Salon Privé London has crowned this stunning 1970 Monteverdi 375L as the Prix d’Honneur winner at its 2026 Concours de Vente, held at the historic Royal Hospital Chelsea. Presented by Alan Carrington Classic Cars, the Monteverdi triumphed over a field of 80 classic and modern cars, all of which were offered for sale during the three-day event.
More than 18,000 guests attended Salon Privé London 2026, which brought together collector-grade cars, luxury retail, and curated brand experiences.
What Makes The Monteverdi 375L So Special?
Swiss manufacturer Monteverdi never built cars in huge numbers, which is exactly why enthusiasts love them. The 375L was a hand-built luxury GT coupe that mixed Italian styling with American V8 power. Only 65 units were ever built, and this winning example is the best of the lot. Finished in Seychelles Blue, it’s powered by a 7.2-litre Chrysler V8 paired with a four-speed manual gearbox.
- One of just 65 examples built
- Front-engine, rear-wheel drive grand tourer layout
- 2+2 seating configuration
- Fresh from a nine-year restoration by Alan Carrington’s team
Why Did This Monteverdi Win Salon Privé?
According to organisers, this car stood out for its rarity, elegance, and restoration quality. In concours language, that means it looked sensational, had serious historical value, and was restored with the finesse it deserves.
Judging duties were handled by a panel including motoring writer Keith Bluemel, Tony Willis, Thomas Howarth, and photographer Freddie Atkins. Against exotic machinery from the likes of Ferrari, Jaguar, BMW, and even motorsport legends, the Monteverdi winning outright says plenty.
Which Cars Won Awards At Salon Privé London 2026?
The Monteverdi claimed best-in-show honours, but this show brought together the best cars in the world, therefore a few other cars took home some awards:
- Class 1 Winner: 1965 Mercedes-Benz 230 SL, Bruce Greetham Classic Benz
- Class 2 Winner: 2005 Ferrari 575 Superamerica HGTC, Joe Macari Performance Cars
- Class 3 Winner and Prix d’Honneur: 1970 Monteverdi 375L, Alan Carrington Classic Cars
- Class 4 Winner: 1976 BMW Motorsport 3.5 CSL Werks Gp 5, Dylan Miles
- Pensioners’ Trophy: 1949 Jaguar XK120 OTS, Car Iconics
- People’s Choice: 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Competizione, Joe Macari Performance Cars
What Else Happened At Salon Privé London 2026?
The concours was only part of the show. Visitors also saw displays from Koenigsegg, Aston Martin, Maserati, Porsche clubs, Lotus clubs, specialist builders, and even included limited-production supercars.
Why This Win Matters To The Classic Car Industry?
The Monteverdi 375L isn’t a mainstream icon like a Ferrari Daytona or Aston Martin DB6. It’s rarer, more obscure, and arguably cooler because of it. A Swiss-bodied coupe with a giant Chrysler V8 beating big names at a major concours? That’s the kind of result petrolheads love. It rewards originality, engineering weirdness, and the sort of automotive bravery the industry could use more of today.
