Salon Privé returned to Blenheim Palace this September for its 20th anniversary. The weather was mostly kind, with dry conditions for the majority of the day. A sharp shower briefly broke things up, sending guests scattering across the lawns in search of cover, but it passed quickly and the event carried on without missing a beat.
Imagine a palace setting unmatched in its grandeur. Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, provided the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable automotive experience. Add in a line-up of classics and supercars, from rare vintage machines to the latest hypercars, and you begin to understand what Salon Privé delivers. The curated collections delighted enthusiasts, while the hospitality, fine wines and eclectic boutique of luxury brands completed the experience. Welcome to Salon Privé at Blenheim Palace: an event that has rightly earned its place as the ultimate garden party for cars.
Founded in 2006 by brothers Andrew and David Bagley, Salon Privé has grown from an intimate concours into one of the world’s leading multi-day automotive festivals. Andrew, a passionate collector, and David, with a background in automotive journalism and event direction, shaped the event into what it is today: a unique mix of concours judging, curated displays, luxury retail and lifestyle experiences.
To mark the Emerald Anniversary, organisers unveiled the Green Collection, a five-day display of rare and significant cars, each finished in its own shade of green. It became the focal point of this year’s event and a perfect example of Salon Privé’s ability to curate something original and memorable.
The Emerald Anniversary Collection
The line-up spanned eras and philosophies. At its historic core was the 1927 Bentley 3L Vanden Plas Le Mans, the sole survivor of the original three built. Restored to racing specification and already a Pebble Beach class winner, it embodied Bentley’s motorsport heritage.
The marque’s modern presence was equally strong. The Batur, finished in Python Green, is a coachbuilt grand tourer limited to just 18 examples, while the Speed Six Continuation “Car Zero” faithfully recreates the Le Mans-winning icon and has already been tested for thousands of miles.
Jaguar’s C-X75 was one of the highlights for me personally. Reimagined by CALLUM as a one-off road-going version of the never-built concept, it featured active aerodynamics, a new body, and proportions that looked futuristic yet timeless. Of all the cars on display, it was the one that made the biggest impression.
The Ferrari SF90 Ispirazioni stood out as a one-off commission in Verde Francesca with green carbon accents, believed to be the most heavily specified SF90 ever built. The Koenigsegg CCR, finished in Jesko’s own racing green, carried unique status within the model’s history.
Two very different Lamborghinis showcased the brand’s evolution. The Aventador SVJ Roadster delivered modern theatre with its open-air drama, while the Miura P400S, originally built in 1970 and restored 50 years later, shone in Miura Verde with authentic materials used throughout.
The Porsche Carrera GT, one of only 49 UK-delivered cars, was presented in Olive Green, its manual V10 powertrain still regarded as one of the finest ever made. Rounding out the collection was the Bugatti Veyron Centenaire, one of four built for the marque’s centenary, finished in British Racing Green as a tribute to Sir Malcolm Campbell.
I don’t think the likes of the Green Collection will be seen together again in one place. It was a huge feat for Salon Privé to pull off, and one that set this anniversary apart from any other motoring event I have attended.
More Than Just the Cars
Salon Privé is not only about the cars but also the people and the wider experience. Photographing the guests was a joy, from their reactions to the details of their attire, and even the shop staff who added to the atmosphere. The retail stands contributed another layer, offering everything from fine automotive art to clothing and collectibles.
A memorable moment came when Richard Hammond took to the stage as a guest judge, arriving behind the wheel of a 1956 BMW Isetta, freshly restored by his company, The Smallest Cog. The little bubble car drew smiles from the crowd and highlighted the event’s mix of celebrity, craftsmanship and enthusiasm.
Another personal favourite was a customised Ferrari by Talos, finished in a vivid red. Aggressive and highly detailed, it retained Ferrari’s spirit while adding a sharper, more purposeful stance. It felt like a one-off statement piece and kept pulling me back throughout the day. Alongside the Jaguar C-X75, it was among my highlights of the entire show.
From a photographer’s perspective, the way displays were curated added something extra. Rows of yellow cars, a sequence of blues, clusters of red Ferraris and, on the Porsche side, line-ups with different coloured wheels all made for striking compositions and gave the displays a visual rhythm that was a pleasure to shoot. The curators did an outstanding job, and the level of planning involved in putting it all together was remarkable.
Beyond the Palace Lawns
The Green Collection may have been the headline, but it was only part of the story. The SCC (Supercar Car Club) brought an impressive display of modern high-performance cars, while outside the palace various car clubs presented their own line-ups. From rare classics to modern icons, these added to the breadth of the event and created a sense of community alongside the concours entries.
Blenheim Palace itself tied everything together. Its architecture and lawns provided a scale and grandeur that few venues can rival. Even under cloud cover the backdrop was commanding, and when the light broke through it lifted the displays to another level.
A Significant Milestone
The 20th anniversary proved why Salon Privé has become the UK’s leading luxury automotive event. The Green Collection gave this year’s edition a clear identity and will be remembered as one of its most distinctive themes.
For me, what made it special was not only the cars but the balance between heritage and modernity, the setting of Blenheim, and the people who came together around a shared passion. From the surviving Bentley Le Mans car to the one-off Ferrari SF90, from the Miura to the singular Jaguar C-X75, from the customised Talos Ferrari to Richard Hammond’s restored Isetta, and even the carefully curated rows of colour-themed displays, this Emerald Anniversary captured the best of automotive culture.
And while the sharp shower may have briefly scattered guests for cover, it became part of the day’s character. Once the lawns filled again, the event carried on with the same sense of occasion. Salon Privé 2025 was not simply an exhibition of rare cars, but a living celebration of motoring heritage, design and people.
Salon Privé PRESS DAY.. – First Impressions from Blenheim
By Sue Chan-Wyles, PLN Videographer
There’s something about arriving at Blenheim Palace for Salon Privé that takes your breath away. The sheer scale of the grounds, immaculately kept, sets the tone before you even see a single car. Walking up the driveway felt like stepping into another world — one where elegance and automotive artistry go hand in hand.
Inside, guests were greeted by a Hall of Fame of previous Best in Show winners, and it was impossible not to pause and admire the craftsmanship on display. Each car had its own story, standing as a reminder of what Salon Privé is all about — celebrating the very best of motoring history.
The brand-new Automotive Gallery was a highlight. Surrounded by 1,206 panes of glass, it was bright, modern, and almost jewel-like in the way it framed the cars. Knowing that the Bagley brothers personally cleaned every single pane before the event gave it a sense of care and pride that matched the beauty of the machines inside.
This year also saw the addition of the Qatar Executive lounge — a calm, luxurious space where guests could take a moment to relax, enjoy a drink, and simply soak in the atmosphere.
On the lawns, the variety of cars was a delight in itself. Classic elegance stood alongside bold modernity, each motor drawing its own crowd. Among the standouts was Jimmy Carr’s Aston Martin DB6, converted into an electric car by Electrogenic. It sparked conversations all afternoon about tradition meeting technology. Add to that the RML GT Hypercar 40th anniversary edition and Thornley Kelham’s Jaguar XK European GT Roadster, and it felt like every corner offered something new to discover.
The themed Emerald “Green Collection” was a fresh addition this year — a visual statement that tied together an entire display with stunning effect.
By mid-afternoon, the tempo lifted. The Supercar Parade rolled out, a gleaming line-up that turned heads at every angle, followed closely by the Concours Cavalcade at 2pm, hosted by Max Girardo. Seeing the concours cars moving across the lawns instead of standing still really brought them to life, each engine note adding to the theatre of the day.
Meanwhile, behind the scenes, ICJAG judges began their work on the concours field. Quiet, meticulous, and deliberate — their presence reminded everyone that the real drama of the awards was still to come later in the week.
Walking away at the end of Wednesday, it was impossible not to feel lifted. Salon Privé isn’t just an event — it’s an experience. One that stays with you long after you leave Blenheim’s gates.
