Two-wheelers at Blenheim Palace

While the exclusive Salon Privé Concours d’Elégance is well-known for the pristine presentation of hugely expensive classic cars, the recent inclusion of motorcycles is perhaps not as obvious. However, for the third year running, the event is set to include two classes for two-wheeled machinery when the event returns to Blenheim Palace on September 23 (and, yes, that is a Wednesday).

Those classes are The

Exceptional Motorcycles, and Exceptional Competition Motorcycles categories, with the aim being that “visitors will get to see the great café racers of the 1950s and ’60s, to choppers from the 1970s and wacky racers from the 1980s”. The class winners and runners-up are selected by the jury, while the top prize, Most Spectacular Motorbike, is chosen by the Duke of Marlborough himself.

Several fantastic motorcycles have already been confirmed for the prestigious concours, including a rare and valuable 1974 Ducati 750SS ‘Green Frame.’ One of only 401 produced, all of which were hand-built and overseen by technical boss Fabio Taglioni, this particular example was sourced from Spain by its current owner and returned to the UK for a full restoration. Together with a 1976 750SS by Newton Engineering and a 1975 900SS that have also been entered, it completes a full set of iconic round and square-case Ducati V-twin motorcycles. It will be the first time three examples of this kind have been exhibited together in the UK.

The Blenheim Palace lawns will also see displays of modern machinery from MV Agusta as they celebrate their 75th anniversary, and also British manufacturers CCM and the recently launched bike brand, Langen Motorcycles, who will be displaying their 250cc twostroke V-twin, due to retail at a surprising £30,000!

More details about the event can be found at www. salonpriveconcours.com