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Other high points included two Gulf Le Mans cars – a 1965 Ford GT40 and a 1970 Porsche 917K, a rare Bizzarrini Strada with 5.3litre Corvette engine and the recently-restored Ferrari 375 America, built for Gianni Agnelli in 1955. Another faultless restoration was a yellow Mercedes 300 SL roadster – one of the last made in 1963.
At the other extreme was a totally original Bugatti Type 43 from 1930, its satin black bodywork and weathered chestnut leather bearing all the scars of a long career. The display also included a great selection of American V8 muscle cars including a rare Plymouth ‘Roadrunner’ Superbird, one of the Hertz Mustang GT350H cars from 1966 and a very original 1969 ‘Bullitt’ Dodge 440R/T Charger.
Members of the various judging groups included Fabrizio Giugiaro, Lorenzo Ramaciotti (Pininfarina), Leonardo Fioravanti, Roberto Piatti (Bertone), Patrick le Quément (Renault), Donato Coco (Citroën), Shiro Nakamura (Nissan), Wahei Hirai (Toyota), Harm Laagay (Porsche), Ian Cameron (Rolls Royce), Dirk van Braeckel (Bentley), Simon Cox (GM), Peter Stevens (MG Rover), Martin Smith, David Woodhouse (Ford), Frank Stephenson (Ferrari), and Olivier Boulay (Mitsubishi).
Chief judges were Christian Philippsen (co-founder of the Louis Vuitton Classic, and part of the Car Design News team), and well-known classic car expert and journalist Mick Walsh
A unique feature of the Louis Vuitton Classic is the Sheer Pleasure Award for which an all-female team choose the perfect car for a romantic weekend escape. This year’s team included TV presenter and racer Vikki Butler-Henderson, model Yasmin le Bon and actresses Jodie Kidd and Martine McCutcheon, who jointly chose the luscious Ferrari Dino 246S for their escape. Spotted amongst other various celebrities attending this years event were Jay Kay, Nick Mason, Mark Knopfler, Denise van Outen and Charlotte Church while the day was rounded off with evening entertainment provided by soul legend Lionel Richie.
Hopefully, more manufacturers might be encouraged to present their design concepts at such an event in future - it certainly beats the typical ‘rugby scrum’ of a press launch at a traditional Motor Show.
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Study in chrome: 1931 Cadillac 452A V16 originally owned by the Maharaja of Tikari
Lovely unrestored Bugatti Type 43 Grand Sport
Best Restoration: Mercedes 300SL roadster entered by Peter Livanos
Design Award: 1953 Zagato-bodied FIAT 8V
2003 Pininfarina Enjoy
2003 Pininfarina Enjoy with new interior
Dodge 440 R/T Charger and 1970 Plymouth ‘long snout’ Superbird
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Main Results
- Louis Vuitton Classic (Best of Show by the jury): 1932 Rolls-Royce Phantom 2
- Waddeson Visitors Favourite (public choice): 1955 Ferrari 375 America (Agnelli car)
- Design Award (Renault Design): 1953 Zagato-bodied Fiat 8V
- Best Restoration: 1963 Mercedes 300SL roadster
- Sheer Pleasure Award: 1959 Ferrari Dino 246S
Louis Vuitton website: www.vuitton.com
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