Salon Prive 2012

Having missed Salon Prive in 2011, I was interested to see how the event now being held at Syon Park, the home of the Duke of Northumberland, compared to the previous event I attended at The Hurlingham Club.

Andrew and David Bagley put on an excellent event, which is akin to a garden party for petrolheads, this year I attended on the Thursday which is Boodles Ladies’ Day. The main Sponsors for the event being POMMERY, VERTU, BOODLES, CHUBB, AUDEMARS PIGUET, CARS SWISSVAX and JETFLY

If you love cars, and this year additionally bikes, Salon Prive is something of a revelation. The food and drink are superb and all included in the entry price, and the cars showcased in the stunning setting of Syon Park. Although busy, everything is very relaxed and accessible, it’s a great place to meet up with friends old and new, and to admire some stunning modern and classic cars.

This year there was a celebration of 25 years of the Ferrari F40 and the Mercedes-Benz Gullwing, still gorgeous at 60. Both marques very well represented.

The Boodles Best-Dressed Lady Parade also proved a popular distraction with some lovely ladies being paraded round the grounds in a selection of the classic cars.

On a personal note, it was great to sit and chat with Steve Parrish former team mate of Barry Sheene,and catch up with motorbike guru Malcolm Wheeler a fellow inhabitant of Louth. Also being in the same room as the legend that is Derek Bell was a bit special.

I was also able to meet the lads from Swissvax and Ian Cook @popbangcolour an incredibly talented artist, as well as the other exhibitors all in a relaxed environment.

All in all a great day out, with some amazing people and stunning cars all in a great setting. I will certainly not miss 2013