxury EV brand were able to demonstrate the cutting-edge new tech. The new Polestar 3 electric luxury SUV made its UK debut, presented by UK CEO Jonathan Goodman, and the performance EV brand also showed the limited-run Polestar 2 BST edition 270. 

The Grand Tour star Richard Hammond bought real celebrity status to Salon Privé London, as he showcased the latest creation from his The Smallest Cog restoration business, a Chapron-bodied Delahaye. The firm is fresh from restoring it to its original colours, as chosen by 1930s motor racing hero Louis Chiron. “The event has been brilliant, full of stunning cars, stunning venue, and a stunning experience,” said The Smallest Cog team. 

This year’s Concours de Vente saw more than 70 cars displayed on the pristine Royal Hospital Chelsea lawn. The Prix d’Honneur winner was a 1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 Vignale from Aston Workshop. A true one-off, it was commissioned by King Baudouin of Belgium and built by Italian coachbuilder Vignale. The crowd-pleasing Aston Martin was also the Class 3 winner for cars costing over £1 million and above.” 

In breaking news during the event, it was confirmed that the current King of Belgium will be visiting Royal Hospital Chelsea this summer – and has requested to view the Prix d’Honneur-winning Aston Martin driven by his royal relative. Aston Workshop will now work to make the royal presentation a reality. 

The Class 1 winner, for cars up to £250,000, was a 1966 Maserati Sebring 3700 GTI from Graeme Hunt. The Class 2 winner, for cars between £250,000 and £1 million, was a 1961 Maserati 3500 GT Vignale Spyder from Classic Motor Hub. Meanwhile, Dylan Miles’ 1954 Bentley R-Type Continental was the Pensioners’ Trophy winner, while a 2005 Maserati MC12 from Joe Macari was named the People’s Choice winner. 

Luxury brands were out in force at Salon Privé London too. Montblanc led the new product launches by presenting its new 8000 Capsule collection for the first time since its global reveal just weeks earlier in Geneva. Montblanc also showcased the 1958 Iced Sea Collection, including a new dark grey dial choice. 

Coachbuilt Whisky is a new blend launched by Formula 1 World Champion Jenson Button and whisky expert George Koutsakis. The blend is from five Scotch regions and demonstrates the immense skill required to piece together a beautifully crafted whisky. 2009 Formula 1 World Champion Jenson met guests at Salon Privé London and also showed his latest business venture to Anthony Hamilton, father of seven-time World Champion (and Jenson’s former McLaren team-mate) Lewis. 

The central suite from famous British luxury jewellery brand Boodles was another highlight of Salon Privé London. The family-owned brand, established in 1798, also presented Friday’s Boodles Best Hat Competition: the 2023 price was a classic diamond set pendant, worth £2,600. 

Food and hospitality were first class, in the famed Salon Privé tradition, with a three-course luncheon, delicious Pommery Champagne, cocktails from the London Essence Co and fine wines from Chateau La Gordonne. Further highlights included fun for all the family during Saturday at Salon Privé, plus exclusive VIP hospitality at The Sloane, and DJs keeping the party going well into the evening on Thursday and Friday.  

Event Director David Bagley said: “The atmosphere has been unforgettable throughout the event, and everyone has agreed that it’s great to be back in the capital for our second year at Royal Hospital Chelsea. Salon Privé London has delivered everything that you’d expect – superb cars, first-class hospitality and a prestigious location – and the unique Concours de Vente once again proved to be a huge success. With many new cars and luxury products being shown for the first time at Salon Privé London, there were no end of delights for our record-breaking attendance to enjoy.” 

Attention now turns to the Salon Privé Concours d’Elegance at Blenheim Palace. Now in its 18th year, the globally renowned classic is a second-to-none experience and this year is held from 30 August to 2 September at Britain’s greatest palace.