I spent last Friday afternoon at a very elegant car show called Salon Privé, held at the wide green expanses of Fulham’s Hurlingham Club which specialises in lawn tennis, bowls and croquet. I used to come to the club as a child a lot, and was a member here until a few years ago until my job and my home moved so far away so as to not make it worthwhile. It is not actually that expensive to be a member – probably no more than an average city-centre gym. What is harder is the waiting list – around 12 years or so.
When Tom Cruise was spending time in London a while ago he enquired about membership; they said “yes of course” – and directed the unimpressed superstar to the back of the queue.
It’s a marvellous place – dozens of lush green acres by the Thames in the middle of one of the most overcrowded parts of an overcrowded city.
One of the reasons I wanted to go – other than it making a great story and photo gallery – was that my dad is still a member and suggested it – and there can be few things better than spending a summer afternoon with some fine cars and my old man whom I love seeing and chatting with about anything and everything.
I run into fellow car-hack Emma Parker-Bowles whom I know vaguely – being the motoring correspondent of The Tatler (as well as The Sun!), this event has her written all over it, and indeed she was one of the competition judges as well a prize giver. She introduces me to a nice chap from the Supercar Club; I express an interest in covering one of their rallies – he is positive, but cautions that some of his members are very antsy about publicity.
Generally speaking, the richer they are the less interested they get into such issues, and indeed some of the wealthiest people in the UK get talked about not one jot – which suits them and helps to keep robbers, kidnappers and the Inland Revenue at bay too.
There are some mighty fine cars – look out for our story any minute – and I think I agree with the judges that Jay Kay’s Maserati was the nicest car. Funnily enough when Jay Kay goes up to collect his prize my dad (who is not as in touch with yoof culture as he might be) says – in a loud voice – “Who is he?” just as the man walks by. I whisper delicately “pop star” in response. He gave me a nice photo on his way back through the throng.
Afterwards, my dad tried out a Maybach for size (see below), but his favourite car is also the cheapest – a £25,000 Morgan Aero 8. I have to dissuade him from making too many disparaging loud comments about the – how shall I put it? – more exuberantly styled cars such as the Gumpert Apollo.
All in all a very fine and pleasant afternoon.
Tom
Photos – clockwise from top left:
– Gumpert Apollo
– The lush greens of the Hurlingham Club
– Jay Kay’s prize winning Maserati
– Me at wheel of the new Maserati Gran Turismo
– My dad in the back of a Maybach
– Jay Kay
Inside Track 