Running from 31st August to 2nd September, Atalanta Motors is delighted to be there to share the limelight.
Alongside Villa d’Este, Amelia Island and Pebble Beach, the Salon Privé Concours d’Elegance, sponsored by Chubb Insurance, is world renowned. It’s one of the UK’s oldest classic car competitions and attracts interest from across the globe.
Literally meaning ‘Competition of Elegance’, the contest is held on the opening day of Salon Privé as a lavish event that provides the opportunity for international automotive connoisseurs to display their collections to discerning motor enthusiasts intent on making an investment in a rather excellent day out!
Following a champagne reception and a morning of browsing these finest of automotive specimens, a lobster luncheon precedes the highlight of the day – a mouthwatering parade of all the entrants followed by the much-anticipated awards.
This year, the panel of judges, consisting of drivers, designers and critics, is led by five-times Le Mans champion, Derek Bell MBE. Past winners include the 2016 Best of Show, a beautiful 1956 Ferrari 500 Testa Rossa and 2015 Best of Show, a glorious 1952 Jaguar XK120 Jabbeke. Visitors are also given the opportunity to vote for their favourite in the People’s Choice Award, which was won last year by a 1954 Maserati A6 GCS.
No stranger to the concours, the original Atalanta sports car has won awards at events both pre-war and in the present day. As a modern interpretation of the 1930s version, the new Atalanta sports car is not competing in the Concours d’Elegance but will blend in beside the selection of vehicles on display. Though it lacks the age of some of the Salon Privé’s entrants, today’s Atalanta still echoes many of the graceful lines and design features of the 1939 4¼-litre Bentley and the 1936 Lagonda LG which will also be in attendance.
Like these 1930s cars, the new Atalanta sports car is designed with lightweight aluminium over ash coachwork and full length running boards. In common with the pre-war version, the lightweight four cylinder aluminium engine is also available as a supercharged option.
Up to 6,000 visitors on each of Salon Privé’s three days will have the opportunity to get close to the exhibits and interrogate their owners, as well as request test drives before adding a new item to their shopping list! The Atalanta sports car will be at stand no. M11 in the Automotive Exhibitor’s area.
Aside from the main competition on Thursday, Salon Privé also offers Boodles Ladies’ Day on Friday and the Concours Masters on Saturday. This year, the third day is dedicated to 70 years of the Ferrari. The event will see over 40 different editions of the supercar compete in a second, newly added concours created to honour a particular automotive landmark each year.
Amidst all of the glitz and glamour, Salon Privé provides another purpose – to provide tangible support for children’s charity, the Rainbow Trust. Raising £860,000 in the last five years, the donations of the event’s attendees have helped with the practicalities of looking after a child with a life threatening or terminal illness.
If you’re attending Salon Privé, make sure that the new Atalanta sports car is on your list of must-see cars. Or contact Atalanta Motors today to find out how you can commission your own modern British classic.