
Belgravia Classic Car Show Turns Belgrave Square into a Motoring ‘Garden of Eden’
Petal power met metal power on Sunday 24th June, when over 150 classic cars took over Belgrave Square for the second hugely successful Belgravia Classic Car Show, organised by the 96 Club in partnership with Grosvenor Britain & Ireland and the Belgrave Square Events Committee, supported by Chestertons Estate Agents.
The bumper crop of cars exhibited across the five-acre garden – and in Belgrave Square itself – included such rarities as a Lotus 6 racing car, the original ‘Persuaders’ Aston Martin DBS 1970, a Jaguar XJR15 and the 1934 ‘Steady Special’ bespoke Lancia Astura displayed in the ‘Inner Circle’ of the show.
These were all considered for the inaugural ‘Best in Show’ trophy awarded by Sotheby’s, but the winner was a stunning 1933 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental by Gurney Nutting coachbuilders, owned by Peter Blond.
Blond, who has completely restored the car which he has owned for 50 years, was presented with the trophy by the Lord Mayor of Westminster, Cllr Lindsey Hall, who remarked that he “must have been polishing the car every day since he bought it”.
The runners-up awards went to a WB120 Special Mk1 owned by Roy Campbell and acustomised by owner Kenneth Chapman. The Maserati GT of Ash Chalak from Scuderia Scaglieti was considered the ‘Most Original’ car by the judges.
Many of the vehicles on display were contributed by members of Tigose and the 96 Club and classic car dealers including: Barkaways, Hemmels, JD Classics, Kensington Motor Company, Renaissance Classics, Scuderia Scaglieti and Sports Classics London. The resulting eclectic collection included concours examples and ‘daily drivers’ representing eight decades of automotive history and was admired by 2500 visitors (an increase of 40 per cent over last year’s attendance), who were also treated to a special fly past by a Lancaster Bomber, as well as music by the Mississippi Swamp Dogs.
We were also delighted to welcome many of you to the first ‘Midsummer Celebration’ held on Saturday in Chesham Place. This preview event offered the 96 Club and Tigose’s guests the chance to meet old and new friends and admire an array of stunning vehicles showcased by Tigose members and the other classic car specialists present at the show as well as Michael Scott’s Steady Special, a Jaguar XJR 15 and the incredible art deco inspired Eclat from Eadon Green.