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Historic Geneva Show Cars To Feature At Salon Privé Concours At Blenheim Palace
A trio of rare pre-production cars from the 1950s and ‘60s, originally showcased at the Geneva International Motor Show, will be displayed at Blenheim Palace next month. These vehicles will feature in the Salon Privé Concours presented by Aviva on 28-29 August 2024. The event marks the 19th year of Salon Privé, known as ‘The UK’s most exclusive automotive garden party’.
Each car represents a significant chapter in automotive history. The 1951 Mercedes-Benz 300 S Cabriolet A, the 1960 Maserati 3500 GT Spyder, and the 1961 Jaguar E-Type were pivotal models for their manufacturers. Their presence at Blenheim is especially poignant given that the Geneva International Motor Show's organisers announced earlier this year that the 2024 event would be its last.
The Mercedes-Benz 300 S Cabriolet A was first revealed in prototype form at the Paris Motor Show in October 1951. This model used the same engine and basic suspension design as the renowned 300 SL ‘Gullwing’. It featured a cross-braced, oval-tube separate chassis, shortened by 15cm compared to its saloon counterpart. The car was hand-built at Mercedes’ Sindelfingen factory.
The cabin of the Cabriolet A was lavishly trimmed with soft leather and had chromium-plated instruments set into a burr walnut dashboard. The lined hood of this model offered refinement comparable to that of the fixed-roof Coupe. Chassis #188 010 0004/51 is notable for being the first factory pre-production model, completed just in time for its appearance at the Geneva Show in March 1952.
The Maserati 3500 GT Spyder was a breakthrough model for Maserati, moving it into series production from low-volume production. Designed by Giovanni Michelotti and built by Alfredo Vignale, this open-top model differed from its Coupé counterpart with a shorter wheelbase and steel body construction. Mechanically identical to the Coupé, it featured a powerful inline six-cylinder engine producing 220hp.
Chassis #AM101.0727 is a matching numbers pre-production car and includes unique design features not seen on final production models. This particular Spyder was presented at the Geneva Show in 1960 with a correct wheelbase that would go into production later. After its show debut, it was sold by Maserati’s Swiss importers to an owner who kept it until his death in the late '70s.
Jaguar E-Type Coupé
The Jaguar E-Type Coupé is celebrated for its style, performance, and affordability. Launched at the Geneva Show in March 1961, it featured advanced engineering and a beautiful body design by Malcolm Sayer. Equipped with all-round independent suspension and disc brakes, it marked a significant departure from its predecessor, the XK150.
Chassis #885005 played a central role during its launch at Le Gastronomic du Parc des Eaux Vives on March 15, 1961. Initially built as a roadster chassis, it was modified to match the Coupé used for demonstration drives. Post-Geneva, it was registered in Switzerland and sold to CAP Assurances before undergoing extensive restoration to represent how it appeared in Geneva in 1961.
Andrew Bagley, Concours Chairman of Salon Privé stated: "We are delighted to have such a unique group of pre-production cars that would have created so much publicity for their respective manufacturers back in the day now presented in the Salon Privé Concours."
This year's Salon Privé Concours promises to be an exceptional event celebrating these historic vehicles while marking an end to an era with the final Geneva International Motor Show.
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