The all-new and ultra-exclusive Healey by Caton will make its global public debut at the inaugural Salon Privé London, 21-23 April, as the reincarnation of the iconic Austin-Healey 100 sports car arrives at Royal Hospital Chelsea for the luxury car event.
Healey by Caton is a unique combination of cutting edge design and engineering along with traditional techniques that deliver a driver’s car for the modern age. Promising an immersive, intoxicating and emotional automotive experience, the first creation by the all-new luxury British brand Caton draws on precision visual and performance enhancements to bring the car up to date, yet protects the ethos of the Austin-Healey 100.
Announced today, Healey by Caton embodies the new British brand’s approach to create and manufacture products fusing timeless craftsmanship with the latest technologies and processes. Instantly recognisable, and respectful of the original’s design principles, just 25 examples at the firm’s Coventry, UK workshop, situated a mere ten miles from the original Austin-Healey HQ.
“It’s a true honour to welcome the Healey by Caton to Salon Privé London for its global public debut,” said Director David Bagley. “This really is the return of a legend, held in high esteem by enthusiasts around the world. To be able to give this new car, conceived, engineered and built in the UK, a stage in London is a privilege as we open our inaugural event at Royal Hospital Chelsea.”
“When we embarked on this journey, and had the dream to launch Caton and its first product: Healey by Caton, as a team we knew we had to unveil to a global audience but situated at a UK event,” commented Tim Strafford, CEO of Caton’s strategic vehicle building partner, Envisage Group. “Salon Privé London was the obvious choice, starting our strategic events tour, and I’m excited to unveil the Healey by Caton next Thursday [21 April].”
Returning the revered Austin-Healey 100 as a sports car fit for the future, Caton brings its exceptional experience, OEM-level technology and craftmanship to bear with great effect. As its first vehicle, Healey by Caton is a coachbuilt tour de force that focuses exclusively on the sympathetic enhancement and evolution of a cherished tenet.
Drawing on strategic partner Envisage Group’s extensive resource, the team behind the project has also deployed traditional handcrafting skills and tools that would be recognised by those building the original Healeys. With mechanical components reconfigured as new, and new technology augmented where appropriate, Healey by Caton eliminates any concerns customers may have with buying a classic as it offers peace of mind, undeniable beauty and thrilling performance as standard.
Tim Strafford, CEO of Caton’s strategic vehicle building partner, Envisage Group, said: “Caton will stand for the best in British coachbuilding, and is the vision of our [Envisage Group’s] investors. We decided that the first product by Caton had to be creative, stand out in the marketplace, appeal to a global audience, and it was a natural step that we chose to put our Caton mark on a Healey 100.”
As befitting Salon Privé’s status as one of the world’s most prestigious automotive events, eight cars will be making their global, European or UK debut at Royal Hospital Chelsea. The very latest models from the likes of Alpine, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Genesis, Lamborghini, Pininfarina, Porsche and Rolls-Royce will be on display alongside Morgan Motor Company, as well as the latest machinery from Harley-Davidson and Indian Motorcycles. These will be joined by British specialists Charge Cars, Everrati, Jensen Automotive and Overfinch, to provide a line-up that covers everything from reimagined classics to next-generation hypercars and EVs.
Salon Privé London promises to be London’s most exclusive automotive party, with plenty to see and do in addition to the motoring attractions. The shopping village will host a variety of luxury brands including renowned British jeweller Boodles, Jess Collet Milliner and British perfume house, Penhaligon’s, founded in the late 1860s. Everything from Patek Philippe watches to Riva sports boats and Harley-Davidsons to Bell helicopters will be on display, alongside first-class hospitality for which Salon Privé has long been renowned. Louis Pommery will flow and London Essence cocktail bars will offer exciting cocktails from NoMad, Louie and the Donovan Bar mixologists.
To complement this, Salon Privé has partnered with renowned and innovative hospitality group JKS Restaurants to provide guests with a unique dining offering. This will include dishes from the Michelin-starred Gymkhana, Indian BBQ classics by Brigadiers, and cult Taiwanese specialists BAO. In addition, there will be plates from Fitzrovia’s The George and Chelsea’s The Cadogan Arms, providing pub fare that celebrates the best of British produce, making Salon Privé London a real foodie’s delight.
There’s also the option to enjoy a sumptuous three-course seated luncheon in The Sloane – the event’s exclusive VIP Hospitality Pavilion – while DJs will keep guests entertained into the evening. On the Thursday and Friday, Salon Privé London will be open until 9pm, allowing everyone to soak up the party atmosphere as dusk falls.
Salon Privé London is donating 20% of all Entry Ticket revenue to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) via Work for Good. #StandWithUkraine