The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award winner will be announced at The Peninsula Paris this February, as chosen by a panel of judges including newcomers Laurence Graff and Peter Marino.
Eight stunning ‘Best of Show’ winners from top concours around the world have been revealed as nominees for the coveted The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award. The cars in contention for the 2018 award will now be carefully reviewed by 26 respected judges, all of whom are leaders in their fields of expertise.
The Peninsula Classics: A Celebration of Automotive Excellence
The award, now in its fourth year, brings together the finest classic cars in the world to compete for the title of most exceptional car. “My fellow co-founders and I created this award because of our shared passion for motorcars; a passion which I believe lives in many of us from a young age,” said The Hon. Sir Michael Kadoorie, Chairman of The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited. “This shared interest is what makes the award so special – it has the ability not only to unite friends through common interests, but also remind us of that first spark of excitement at the wonder of motorcars.”
The nominated vehicles are as follows:
- 1929 Duesenberg J/SJ Convertible by Murphy, Updated by Bohman: Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance
- 1956 Ferrari 250 GT Coupé by Zagato: Cavallino Classic
- 1958 Ferrari 335 S Spyder by Scaglietti: Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este
- 1928 Mercedes-Benz 680 S ‘Boat Tail’ Roadster by Barker: Concours of Elegance Hampton Court Palace
- 1972 Monteverdi 375L High Speed by Fissore: Goodwood Cartier Style et Luxe Concours d’Elegance
- 1937 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Berlinetta by Touring: Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
- 1953 Lancia Aurelia PF200C Spider by Pinin Farina: The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering
- 1933 Bugatti Type 55 Roadster by Jean Bugatti: Salon Privé
An Esteemed Judging Panel
This year sees two new additions to the existing panel of 24 judges: Laurence Graff and Peter Marino.
Laurence Graff is said to have handled more rare and historic stones than any other diamantaire. One of his most recent acquisitions is the 1,109 carat Lesedi La Rona, the largest rough diamond discovered in more than a century, and a true miracle of nature. Since he founded the business in 1960, Graff has grown to become one of the pre-eminent jewellery houses in the world, and in June 2013 was awarded an OBE for his services to jewellery.
Peter Marino, FAIA, is the principal of Peter Marino Architect PLLC, the New York–based architecture firm founded in 1978. Marino’s work includes award-winning residential, cultural, hospitality and luxury retail projects worldwide, and is currently supporting with two of The Peninsula Hotels’ projects under development: The Peninsula London and The Peninsula Yangon. Regarded for his cultural contributions, Marino was recently named an Officer de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres from the French Ministry of Culture. A keen motorcyclist, Marino owns a KTM Superduke 1290R and a Triumph Speed Triple.
A ‘Palace’-certified venue
The big reveal will once again take place at The Peninsula Paris, on 7 February 2019. Last year’s winning Bugatti emerged from behind the doors of a 10 x 6-foot purpose-built box, illuminated by flashing halogen lights. Those lucky enough to attend this year’s announcement will once again be treated to a climatic reveal and in-person viewing – the content of dreams for automotive aficionados.
