The 2016 Chubb Insurance Concours d’Elégance saw some of the world’s rarest and most alluring cars battle it out on the lawns of Blenheim Palace in the UK.

Leading the charge of formidable Italian thoroughbreds, an outstanding 1956 Ferrari 500 Testa Rossa fended off rivals to steal the Best of Show at the event, which was held on the first day of Salon Privé, the UKs luxury supercar show (September 1 to 3). 

It was also the winner in its Racing Improves the Breed class, with another famous Italian car, a magnificent 1954 Maserati A6 GCS Berlinetta close behind, being runner-up in the same class.  The Maserati however did pip the Ferrari to the post in the race to receive the People’s Choice award.

In tribute to the 50th anniversary of the iconic supercar, and as part of the wider Lamborghini-backed celebrations, the Lamborghini Miura anniversary class drew eight amazing examples to the concours lawns. Giving the judges a hard task in deciding a winner, the Lamborghini Miura P400SV of Adrian Labi ultimately proved the winner, with the P4000SV of Bill Heinecke finishing close behind.

Other Italian winners included the completely original 1992 Ferrari F40 which won the Dream Machines class, and a beautifully restored 1972 Dino 246 GT which won the European Grand Tourers category. The famous Ferrari 365 ‘Daytona’ caused a stir at this year’s show, with the 1971 Ferrari 365 GTS/4 taking Gone with the Wind class win, the 1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 winning Best Interior class, and the 1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 finishing runner up in European Grand Tourers class.

With over 75 exceptional classic cars and motorbikes, this year’s concours assembled some outstanding vehicles, as the competition returned to the World Heritage site of Blenheim Palace. 

“There are cars that just impress from the start, and this year the 1956 Ferrari 500 Testa Rossa wowed the judges.  Never having been seen before at a worldwide Concours, it was a sight to behold for any concours connoisseur,” said Salon Privé Managing Director & Concours Chairman Andrew Bagley. “A Testa Rossa being a rare model in itself, this car ticked all the boxes for the judges in terms of attention to detail of the restoration, provenance and racing pedigree, making it the clear, outright winner. 

Owned by Bruce Lavachek and David Cottingham, the award was particularly moving as it has been a painstaking 40-year journey for Bruce to locate the car and bring it to its now former glory, with the specialist skills of David Cottingham, owner of DK Engineering.  The car had in fact languished in a barn in Iowa and had been forgotten about since its last race in 1960.  To have the car presented at a worldwide-renowned concours, let alone with the ultimate Best of Show, is a dream that Bruce never considered could be achieved in his lifetime.”

Salon Privé 2016 incorporated the Chubb Insurance Concours d’Élégance, Boodles Ladies’ Day and The Salon Privé Supercar Show, also showcasing The Pirelli Prestige & Performance Competition, the EFG Art and Memorabilia Fair and The Salon Privé Sale. 


CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE RESULTS


AUTOMOBILES

Best in show
1956 - Ferrari 500 Testa Rossa

People’s Choice
1954 - Maserati A6 GCS Berlinetta

CLASS A - Exceptional Motorcycles 1900-1939
Winner: 1938 - BSA Gold Star
Runner up: 1932 - Brough Superior SS100

CLASS B - Exceptional Motorcycles 1940-1975 - Competition 
Winner: 1966 - BSA 500 MX GP Titanium
Runner up: 1953 - Matchless G45

CLASS C - Exceptional Motorcycles 1940-1975 - Highway 
Winner: 1969 - Honda CB750
Runner up: 1958 - Velocette Venom

CLASS D - Pre-war Coachwork 
Winner: 1934 - Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental
Runner up: 1933 - Aston Martin Le Mans Short Chassis

CLASS E - Racing Improves the Breed 
Winner: 1956 - Ferrari 500 Testa Rossa
Runner up: 1954 - Maserati A6 GCS Berlinetta

CLASS F - The Great V12 Ferraris 
Winner: 1953 - Ferrari 250 Europa Short Chassis Prototype
Runner up: 1971 - Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona

CLASS G - Porsche Racing Pedigree 
Winner: 1974 Porsche 911 3.0RS
Runner up: 1969 - Porsche 911

CLASS H - European Grand Tourers 
Winner: 1972 - Dino 246 GT
Runner up: 1971 - Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona

CLASS I - Gone With The Wind 
Winner: 1971 - Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spider
Runner up: 1961 - Bentley S2 Drophead Coupé

CLASS J - Dream Machines 
Winner: 1992 - Ferrari F40
Runner up: 1987 - Lamborghini Countach 5000QV

CLASS K - 50 years of the Lamborghini Miura 
Winner: Lamborghini Miura P400 SV (Adrian Labi A&A Premier Classic)
Runner up: Lamborghini Miura P400 SV (William Heinecke)

Special Awards
Most Original pre-war: 1933 Aston Martin Le Mans Short Chassis
Most Original Post-war: 1992 Ferrari F40
Most Sensitive Restoration: 1966 Iso Grifo
Most Elegant: 1956 Bentley S1 Continental Park Ward Drophead Coupé
Most Iconic: 1973 Lamborghini Countach LP 400 Periscopio
Most Exciting Design: 1957 Jaguar XKSS
Best Interior: 1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona
Most Exciting Recreation: 1922 Voisin C3 Strasbourg



MOTORCYCLES

Most Original Motorcycle: 1936 Norton Model 50
Most Superlative Motorcycle: 1936 Moto Guzzi 500S
Most Interesting Motorcycle: 1917 Matchless-Vickers 8B2/M Russian Military
Motorcycle Combination