Amidst the raft of cancelled and postponed events due to COVID-19, Salon Privé is pressing on with plans to run the world-famous concours as planned, and will break new ground this year by being the first to feature virtual judging.

The event, held on the lawns of Blenheim Palace from September 23-26, hopes its open-air setting can help to beat the virus, and also plans to deal with the multiple global travel restrictions by connecting 30 international judges via the first-ever live-streamed virtual judging process. Created in partnership with the International Chief Judge Advisory Group (ICJAG), the process will allow the specialists live video and imagery of the Concours d’Elégance submissions, and additional experts will be on hand physically to answer specific questions from the judging panel. The entire event will also be available via a live stream to the public.

Ed Gilbertson, president of the jury for the event, said: “We’re excited to be conducting the first virtual judging. Experienced judges will use the same time-tested judging forms and guidelines as physical shows. Salon Privé is crossing a portal into the future world.” The stars of this year’s event will be one of just eight cabriolet 1931 Hispano-Suiza J12s, a 1904 Napier L49 and even a 2019 McLaren Senna hypercar.