The Hurlingham Club is to throw open the elegant doors of its Georgian townhouse, set in 42 acres of prime land in London, and host an ‘exclusive garden party’ this summer (27-29 July). This is, of course, no ordinary exclusive party: for the last five years, the members-only club has played host to Salon Privé, and both modern and classic super sportscars have graced its immaculately manicured lawns.

With such a prime position vacated by Salon Privé moving to the equally rarefied atmosphere of the not-too-far-away Syon House, the Hurlingham Club has come up with the idea of hosting its own event.

At the launch evening affair, against a musical background of violin-wielding beauties, invitees were given a taste of things to come: during the three-day party more muscle will be given to performance on water and in the air, as well as on the road: under the watchful aegis of Veuve Clicquot, one of the main sponsors, a range of classic and modern vehicles were displayed outside and at the main entrance as well as indoors.

Called by the organisers a Concours d’Ήlégance (in line with tradition, as it all started twenty years ago with a Louis Vuitton-studded event at the same venue), the display is not, despite cars being arranged by categories - strictly speaking - a ‘concours’ à la Villa  D’Este or Pebble Beach, as no real formal judging is involved.

However, in the broadest possible sense, it is still a competition for party-goers’ attention, as it will include Sunseekers and Elktra tenders, riverboats and yachts on the Thames, an aviation lawn, a showcase of Helicopter (dust off your licence) and jet companies, and the supercar lawn (Pagani, Spyker and Morgan will look rather common next to the less known Arash AF10), as well as multi-million pound cars from private collections: Le Mans cars from the ‘50s and ‘60s will nestle up to Pinifarina-bodied Ferraris, Alfas and Lancias. There is even a Ferrari category for GTOs, SWBs, California Spyders and GTE.    

Diamonds, jewellery and haute couture fashion shows will complete the luxury brand galore inside the Club.  
But what about the lobster-based lunch, Salon Privé’s staple diet? Fret not, it is there. A lobster BBQ is promised together with the obligatory champagne. Veuve Clicquot, of course.