RARE ROYAL EXCELLENCE COMES TO SALON PRIVÉ FOR 20TH ANNIVERSARY AT BLENHEIM PALACE

Salon Privé to play host to a unique celebration of British motoring heritage with a King’s wartime Daimler and The Princess Royal’s long-serving Middlebridge Scimitar on display

The King’s Daimler DB18 Drophead Coupé
HRH The Princess Royal’s Middlebridge Scimitar No. 5

Salon Privé is set to host a truly regal double act this summer as two historically significant royal-owned vehicles will make rare public appearances. King George VI’s 1939 Daimler DB18 Drophead Coupé and HRH The Princess Royal’s Middlebridge Scimitar No. 5 are both heading to Blenheim Palace next week for the 20th Anniversary Salon Privé.  Their joint appearance at Salon Privé 2025 offers visitors a unique opportunity to see not just fine examples of automotive craftsmanship, but personal chapters of the Royal Family history that span over eight decades of British motoring history. 

The King’s Daimler DB18 Drophead Coupé – attending Supercar Saturday & Club Trophy Day by Lockton, 30th August

Purchased in 1939 for the personal use of King George VI, this elegant Daimler is among the most celebrated royal cars still in existence. Newsreel footage from 1941 (famously shows the King himself at the wheel, accompanied by his wife the Queen Mother, Princess Margaret, and a young Princess Elizabeth. Highlighting the chassis number of the vehicle, the car is a rarity among ex-Royal vehicles as it matches official Royal Mews records, and it retains its original registration, FGJ 865.

One of only a handful of DB18s built before Daimler switched to wartime military production, the King’s example combines a pre-war DB18/1 chassis with a post-war DB18/2 engine, likely fitted in 1946 as a discreet and economical upgrade during Britain’s post-war austerity. The car has featured in Automobile Quarterly (1985) and in Daimler Century (1995) by Lord Montague and David Burgess-Wise, cementing its place in automotive history. King George’s Daimler is being brought to Salon Privé as part of the Daimler & Lanchester Owners’ Club Paddock. 

HRH The Princess Royal’s Middlebridge Scimitar No. 5 – attending Supercar Sunday & Lifestyle Club Trophy Day, 31st August

Equally captivating at Salon Privé is Middlebridge No. 5, owned by HRH The Princess Royal from new in 1988 until 2023, spanning a remarkable 35 years of single-ownership.   Princess Anne’s passion for the Scimitar began in 1971 when she received her first example, a Reliant SE5, as a joint 20th birthday and Christmas gift from the Royal Family.   The vehicle was a rare exception to Middlebridge practice, as it was regularly returned to the Lilac Grove factory for servicing, always receiving thorough inspections and meticulous care. Finished with unique touches including a Middlebridge Grille Badge, the 1420 H registration (a nod to her role as Colonel-in-Chief of the 14th/20th King’s Hussars), and a distinctive bonnet emblem believed to be a personal gift from the late Queen Elizabeth II, this Scimitar carries a deep personal connection for The Princess Royal and a regimental link honouring her military prowess. 

In 2023, the car passed to a private collector committed to preserving its originality. Mechanical updates have been minimal, with even paintwork corrections kept subtle to maintain authenticity. Today, the car is displayed at the Great British Car Journey Museum on a long-term loan. The Scimitar is being brought to the show as part of Middlebridge Enthusiasts Scimitar Set. 

Commenting on the inclusion of two royal cars at this year’s event, David Bagley, co-founder of Salon Privé, said: “These cars are far more than historic vehicles; they are living connections to the people who shaped them and cherished them. To present them on the lawns of Blenheim Palace is an honour we are excited to share with our guests. “King George VI’s Daimler DB18 is a magnificent reminder of a defining chapter in our nation’s history, while HRH The Princess Royal’s Middlebridge Scimitar reflects her genuine love of driving and her remarkable 35-year custodianship.” 

Weekend tickets for Supercar Saturday and Supercar Sunday at Salon Privé are priced from £55 for entry only, up to £645 for luxury hospitality. To purchase tickets visit www.salonpriveconcours.com