London’s spring automotive calendar reached its peak this month as Salon Privé’s two-part showcase brought some of the world’s most extraordinary cars to the heart of the capital. What began on Sloane Street concluded in the storied grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, and the combined result was nothing short of a statement of intent from one of Britain’s most prestigious motoring events.
Sloane Street Sets the Scene
The curtain-raiser came on Saturday 11 April, when the inaugural Sloane Street Concours transformed one of Knightsbridge’s most glamorous thoroughfares into an open-air celebration of automotive excellence. The street came alive with 25 hypercars, classic cars and restomods, set against the storied frontages of Fendi, Louis Vuitton, Dior and Bottega Veneta. It was a bold and fitting backdrop — and the public responded in kind. The free event drew over 20,000 visitors to the famous shopping district, a remarkable turnout that underscored just how much appetite exists for world-class cars being brought out of the concours tent and into everyday London life.
The theme of ‘Old vs New’ gave the curation real narrative pull, pairing rare classics with their modern counterparts in a way that felt considered rather than simply spectacular. Crowds were eager to see the new Aston Martin Valhalla and Ferrari SF90 XX alongside classics including a McLaren F1 GTR and a Ferrari 250 California, as well as boutique manufacturers’ wares such as the Encor S1 and the Automotive Artisans R33. Joe Macari brought along a Maserati MC12 GT1 racing car, an ex-Soper McLaren F1 GTR and a Ferrari 250 duo — SWB and California.
Judging was handled by a panel of Royal College of Art automotive design students, a neat choice that brought fresh eyes to the competition. The awards reflected the breadth of the line-up: the Aston Martin Valhalla took Best Coachwork, while Automotive Artisans’ R33 — inspired by the 1968 Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 Stradale — was awarded Best Overall Design. Ferrari’s SF90 XX claimed Best Supercar, the Koenigsegg Jesko took Best Hypercar, and the McLaren F1 GTR earned Best Track Car. The Ferrari 250 California Spyder was honoured as Best Classic, while the People’s Choice Award went to the Gordon Murray Automotive T.50S.
Three Days in Chelsea
With that kind of momentum behind it, Salon Privé London arrived at the Royal Hospital Chelsea from 16 to 18 April carrying considerable expectation — and it delivered. Set against immaculate lawns and iconic architecture, the three-day event blended automotive excellence with refined lifestyle sophistication, featuring global premieres, hypercars, supercars, and the latest breakthroughs in design, performance, and engineering innovation.
New for 2026, a daily Grid Walk was introduced each morning ahead of the Manufacturers’ Parade, featuring single-marque displays across three days: Koenigsegg on Thursday, Aston Martin Valhalla on Friday and Maserati on Saturday — including the MC20 and MC12 models. It was a smart structural addition that gave each day its own distinct energy rather than simply repeating the same spectacle.
Thursday’s Grand Opening Day drew collectors and enthusiasts seeking exclusive first looks at global and European debut models, while the Concours de Vente — featuring over 30 esteemed classic car dealers including Furlonger, Hilton & Moss, Joe Macari, Fiskens, Tom Hartley and Dylan Miles — competed for the coveted Prix d’Honneur. The unique format, which allowed any visitor to purchase an entry vehicle on the spot, continued to distinguish the competition from traditional concours formats.
Friday brought the return of Ladies’ Day, sponsored by Gatineau, combining the Best Hat Competition with Pommery champagne and live entertainment. A Lotus Drivers Club display celebrating 50 years of the brand added a touch of anniversary warmth to the day’s proceedings, and the Concours de Vente prize-giving concluded with the presentation of the Pensioners’ Choice and People’s Choice trophies alongside the Prix d’Honneur.
Supercar Saturday closed proceedings in characteristically exuberant fashion. Highlights included a curated colour display by SCC and ‘Maserati Through the Ages’ by Maserati Club UK, complemented by luxury boutiques, interactive attractions, and retail experiences. Porsche Club GB also marked its 65th anniversary with a dedicated display.
The Debuts That Turned Heads
Among the specialist showcases, two newcomers stood out. Encor Design presented its Series 1 — a remastered evolution of the Lotus Esprit featuring a lightweight carbon-fibre body and refined modern engineering, with production limited to just 50 examples worldwide. Analogue Automotive, meanwhile, unveiled its VHPK: a lightweight, driver-focused performance car built around a central seating position and engineered to deliver an uncompromising, analogue driving experience. Both cars were emblematic of a broader movement toward low-volume, high-craft machines that Salon Privé has always championed.
The wider manufacturer roster was formidable, with confirmed presences from AN-Y1, Aston Martin, Brabus, Electrogenic, Bugatti, Koenigsegg UK, Lotus, McLaren, Pagani, Polestar and the Porsche Retail Group, alongside specialists including Auto Vivendi and Krazy Horse.
A Show That Knows What It Is
Since its launch in 2005, Salon Privé has built a strong reputation for delivering high-end automotive experiences, and approaching its 20th anniversary, the brand continues to attract collectors, enthusiasts and industry figures alike. This year’s edition — with its two-venue, city-and-garden format — felt like the most considered iteration yet. The Sloane Street Concours proved that exceptional cars don’t need to be locked behind ticket barriers to create genuine excitement, while the Royal Hospital Chelsea grounds gave the full event the space and prestige to match the quality of the cars on display.
As Andrew Bagley, Chairman and co-founder of Salon Privé, put it: seeing unique cars enjoyed by a broad London audience is exactly what the event set out to achieve. On the evidence of April 2026, it achieved that and then some.