The 14th Louis Vuitton Classic in England, on Saturday 5 June 2004, in the magnificent park of Waddesdon Manor, near Oxford, was a great success. Over 60 of the world's most beautiful cars and 20 motorcycles delighted the 7,000 visitors who attended the spectacular show in Buckinghamshire.

Waddesdon Manor was built (1874-1889) by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild to display his outstanding collection of art treasures and to entertain the fashionable world. On a hilltop overlooking the Aylesbury Vale, it is the last remaining complete example of "le style Rothschild". The House combines the highest quality French furniture, textiles and decorative arts from the 18th century with magnificent English portraits and Dutch Old Masters. Waddesdon has one of the finest Victorian gardens in Britain, famous for its Parterre, seasonal displays, colorful shrubs, mature trees, statues and carpet bedding. At its heart lies the Aviary, stocked with species that were once part of Baron Rothschild's collection and other birds that are depicted on Waddesdon's famous Sèvres collection. The wine cellars, modelled on the private cellars at Château Lafite-Rothschild, contain thousands of bottles of Rothschild wine dating back to the 19th century. James de Rothschild bequeathed Waddesdon to the National Trust in 1957. A family charitable trust, under the chairmanship of Lord Rothschild, now manages the manor for the trust.

The automobile jury, headed by chief judges Christian Philippsen and Mick Walsh; the motorcycle jury, led by chief judge Mike Jackson; and the woman's jury (for the Sheer Pleasure Awards) handed out a total of 22 prizes, 12 for the competition categories and 10 others. Yves Carcelle, Chairman and CEO of Louis Vuitton Malletier, and former race ace Alain de Cadenet presented the awards to the proud owners. The Louis Vuitton Best of Show Grand Prix for a motorcycle was awarded to a 1969 350 cc Jawa V4, and for an automobile to a splendid 1934 Rolls-Royce Phantom II with Carlton body owned by the former U.S. ambassador to Belgium, Stephen and Kimmy Brauer. These two winning vehicles will be shown at the next Louis Vuitton Classic.

Seven spectacular Ferraris were shown. These included British banker Andrew Pisker's 250 GT LWB California Spider (1505 GT) painted white with a new blue interior and open headlights. Juan Barazi showed his 246 S Fantuzzi Spider (0778) and the yellow ex-Ecurie Francorchamps 250 LM (6023). The Sheer Pleasure Award was given to Barazi's 246 S. From the Mas du Clos Collection came Pierre Bardinon's 1954 Le Mans-winning 375 Plus Spider (0396 AM) shown by Terry Hoyle. The 375 Plus won the Le Mans Legends category at Waddesdon Manor. Also shown was Richard Colton's red 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Scaglietti (1995 GT) and Richard Thwaites' metallic grey 14-louvered 250 GT LWB TDF Berlinetta Scaglietti (0597 GT). This fabulous car was sold new to Italian gentleman racer Eugenio Lubich of Venice.

The stunning 1955 Ferrari 375 America Coupé Speciale Pinin Farina (0355 AL), originally sold to FIAT chairman Gianni Agnelli and owned today by St. Louis/MO businessman Jack E. Thomas, was awarded The Waddesdon Manor Visitor's Favourite Award. The green and red Ferrari, perfectly restored by MPI Motion Products Inc., Neenah/WI, also won its class. The car was judged by Lorenzo Ramaciotti (Pininfarina SpA), Dirk Van Braeckel (Designer of Bentley) and Donato Coco (PSA Peugeot Citroen). The judges also included UK race driver Richard Attwood, David Burgess Wise, Ian Cameron (Rolls-Royce), Simon Cox (GM), Leonardo Fioravanti, Fabrizio Giugaro (Italdesign), Warei Hirai (Toyota), rallye star Paddy Hopkirk, Adrian Newey (McLaren), Harm Lagaay (Porsche) and Nick Mason (Pink Floyd drummer/Ten Tenths Ltd.).

Jay Kay (of Jamiroquai fame) showed his black Maserati A6G/54 with sensational Frua body. Among the highlights were also Mark Finburgh's Porsche 917 and Martin Colvill's Ford GT40, both in Gulf livery, plus a nice Jaguar D-Type and the original Lamborghini Miura SVJ owned by Reza Rashidian of Iran. Greek shipping tycoon Peter Livanos had his yellow Mercedes-Benz 300 SL trucked from his home in Gstaad, Switzerland, to the Louis Vuitton Classic.

Famous faces spotted strolling through the manor's grounds on Concours day included Yasmin Le Bon, models Laura Bailey and Jodie Kidd; French actress and daughter of Jane Birkin, Lou Doillon; James Bond girl Rosamund Pike and Isabella Blow. Among the celebrities observed were also fashion designer Amanda Wakeley, actresses Camilla Rutherford and Amanda Donahue plus Maria Wickert, the famous South American model and TV presenter, together with Lady Eloise Anson. At Waddesdon were also banker Andy Wong with his wife Patti Wong, head of jewellry at Sotheby's and Mark Knopfler, singer and lead guitar of Dire Straits. They all had the privilege of being among the first in the world to admire Renault's latest concept car, the beautiful Coupé Fluence.

Over 600 guests attended the gala dinner held after the competition. Among them were pop superstars Kelis and Ferrari collector and Enzo owner Jason "Jay" Kay as well as world renowned opera singer Charlotte Church. Actresses Anna Friel and Denise van Outen were in attendance alongside Rod Stewart's gorgeous girlfriend Penny Lancaster. Lionel Richie, currently on a world tour, stopped in at Waddesdon Manor to entertain the guests with some of his greatest hits as well as songs from his latest album. The fabulous Louis Vuitton Classic 2004 was sponsored by Veuve Clicquot, Renault, Quintessential and Baccarat.