The Peninsula today announced the eight nominees for its prestigious The Peninsula Classics 2019 Best of the Best Award, an accolade presented to the world’s most exceptional classic car. The selected vehicles were built by automakers from five different countries over a span of nearly 40 years, 1919 to 1958. The winning vehicle will be unveiled on 6 February 2020 at an award presentation at the famed The Peninsula Paris.
Founded in 2015 by The Hon. Sir Michael Kadoorie, Chairman of The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited, with co-founders William E. (Chip) Connor, Bruce Meyer and Christian Philippsen, this year’s award brings together eight of the concours circuits’ elite best of show winners from around the globe. The winner will be decided by a cohort of 25 judges ranging from automotive designers to some of the most recognised private collectors in the world including Peter Marino and Laurence Graff.
“This award is truly a celebration of automotive excellence. Only eight vehicles are selected from the world’s most prestigious concours events to compete for the title of most exceptional classic car,” said Sir Michael Kadoorie. “These motorcars are works of art, each with a unique history and provenance. Our esteemed panel of judges have their work cut out this year due to the incredible field of contenders.”
The diverse nominees include vehicles built in France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States. This year’s nominees for The Peninsula Classics 2019 Best of the Best Award are as follows:
France
- 1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport Coupé, coachwork by Figoni et Falaschi – Best of Show at the 2019 Salon Privé
Germany
- 1938 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Autobahn-Kurier, coachwork by the Factory – Best of Show at the 2019 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance
Italy
- 1958 Ferrari 335 S Spyder, coachwork by Scaglietti – Best of Show at the 2019 Cavallino Classic
- 1950 Abarth 205 Berlinetta, coachwork by Vignale, design by Michelotti – Best of Show at the 2019 Goodwood Cartier Style et Luxe Concours d’Elegance
United Kingdom
- 1931 Bentley 8 Litre Foursome Coupe, coachwork by Freestone & Webb – Best of Show at the 2019 Chantilly Arts & Elégance Richard Mille
- 1919 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Torpedo Skiff, coachwork by Barker – Best of Show at 2019 Concours of Elegance Hampton Court Palace
- 1931 Bentley 8 Litre Dual Cowl Tourer, coachwork by Gurney Nutting – Best of Show at 2019 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
United States
- 1931 Stutz DV32 Convertible Victoria, coachwork by LeBaron – Best of Show at 2019 The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering
More details of the award can be found here.
About The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award
Through a shared desire to celebrate the best of what defines the automotive world, The Hon. Sir Michael Kadoorie, Chairman of The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited, launched The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award in 2015 with co-founders William E. (Chip) Connor, Bruce Meyer and Christian Philippsen. Each founder shares a common passion and appreciation of fine motor cars, the preservation of their heritage and immaculate restoration projects. The award, sponsored by The Peninsula Hotels, brings together the concours circuits’ elite ‘Best of Show’ winners from around the globe.
