A 1938 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Cabriolet A has been named Best of Show at the 2021 Salon Privé Concours d’Elégance presented by Aviva. 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.
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’s a spellbinding example of a model that is renowned as being among the most coveted of all pre-war cars.
The Concours d’Elégance presented by Aviva is the traditional curtain-raiser to Salon Privé 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’Elégance presented by Aviva 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.
The 60th anniversary of the Jaguar E-type was celebrated throughout this year’s Salon Privé 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 Nöcker. 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.
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.
The Pre-War Sports class also attracted a strong entry, with an extremely original and beautifully restored SS 100 3½ 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 4½ Litre Vanden Plas tourer owned new by company saviour Woolf Barnato.
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.
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.
The Churchill Cup for Most Exceptional Design was awarded to a 1972 De Tomaso Mangusta. ‘Our mission was to look at the aesthetics of a car from a designer’s point of view,’ said legendary racer Derek Bell, who was part of the judging panel. ‘We 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’d made the right choice.’
Former Aston Martin and Jaguar designer Ian Callum added: ‘It has such beauty and real impact, and it’s a very pure design. There’s a totality to it – the whole picture ties together perfectly.’ The Mangusta also won the Low-Slung Sports class.
A 1955 Aston Martin DB2 that was driven on the Monte-Carlo Rally deservedly picked up two prizes – the Preservation Award and People’s Choice. Ken Carter was a noted 500cc racer in the early 1950s and, having completed the Monte-Carlo Rally twice before, he entered the Aston Martin on the 1956 event with his friend Robert D Ropner. He later sold the car with no mention of its rallying history because he felt it would be detrimental to its value!
Salon Privé Director Andrew Bagley said: ‘The entry for this year’s Concours d’Elégance was absolutely superb, and we must congratulate everyone who brought their cars to Blenheim Palace and all of the class winners. The beautiful Mercedes-Benz 540 K was a very worthy recipient of our coveted Best of Show award, and truly epitomised the grace and elegance of the late 1930s.’
2021 Salon Privé Concours d’Elégance presented by Aviva Award Winners
Best in Show – 1938 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Cabriolet A Singelfenden
Class A: Competition Motorcycles – 1951 Moto Guzzi 500cc Bicilindrica
Class B: Exceptional Motorcycles – 1975 MV Agusta 750 Sport
Class C: Early Pioneers – 1904 Cadillac 8¼hp Model B Rear-Entrance Tonneau
Class D: Pre-War Tourers – 1938 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Cabriolet A Singelfenden
Class E: Pre-War Sports – 1938 SS 100 3½ Litre Roadster
Class F: Fit for a King – 1937 Rolls-Royce Phantom III Sedanca de Ville by Arthur Mulliner
Class G: Racing Greats – 1965 Ford GT40 Mk1
Class H: Post-War Open – 1962 Aston Martin DB2 Drophead Coupé
Class I: Post-War Closed (European) – 1950 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS Villa d’Este Coupé by Touring
Class J: Post-War Closed (British) – 1954 Austin-Healey 100/4 BN1 Coupé by D’Ieteren Frères
Class K: Post-War Tourers – 1946 Tatra T87 Aerodynamic Saloon
Class L: Pininfarina Design – 1963 Alfa Romeo Giulia 1600 Spider 101 Series
Class M: 60 Years of the Jaguar E-type – 1963 Jaguar Lightweight ‘The Lindner Low-Drag’
Class N: Low-Slung Sports – 1972 De Tomaso Mangusta by Ghia
Class O: Classics of the Future – 1993 Jaguar XJ220
Class P: Rolling Bones Hot Rods – 1932 Ford 3-Window Coupe
Preservation Award – 1955 Aston Martin DB2 rally car
People’s Choice – 1955 Aston Martin DB2 Monte-Carlo Rally Car
Churchill Cup – 1972 De Tomaso Mangusta
Duke of Marlborough Award – 1949 Bentley Mk VI Light Touring Saloon by Hooper & Co
Duke of Marlborough Award (Motorcycles) – 1901 Triumph Minerva
Chairman’s Award – 1951 Jaguar XK 120 OTS
Spirit Award – 1903 Panhard et Levassor 80hp
Most Exceptional Coachwork – 1927 Rolls-Royce 20hp Tourer by Barker
Most Opulent – 1931 Bentley 8 Litre Park Ward Four-Door Sports Saloon
Coup de Coeur – 1937 Talbot-Lago T15 Cabriolet by Worblaufen
Best Interior – 1947 Bentley Mk VI Cabriolet by Franay
Most Elegant – 1965 Ferrari 275 GTS
Most Iconic – 1966 Jaguar E-type 4.2 GT FHC
