{"id":499391,"date":"2021-09-06T20:25:21","date_gmt":"2021-09-07T03:25:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportscardigest.com\/\/?p=122733"},"modified":"2024-12-29T17:12:08","modified_gmt":"2024-12-29T17:12:08","slug":"mercedes-benz-540k-wins-salon-prive-concours-delegance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/mercedes-benz-540k-wins-salon-prive-concours-delegance\/","title":{"rendered":"Salon Priv\u00e9 (2021) – Mercedes-Benz 540K Wins"},"content":{"rendered":"

A 1938 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Cabriolet A has been named Best of Show at the 2021 Salon Priv\u00e9 Concours d\u2019El\u00e9gance presented by Aviva<\/em>. The sensational German thoroughbred wowed judges and visitors alike, and was part of a keenly contested Pre-War Tourers class that lined up directly in front of the majestic Blenheim Palace.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Best in Show -1938 Mercedes-Benz 540K abriolet A Sindelfingen<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Mercedes-Benz is chassis number 154076, which was delivered on February 5, 1938, to Tauentzien-Verlag, a Berlin advertising agency whose proprietor was Georg Niedermeier. It features a unique specification that combines the two-seater Cabriolet A coachwork with the longer-wheelbase chassis, as well as an engine and gearbox that are set back by almost 20cm. It\u2019s a spellbinding example of a model that is renowned as being among the most coveted of all pre-war cars.<\/p>\n

The Concours d\u2019El\u00e9gance presented by Aviva <\/em>is the traditional curtain-raiser to Salon Priv\u00e9 Week. As one of the most prestigious such events in the world, it is a Partner Concours to the Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award and features a panel of judges who are all renowned experts in their respective fields. Class winners in the 2021 Concours d\u2019El\u00e9gance presented by Aviva <\/em>included everything from a 1901 Triumph motor bicycle to a 1993 Jaguar XJ220, via coachbuilt French beauties, Italian sports-racers, and even Rolling Bones hot-rods.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Preservation and People’s Choice Award -1 955 Aston Martin DB2 Monte Carlo Rally Car.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The 60th anniversary of the Jaguar E-type was celebrated throughout this year\u2019s Salon Priv\u00e9 Week, and there was a class dedicated to the ground-breaking British sports car. The judges eventually gave the nod to the unique 1963 low-drag Lightweight that was raced in period by the German pairing of Peter Lindner and Peter N\u00f6cker. Decades after suffering a tragic crash in the 1964 Paris 1000km, the E-type was painstakingly rebuilt using more than 90 per cent of the original bodywork.<\/p>\n

There were more competition cars to be found in the Racing Greats class, which was won by an ex-Ford France 1965 GT40 Mk1 that retains its original engine, gearbox, running gear and bodywork. The judges recognised that it was a rare example of a GT40 that has remained in period condition and not been modified for use in modern historic racing.<\/p>\n

The Pre-War Sports class also attracted a strong entry, with an extremely original and beautifully restored SS 100 3\u00bd Litre Roadster getting the nod. The rakish sports car was selected ahead of some particularly significant Bentleys, included a 3 Litre that was part of the factory team for the 1927 Le Mans 24 Hours, and a 4\u00bd Litre Vanden Plas tourer owned new by company saviour Woolf Barnato.<\/p>\n

Covid restrictions prevented 90 years of Pininfarina being celebrated in 2020, so instead there was a class dedicated to the revered Italian design house in 2021. Against fierce Ferrari opposition, judges awarded top spot to a 1963 Alfa Romeo Giulia 1600 Spider. One of only 404 right-hand-drive Giulia 1600 Spiders produced for the UK, Australian and South African markets, it had been restored to perfection between 2014 and 2016.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH AWARD -1949 Bentley Mark VI Light Touring Saloon.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

One of the most eye-catching displays belonged to the Fit for a King class. The winner was an elegant 1937 Rolls-Royce Phantom III that is one of only three cars to feature Sedanca de Ville coachwork by Arthur Mulliner with a Thrupp & Maberly sliding roof over the driver. Lining up alongside was a 1949 Bentley Mk VI Light Touring Saloon that was chosen to receive the Duke of Marlborough Award by the event host. The Hooper-bodied car is finished in an extravagant two-tone paint scheme and was delivered new to HH Maharaja of Mysore, Sir Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Churchill Cup – 1972 DeTomaso Mangusta.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Churchill Cup for Most Exceptional Design was awarded to a 1972 De Tomaso Mangusta. \u2018Our mission was to look at the aesthetics of a car from a designer\u2019s point of view,\u2019 said legendary racer Derek Bell, who was part of the judging panel. \u2018We looked at every car here, and it was incredibly difficult. We eventually selected our top three and then held a vote. The Mangusta had a simple elegance about it, and when it drove up onto the stage we knew that we\u2019d made the right choice.\u2019<\/p>\n

Former Aston Martin and Jaguar designer Ian Callum added: \u2018It has such beauty and real impact, and it\u2019s a very pure design. There\u2019s a totality to it \u2013 the whole picture ties together perfectly.\u2019 The Mangusta also won the Low-Slung Sports class.<\/p>\n