Simon Kidston | |
---|---|
Born | September 1967 (age 56) |
Nationality | British |
Education | Aiglon College |
Occupation | classic car dealer |
Spouse | Rosie Kidston |
Children | 2 |
Parent | Home Kidston |
Relatives |
Glen Kidston (uncle) Cath Kidston (cousin) |
Simon Home Kidston (born September 1967) is a British classic car dealer, collector, commentator and journalist.
Kidston has built a reputation as one of the leading international dealers in blue-chip collector cars, [1] with clients including Ralph Lauren, Ferrari collector Jean-Pierre Slavic and designer Marc Newson. [2]
Kidston was born in September 1967, [3] the son of Commander Home Kidston, a retired naval officer who owned and raced cars. [4] His uncle was Glen Kidston, the record-breaking aviator and motor racing driver. [4] His cousin is the fashion designer and businesswoman Cath Kidston.
Kidston grew up near Siena, Italy and was educated in Switzerland. He attended Aiglon College from 1981 to 1985. [5] [6]
Kidston started his career in 1988 in the car auction department at Coys of Kensington. [7]
In 1996, he left to co-found Brooks Europe auction house in Geneva. He created high-profile events such as the annual Ferrari auction in Gstaad [8] and the Pur Sang à Longchamp auction in Paris. [9] From 1996–2006 he was President of Brooks Europe, which later became Bonhams Europe. [10]
In 2006, Kidston left Bonhams to start Kidston SA in Geneva, an independent advisory firm for motor car collectors. [10] In 2018, Kidston opened a new office in Dubai: Kidston DMCC. [11]
Kidston is a magazine contributor, writing columns for ' Classic Cars' and ' Sports Car Market'. He is also a guest contributor at Vanity Fair, Top Gear and Dubai Lifestyle Magazine. [12]
Kidston is head judge of the Cartier Travel With Style Concours in India [13] and an advisor to BMW Classic, the organisers of the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, set up in 1929. [14] Between 2007–2014, he was commentator for the Mille Miglia historic rally. [15] [16]
Kidston is an avid car collector, with his collection including a 1938 Bugatti Type 57C Cabriolet originally built for his father. [17] Kidston buys back vehicles his family previously owned, including a Gipsy Moth racing biplane his father flew in New Zealand 75 years prior. [18]
In 2009, Kidston was invited by the Mercedes-Benz Museum to drive the 300 SLR 'Uhlenhaut' coupe. [19] [20]
He splits his time between Dubai, London, Milan and Geneva, and is fluent in Italian and French. [11]
Simon Kidston | |
---|---|
Born | September 1967 (age 56) |
Nationality | British |
Education | Aiglon College |
Occupation | classic car dealer |
Spouse | Rosie Kidston |
Children | 2 |
Parent | Home Kidston |
Relatives |
Glen Kidston (uncle) Cath Kidston (cousin) |
Simon Home Kidston (born September 1967) is a British classic car dealer, collector, commentator and journalist.
Kidston has built a reputation as one of the leading international dealers in blue-chip collector cars, [1] with clients including Ralph Lauren, Ferrari collector Jean-Pierre Slavic and designer Marc Newson. [2]
Kidston was born in September 1967, [3] the son of Commander Home Kidston, a retired naval officer who owned and raced cars. [4] His uncle was Glen Kidston, the record-breaking aviator and motor racing driver. [4] His cousin is the fashion designer and businesswoman Cath Kidston.
Kidston grew up near Siena, Italy and was educated in Switzerland. He attended Aiglon College from 1981 to 1985. [5] [6]
Kidston started his career in 1988 in the car auction department at Coys of Kensington. [7]
In 1996, he left to co-found Brooks Europe auction house in Geneva. He created high-profile events such as the annual Ferrari auction in Gstaad [8] and the Pur Sang à Longchamp auction in Paris. [9] From 1996–2006 he was President of Brooks Europe, which later became Bonhams Europe. [10]
In 2006, Kidston left Bonhams to start Kidston SA in Geneva, an independent advisory firm for motor car collectors. [10] In 2018, Kidston opened a new office in Dubai: Kidston DMCC. [11]
Kidston is a magazine contributor, writing columns for ' Classic Cars' and ' Sports Car Market'. He is also a guest contributor at Vanity Fair, Top Gear and Dubai Lifestyle Magazine. [12]
Kidston is head judge of the Cartier Travel With Style Concours in India [13] and an advisor to BMW Classic, the organisers of the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, set up in 1929. [14] Between 2007–2014, he was commentator for the Mille Miglia historic rally. [15] [16]
Kidston is an avid car collector, with his collection including a 1938 Bugatti Type 57C Cabriolet originally built for his father. [17] Kidston buys back vehicles his family previously owned, including a Gipsy Moth racing biplane his father flew in New Zealand 75 years prior. [18]
In 2009, Kidston was invited by the Mercedes-Benz Museum to drive the 300 SLR 'Uhlenhaut' coupe. [19] [20]
He splits his time between Dubai, London, Milan and Geneva, and is fluent in Italian and French. [11]