Luxury car event Salon Privé is now in its third year and it's fast becoming part of the summer season. This year it will bring together 120 new and classic cars; enough to make organisers of the world's leading motor shows blush. David Bagley, founder and sales director, says the event owes its success, in part, to its desire to be "less a motor show and more a summer garden party with cars".

Choosing the exclusive Hurlingham Club in London as a venue has helped. And thanks to an early decision to charge a premium price to attend (the cheapest ticket is £125), the show manages to attract guests able to afford the supercars on display. "I'm not naïve enough to think people get chequebooks out here, but seeing all the cars in one place helps cut through some of the sales process," says Bagley.

He admits to being surprised at how quickly Salon Privé has caught on with guests and manufacturers. Despite looming recession and sky-high petrol prices, Bagley says he has maintained an 85 per cent client and guest retention rate from the first year, and has seen interest across the industry rise.

This year's attractions include some UK debuts (including the new Rolls Royce Phantom Coupe) and a possible unveiling a new Bugatti. There will also be a Concours D'Elégance—or posh classic car rally—which features Steve McQueen's Ferrari 250 Lusso, among others.