This August, the grandeur of Blenheim Palace will once again host the Salon Privé Concours d’Elégance, now in its 19th year. Among the many spectacular displays, one theme stands out: the celebration of motorsport’s iconic sponsorship art. The Legendary Liveries Class will feature some of the most famous competition cars, whose striking sponsor graphics have become synonymous with their racing successes.
Lancia Stratos HF: The Alitalia Legend
The mid-1970s rally scene was dominated by the Lancia Stratos HF, famously adorned with the green, red, and white colors of Alitalia, Italy’s national airline. Commissioned by Lancia to replace the Fulvia 1.6 HF, the Stratos was designed by Bertone’s Marcello Gandini. His radical wedge-shaped, two-seater design was based on the 1970 Stratos Zero concept and officially launched at the Turin Motor Show in 1971. Powered by Ferrari’s Dino V6 engine, the Stratos was a formidable force in rallying.
One of the highlights of the Salon Privé display is the Lancia Stratos HF with chassis number 829ARO001637, known simply as ‘1637’. Assembled in 1974, this car was a test vehicle for the 1975 Safari Rally, equipped with unique modifications for the grueling African terrain. Driven by Vic Preston Jnr and co-driver John Lyall, ‘1637’ achieved an impressive 11th overall finish, narrowly missing a top-ten spot.
Subaru Impreza WRC97: The 555 Icon
Another star of the show is the 1996 Subaru Impreza WRC97, chassis #PRO/WRC/97001, bearing the distinctive blue and yellow ‘555’ livery. This design became synonymous with Subaru’s World Rally Championship (WRC) dominance in the mid-1990s. Despite the end of Subaru’s sponsorship deal with British American Tobacco in 1993, the carmaker continued to use the ‘555’ design due to its strong association with their racing success.
Chassis #97001 was pivotal in the development of Subaru’s 1997 WRC car, laying the groundwork for the team’s success that year. With Colin McRae behind the wheel, this car was crucial in securing eight out of fourteen WRC round victories for Subaru, leading to their manufacturers’ championship win.
Group C Titans: The Silk Cut Jaguar and Rothmans Porsche
The Legendary Liveries Class also pays homage to Group C legends like the Silk Cut Jaguar XJR-8/9 and the Rothmans Porsche 962. The Silk Cut Jaguar, with its iconic purple and white livery, was a dominant force in the World Sportscar Championship, including victories at Le Mans. Similarly, the Rothmans Porsche 962, with its blue and white livery, is one of the most recognizable cars in racing history, securing numerous wins and pole positions during its campaign.
The Salon Privé Concours d’Elégance not only celebrates the engineering excellence of these iconic cars but also the artistic flair of their liveries. The Legendary Liveries Class is a tribute to the bold and unforgettable identities created through motorsport sponsorship, evoking a sense of nostalgia and admiration among enthusiasts. As Andrew Bagley, Concours Chairman of Salon Privé, aptly puts it, “Our Legendary Liveries Class proves that commercialism in motorsport has brought some very bold and unforgettable identities to competition cars over the years.”
For those eager to witness this extraordinary collection, the Salon Privé Concours presented by Aviva Private Clients runs from August 28-29, 2024. Tickets are available at Salon Privé Concours.
