RML, Thornley Kelham and Electrogenic lead the show with unveils at Salon Privé 2025
- Salon Privé 2025 has opened at Blenheim Palace for a five-day luxury automotive and lifestyle garden party
- RML Group revealed first GT Hypercar in the Salon Privé Automotive Gallery
- Thornley Kelham officially launched their Jaguar XK European GT Roadster
- Jimmy Carr’s Electrogenic Aston Martin DB6 unveiled
- McLaren showcases the W1 for only the second time in the UK
- Clive Sutton makes world debut of 1967 Mustang built for the show
- Salon Privé Concours presented by Aviva Private Clients sees 60 of the rarest classics competing for the Best in Show award – including class of 1950s Ferrari Racers
- Salon Privé Emerald Anniversary Green Collection is an opening day highlight
Salon Privé, the UK’s most prestigious luxury automotive event, has opened at Blenheim Palace for is 20th Anniversary edition.
The event was officially opened by co-founders Andrew and David Bagley, with Ann Owen, Managing Director of Platinum Sponsor, Aviva Private Clients, in front of the stunning Qatar Executive Gallery – this year’s spectacular centrepiece of the show. Made of 1,206 panes of glass the structure covers an area of 4,462m2 within the South Lawn of Blenheim Palace and houses 44 of the world’s most magnificent cars.
Among the models on display in the gallery is the first of RML Group’s limited-production GT Hypercar (GTH). Inspired by Le Mans Hypercar racers such as the Porsche GT1, the production GTH draws on RML’s 40 years of championship-winning motorsport performance, bespoke engineering and industry leading innovation.
Fulfilling its promise to be the Ultimate GT, the GTH – which debuted at Salon Privé this morning, was developed under the internal RML P39 codename. It delivers an uncompromising fusion of all-round performance, bespoke refinement and usability.
The GTH making its debut at Salon Privé is doubly special – it is not only the first of 39 production models, but also one of just 10 RML 40th Anniversary Special Edition (SE) variants.
Speaking at the unveiling, Michael Mallock, Board Member responsible for the Bespoke Division, said: “This is a proud day in RML history. I could not be more thrilled with how the GT Hypercar has turned out. It was an ambitious project, but it has beaten even my exacting expectations on road and track.”
Thornley Kelham, renowned for concours-winning restorations and world-class bespoke reimaginings of iconic classics, also launched its latest creation in the Salon Privé Automotive Gallery this morning. The Jaguar XK European GT Roadster made its global debut, offering attendees an exclusive first look at this masterfully reimagined classic. A refined and exhilarating evolution of one of Britain’s most iconic sports cars, this exquisite open-top model follows the celebrated European GT Coupé and will be produced in a strictly limited run of just 25 examples.
Each car is restored and upgraded over 6,000+ hours, blending traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology to create a machine of rare beauty and performance. Powered by a fully re-engineered, all-alloy Jaguar straight-six engine producing 360 bhp – 225% more powerful than the original XK – the Jaguar XK European GT Roadster delivers 159% more torque, is 30kgs lighter, and features bespoke chassis, suspension, and braking upgrades.
“Jaguar XK European GT Roadster is our tribute to what the XK could have become if Jaguar had continued to develop it in-period,” said Simon Thornley, director of Thornley Kelham. “It’s respectful of the original but bolder, more focused, and ready for the open road in every sense.”
Also displaying in the Salon Privé 2025 Automotive Gallery, Electrogenic lifted the lid on its latest bespoke project today; a stunning 1967 Aston Martin DB6 converted to electric drive for comedian Jimmy Carr.
The stylish British classic, an automotive icon of the swinging sixties, has been future-proofed by the British EV technology company for an age of low-carbon motoring, combining glorious looks with lively performance and total reliability – all with zero tailpipe emissions.
Carr’s DB6 is just the latest bespoke conversion carried out by Oxford based Electrogenic, who previously converted a 1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom II for Hollywood star Jason Momoa.
Steve Drummond, CEO, Electrogenic, said: “As with all our work with classic vehicles, the conversion is in keeping with the original character of the car, delivering a familiar but now hassle-free driving experience. The Electrogenic Aston Martin DB6 has ample reserves of power to match its celebrated design – all with the convenience of total reliability and zero tailpipe emissions. It’s a delight to drive and a real head turner.”
The red carpet was rolled out for McLaren, who introduced the W1 for the second time on British turf during the opening of Salon Privé 2025. Dubbed ‘the real supercar’, the W1 is the fastest accelerating road-legal McLaren ever, reaching 200km/h from standstill in a phenomenal 5.8 seconds. Only seen before at Goodwood Festival of Speed, the W1 marks the 50th anniversary of McLaren’s first Formula 1 World Championship win, and features an all-new, McLaren High-Performance Hybrid Powertrain that consists of an MHP-8 engine, a brand-new lighter E-module, F1-derived battery technology and the fast and sharp-shifting 8-speed dual clutch transmission, which includes an integrated E-Differential.
Also joining the opening of the 20th Anniversary opening was co-founder and head designer, Ian Callum CBE of CALLUM Designs. Showcasing their concept car SKYE, the reimagined Wood and Pickett MINI and the C-X75, Ian said: “It’s a great pleasure to be showcasing three CALLUM cars at this fabulous show. SKYE represents a new way forward while Wood and Pickett MINI is our reimagined statement of exotic 60s motoring brought up to modern day. We finally have the iconic C-X75 completed and road-worthy. The car that ‘got away’ is now in the spotlight, looking as beautiful as ever.”
European Design Director at General Motors, Julian Thomson, showed the advanced design study Chevrolet Corvette concept car, which was first unveiled last month.
Developed by the UK team as part of a global design project, the exterior design of the Corvette includes a distinctive division between the upper and lower halves of the vehicle. The upper half captures the Corvette’s classic design elements, but in a futuristic manner. The lower half focuses on functional technical design, including EV battery technology embedded into the structure and aerodynamics elements designed to channel air efficiently without the need for wings or spoilers.
Built specifically for Salon Privé, Clive Sutton, provided the world debut of its two-year restoration of a 1967 GT500 Mustang. Built on an original body, 90% is the original shell, now with a 5.0 Coyote engine from the modern Mustang – Gen 3, which boasts 460bhp and 420 ft.-lb.+ of torque. The £320,000 restoration also enjoys a six-speed manual Tremec, full Bilstein suspension with fully active independent rear suspension, power-steering and Bentley Beluga interior leather with all modernised features.
Germany’s Amian Collection added another standout, showcasing the extraordinary Pagani Zonda 760 Viola within the Automotive Gallery. It sits alongside a stunning 2003 Ferrari Enzo and a 2015 Pagani Huayra ‘Pacchetto Tempesta’ at the show from Amian’s enviable collection, all available to purchase.
Speaking at the opening of the event, co-founder David Bagley said: “This is Salon Privé 2.0. With the new Gallery and level of cars we have launching and on display here, this is like no other automotive show that has ever been done before. Guests and exhibitors this morning have already been truly blown away over with this year’s impressive set up and displays, with an action-packed five-day event promised to follow.”
Judging is now underway for the world-class Salon Privé Concours presented by Aviva Private Clients. Sixty cars are competing for the envied Best of Show Award, with categories including Pre-War American Classics, Ferrari Racers of the 1950s, European GTs, Coachbuilding by HJ Mulliner and Supercar Pin-ups of the 80s and 90s.
The Green Collection is a fitting tribute to the Emerald Anniversary of Salon Privé and a firm highlight of the 2025 event, featuring a meticulously curated collection of rare cars in gorgeous green finishes. The private assembly of rare and distinctive green supercars and hypercars, includes a Bentley 3L Vanden Plas Le Mans, Jaguar C-X75, Koenigsegg CCR, Lamborghini Miura P400S and 1 of 1 Ferrari SF90 Ispirazioni.
Salon Privé 2025 continues at Blenheim Palace until Sunday 31st August, with an action-packed events programme and must-see displays.
Salon Privé 2025 Highlights
Thursday 28th August
Thursday at Salon Privé continues the Salon Privé Concours by Aviva Private Clients with a showcase of the world’s finest classic cars. Guests can enjoy the stunning display, the elegant Concours Parade, and the presentation of top awards, including Class Winners and the People’s Choice, as well as the permanent Green Collection, McLaren F1 showcase and Ferrari 250 GTO displays.
Friday 29th August
Friday at Salon Privé is Ladies’ Day by Boodles, which will offer a stylish celebration of fashion, luxury, and performance, as the Palace lawns come alive with colour and refinement. An eagerly awaited highlight of the summer Season, the day invites guests to dress in their finest apparel for an elegant garden party set against the grandeur of Blenheim.
Guests can enter the Boodles’ Best Hat Competition, for a chance to win a white gold pendant in white gold and a £1,000 gift card from both GATINEAU and LK Bennett. Ticketholders will enjoy a spectacular showcase of cutting-edge supercars, a celebration of 20 years of the Bugatti Veyron and a special display from the Salon Privé GT Tour, ensuring a truly memorable experience that blends high fashion with high performance.
Friday will also showcase a spectacular collection of the rarest hypercars by Apollo Capital, including a Bugatti Chiron, Ferrari SP3 Daytona, Lamborghini Sian, McLaren P1, Koenigsegg Regera, Ferrari SF90XX, Porsche GT Cup Car and many more!
Saturday 30th August
The Salon Privé Club Trophy presented by Lockton on Saturday launches a weekend of electrifying Club action with an awe-inspiring display of over 1,500 privately owned sports, super and hyper cars, all competing for the coveted Salon Privé Club Trophy. The day features thrilling supercar and classic car parades, live presentations, and a vibrant festival atmosphere.
With its unique blend of high-performance automotives and family-friendly entertainment, and a 32-strong special display by De Tomaso, (the largest number of De Tomaso models ever curated at a UK event), the Salon Privé Club Trophy will be presented by Lockton on Saturday in a Supercar celebration for visitors and enthusiasts of all ages. Entry only tickets for Saturday are already sold out.
Sunday 31st August
As a fitting conclusion to the extraordinary Salon Privé Week, the Salon Privé Supercar Lifestyle Club Day on Sunday is a new addition for 2025, set to feature the UK’s top mixed-marque Supercar and Lifestyle clubs, as well as prestigious single-marque enthusiast clubs, showcasing their exceptional vehicles across the North and South Lawns.
Alongside and presented at Blenheim Palace for the first time, the Concours de Vente features classic cars entered by some of the UK’s most reputable restorers and specialists, all of which are for sale.
Judged by motoring icon Richard Hammond, of Top Gear fame, the event will select the best cars in class and overall winner. This exciting finale promises to deliver an outstanding display of automotive passion and craftsmanship, ensuring an unforgettable end to a week of unparalleled luxury and performance.
Sunday will also host a display by SCC Supercars and Richard Hammond’s workshop, The Smallest Cog.
Tickets across the entire week of Salon Privé are priced from £55 for entry only, up to £645 for luxury hospitality. To purchase tickets to Salon Privé visit www.salonpriveconcours.com
