Cars

From 120 entries, more than 70 entrants were invited to have their Jaguars judged by the panel which, alongside Callum and Hannig, consisted of myself, long-standing Jaguar Heritage expert Tony O’Keeffe, Royal architect Graham Sharpe, and Octane magazine editor David Lillywhite. The day started with us gathering for a coffee to discuss the focal points of our judging criteria, and then heading out for an initial look around the field to narrow down the most promising candidates in each class.

A mixed bag

The reasons for this radical decision are reduced emissions and decreased fuel consumption. Consequently, the engine of choice for the 2016 Carrera and Carrera S is an all-new, 3-litre, twin-turbocharged, six-cylinder boxer. “The normally aspirated six-cylinder is a famous engine in the 911, but we face some challenges, not only in terms of fuel consumption and emissions, but also from our competitors,” says senior Porsche engineer Dr Erhard Mössle.

Location, location, location

The event’s organisers once again went with the unique ‘all cars are winners’ formula, so none of the cars was singled out by the steering committee for individual prizes – although the owners’ choice ‘Best in Show’ award went to the earliest machine at the event, the 1903 Mercedes 60HP Simplex. In the end, it was the car’s complex engineering combined with the female crew’s tenacity (and surprising speed) on the pre-Concours tour that earned the votes of their driving peers.

Mixed messages

Consignment

For 2015, Salon Privé was relocated to Blenheim Palace, a grand venue that couldn’t be more ideal for hosting a beauty pageant, both in the automotive and human senses. 

Hard-fought competition

A road trip to remember

HRH Prince Michael of Kent and the Bentley 4¼ Litre