Salon Privé, the epitome of elegance in the automotive world, has once again brought together some of the most iconic and unforgettable machines from the history of motorsport. This year’s focus is on the liveries that have adorned these legendary cars, each a symbol of the brand’s heritage and the stories they’ve written on the tarmac. From the brutal Group C era to the gritty rally stages, these cars are more than mere machines — they’re canvases of motorsport history.

The Art of Branding in Motorsport

Motorsport has always been a blend of speed, engineering, and spectacle. But there’s another element that makes it unforgettable — the art of branding. The liveries on these cars are part of the cars’ identity. The colours, logos, and designs are burned into our memories, making these machines instantly recognisable.

Salon Privé has masterfully curated a selection of these iconic liveries, showcasing the partnership between artistry and speed. Among the stars of the show are two rally legends that are as famous for their performances as they are for the brands they represented.

Lancia Stratos HF: The Alitalia Legend

Chassis #829ARO001637

The Lancia Stratos HF, one of the most iconic rally cars ever, was born out of a need to replace the ageing Fulvia 1.6 HF. Lancia commissioned Bertone, with Marcello Gandini at the helm, to create a car that would dominate the rally stages. They designed a radical wedge-shaped two-seater, which they unveiled at the 1971 Turin Motor Show as the Stratos.

From Concept to Rally Dominance

Unveiled at the 1971 Turin Motor Show, the Stratos was equipped with a mid-mounted Ferrari Dino V6 engine, producing 2418cc of pure adrenaline. The car was designed to be fast and built to win. By 1974, the Stratos was already racking up WRC victories, becoming a legend in its own right.

Salon Privé’s star, known simply as ‘1637’, was built in 1974 and was immediately pressed into action. Unlike most Stratos cars, which were prepared for either gravel or tarmac, 1637 was the first to be tested for the gruelling 1975 Safari Rally. This meant it needed special modifications, including large metal guards to protect it from wildlife, an enhanced air-filtration system for dusty African tracks, and longer-travel Bilstein dampers to handle the rough terrain.

A Rally Car with a Story

Driven by Sandro Munari and Vic Preston Jnr, with the latter’s father managing logistics and maintenance, 1637 performed admirably, finishing 11th overall in the 6,500km event. While just shy of a top-10 finish, it was a remarkable achievement for a car in its debut rally, especially in such demanding conditions.

After its Safari adventure, 1637 continued to make its mark, participating in various rallies in Kenya under different ownership. The car didn’t end its journey there. Eventually, it came back to the UK, where it continued to compete before finding a new home in Japan. A complete restoration followed, returning the car to its former glory, complete with the iconic Alitalia colours. Today, 1637 is part of a private collection in Europe, a testament to its enduring legacy.

Subaru Impreza WRC97: The Birth of a Rally Icon

Chassis #PRO/WRC/97001

When you think of Subaru and rallying, the first image that comes to mind is the blue and yellow ‘555’ livery. It’s a design, that’s as iconic as the car itself. The 1996 Subaru Impreza WRC97, featured at Salon Privé, is a perfect example of how a car can become synonymous with its sponsor.

The Making of a Champion

The Impreza WRC97 was born out of a new era in rallying. With Group A regulations being phased out, Subaru’s UK partner, Prodrive, developed a new car based on a two-door GC8 shell. The car was a technical marvel, with a redesigned roll-cage for improved structural rigidity. It had a turbocharged 1994cc flat-four engine that delivered 310bhp and 367lb ft of torque. This was also the last Subaru WRC car to use a manual H-pattern gearbox, marking the end of an era before paddle shifters became the norm.

Colin McRae used chassis #97001, the first of its kind, for testing. It laid the foundation for Subaru’s dominance in the 1997 WRC season. Subaru won eight out of 14 rounds, and while McRae narrowly missed out on the drivers’ championship, the Impreza had already cemented its place in rally history.

A Car with a Winning Streak

After its initial success, chassis #97001 went into private hands and continued to compete, racking up 11 rally victories. It even gave nine-time motorcycle champion Valentino Rossi his first rally success, finishing seventh in the Rally di Monza. In 2009, Prodrive restored the car, returning it to its original specification. Today, it resides in Suffolk, carefully maintained by one of the engineers who originally worked on it.

Group C Icons: A Showcase of Power and Precision

People often remember the Group C era in sports car racing for its intense competition and engineering brilliance. But they also remember the liveries that made these cars stand out. Salon Privé’s collection features some of the most famous examples from this golden age of endurance racing.

Shell Dunlop Works Porsche 962

The Porsche 962 is a name that resonates with any motorsport fan. It’s a car that dominated endurance racing in the 1980s, and its liveries are as iconic as the car itself. The Shell Dunlop Works Porsche 962, with its striking German flag colours, is a standout in the Salon Privé lineup.

They built this particular car for the 1988 Le Mans 24 Hours race. It featured a high-boost, water-cooled 3-litre engine that produced an astonishing 880bhp during qualifying. Driven by legends like Derek Bell, Hans Stuck, and Klaus Ludwig, this car not only secured pole position but also set the fastest lap in the race. Although it finished second overall, people still talk about its performance today.

Taka-Q Works Toyota 88C

The taka-Q livery, immortalised by the double Le Mans winning Joest Porsche team, is another classic that graces the Salon Privé display. The Works Toyota 88C, with its striking design, was one of the few cars to compete in all three Group C championships during its time. With a 2.1-litre 4-cylinder engine producing 650bhp, this car was a formidable competitor on the world’s most challenging tracks.

Silk Cut Jaguar XJR-8/9

No discussion of iconic liveries would be complete without mentioning the Silk Cut Jaguar XJR-8/9. This car, with its purple and white livery, dominated the World Sportscar Championship in the late 1980s. The #3 XJR-9 LM at Le Mans in 1988 provided some of the most thrilling racing ever seen, with in-car footage that still gives fans chills. With wins at Jerez, Silverstone, Brands Hatch, and Nürburgring, this car’s legacy is secured.

Rothmans Works Porsche 962

The Rothmans livery is one of the most recognisable in the history of motorsport. Used by the works Porsche team for seven seasons, it became synonymous with endurance racing success. The car featured at Salon Privé, one of the last Works 962s built, competed in both the Rothmans and Shell Dunlop liveries. With four consecutive pole positions and podium finishes in every race it entered in 1987, this car’s pedigree is undeniable.

Conclusion: A Celebration of Motorsport’s Visual Legacy

Salon Privé Concours 2024 will be a celebration of the artistry that goes into creating a motorsport legend. The liveries on display are part of the history and identity of these machines. Each car tells a story, not just of races won and lost, but of the brands that helped make them legends.

Have you got your ticket for Salon Privé yet? If you have, we’ll see you there! We’ll both get the chance to see this display, to see history, art, and the passion that drives motorsport. Which livery speaks to you the most? Do these iconic designs still resonate in today’s more commercialised motorsport world? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

The post Stunning Racing Machines You Need To See At Salon Privé 2024 appeared first on My Car Heaven.