Blenheim Palace Salon Privé 2026 to showcase Duesenberg

The 1935 Duesenberg SJ Gurney Nutting Speedster, an award-winning, one-of-a-kind classic car, will be the star of a special display at this year’s Salon Privé at Blenheim Palace.

The vehicle was commissioned by the Maharajah Holkar of Indore, who was just 28 years old at the time.

Built for royal use and equipped with bespoke features, the car remains the only Duesenberg ever bodied by the renowned British coachbuilder Gurney Nutting.

Andrew Bagley, chairman and co-founder of Salon Privé, said: “To welcome this extraordinary Duesenberg SJ Gurney Nutting Speedster to Salon Privé 2026 is a real privilege for us and a very special moment for the event.

“Quite simply, this is one of the most important and celebrated American classics ever created, with a history, provenance, and presence that is almost impossible to replicate.

“We are incredibly proud that the owner has chosen Salon Privé as the platform to display the car for the first time since being crowned the Peninsula Classics Best of the Best, and we know it will be one of the standout automotive moments of 2026.”

The Duesenberg has attracted attention not only for its rarity but also for its fascinating journey across continents.

Following completion in London, the Duesenberg was shipped to New York before being driven back to Indianapolis by Duesenberg employees for final preparation, before making its way to the Maharajah’s residence in California.

Due to concerns about the risk of Japanese invasion in India at the time, the vehicle was delivered to California before eventually being sent to India via Singapore.

The Duesenberg remained there until the 1950s, when it returned to the United States.

The car was first restored in 1959 and scored an impressive 99.5 points at the Classic Car Club of America’s Eastern Grand Classic in 1963.

In 2023, it won the Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award, confirming its status as one of the world’s most significant vintage cars.

The Duesenberg is the highest-numbered chassis ever built by the marque and has since undergone further restoration work to preserve its original royal detailing.

Salon Privé, now in its 21st year, will return to Blenheim Palace from September 2 to 6, promising its most exciting automotive experience yet.

The five-day event will bring together classic and hypercars, luxury brands and hospitality in a celebration of automotive excellence.

Tickets are required and can be purchased online at https://www.salonpriveconcours.com/.