The Peninsula Hotels today announced the eight exceptional vehicles that will be eligible to receive the second annual The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award, the international motoring world’s top accolade for most exceptional classic car.
The selected nominees, ranging from early production to mid-1950s Italian race cars, represent “Best of Show” winners from eight of the top concours events around the globe. The ultimate winner of The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award will be announced at a private dinner on Tuesday, August 15, 2017, during the prestigious Monterey Car Week.
“We are delighted to return to Monterey Car Week this year to celebrate the world’s most exceptional motor car with The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award,” said The Hon. Sir Michael Kadoorie, co-founder of the award and Chairman of The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited, owner and operator of The Peninsula Hotels. “This has become the motoring world’s most prestigious award, which recognizes the masterful craftsmanship and finest attributes of the highest-ranking automobiles from within the concours circuit. Attention to detail, elegance, and tradition are all values that we hold dear at The Peninsula, so it is especially fitting for us to serve as the patron of this award.”
Sir Michael Kadoorie co-founded the award with renowned classic car aficionados Christian Philippsen, William E. “Chip” Connor and Bruce Meyer to celebrate the best of what defines the automotive world. Each founder shares a common passion and appreciation of fine motor cars, the preservation of their heritage and immaculate restoration projects.
The finalists chosen to be under consideration for the award as the most elite driving machines are as follows:
1952 Pegaso Z-102 Berlineta Cúpula: Amelia Island Concours de Sport
One of about 80 high-end sports to be produced by the Spanish automaker from 1951 to 1958, the Cúpula is famed for its radical styling. Only two Cúpula models with the oversized rear window, side exhausts and partially skirted fenders were ever built.
1960 Ferrari 400 Superamerica Coupé Superfast II by Pinin Farina: The Gran Turismo Ferrari Cup, Cavallino Classic
One of 14 400 SA cars produced by Ferrari, this historic model formed the basis for the highly influential Superfast line of supercars and was the first truly aerodynamic design by Pinin Farina.
1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Berlinetta by Touring Superleggera: Chantilly Arts & Elégance Richard Mille
Arguably one of the most celebrated cars of our time, this exceptional vehicle is known for its exaggerated rear overhang, false louvres on the scuttle and dramatic front fenders. It was also the first of only five Berlinettas constructed on the 2900B chassis.
1938 Dubonnet Xenia Coupé by Saoutchik: Concours of Elegance UK
Developed by Andre Dubonnet, an inventor, racing driver and World War One fighter pilot, is famed for its aeronautical influence. The striking streamlined body features curved glass, sliding doors and a panoramic windscreen.
1954 Masarati A6GCS/53 Berlinetta by Pinin Farina: Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este
The Berlinetta-bodied sports car from Pinin Farina is considered to be the best preserved of the four models produced. Its uncompromising sporting style is highly representative of the coachbuilding artistry of the 1950s.
1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 SV Coupé by Bertone: Goodwood Cartier Style et Luxe Concours d’Elegance
With an extraordinary place in Lamborghini’s history, this one-of-a-kind model was restored with great efforts to preserve the show car’s authenticity. It illustrates the iconic appeal of the Miura class, which has been widely revered as a forerunner of modern super sports models.
1936 Lancia Astura Cabriolet Tipo Bocca by Pinin Farina: Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
This model is distinguished by its curved side glass, a power top and its unusual basket-woven interior trim – a detail showing its exceptional elegance and craftsmanship. A testament to Pinin Farina’s design mastery, a long, bright trim on the side of the body wraps around the tail and dips toward the upper corner of the radiator grille.
1953 Ferrari 375 MM Spyder by Pinin Farina: The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering
This racing car represents one of only nine models produced. Pinin Farina was commissioned by Jim Kimberly to complete the masterful one-off now known for its glorious Kimberly red color.
The Best of Show winners under consideration will be reviewed by 24 preeminent motorcar experts, designers and notable celebrities in the motoring world, including:
- Anne Asensio, who has played an influential and executive role in the automotive industry for nearly 20 years and has won numerous accolades.
- Chris Bangle, best known for his work as Chief of Design for the BMW Group, where he was responsible for bringing the designs of the BMW, Mini Cooper, and Rolls Royce into the 21st century.
- Peter Brock, best known for his work on the Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe and Corvette Sting Ray, now leads his company Aerovault to manufacture aerodynamically efficient single-car trailers.
- Ian Callum, Director of Design for Jaguar Cars.
- Ian Cameron, previously serving as Design Director for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and Brand Ambassador for BMW Group Classic, Cameron is now a retired aficionado who spends time working on classic cars.
- Luc Donckerwolke, Designer for Hyundai Motor Group’s Genesis luxury brand.
- Fabio Filippini, Former Chief Creative Officer at Pinin Farina, Filippini created many award-winning concept cars. His most recent works are the concepts Fittipaldi EF7 Vision Gran Turismo by Pinin Farina and Hybrid Kinetic H600 by Pinin Farina, presented at the Geneva Motor Show in 2017.
- Henry Ford, III, the great-great grandson of Ford Motor founder Henry Ford.
- HRH Prince Michael of Kent, a paternal first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II, has personal interests in autosport, aviation and travel. He currently holds the Presidency of the Royal Automobile Club, one of the world’s foremost private members’ clubs and the United Kingdom’s oldest and most prestigious motoring organization.
- Ralph Lauren, global fashion and lifestyle designer, famed within the automotive sector for his world-renowned car collection.
- Jay Leno, acclaimed TV show host on CNBC Television series “Jay Leno’s Garage” which debuted in 2015; the show has garnered several Emmy Awards and nominations for Outstanding Special Class–Short-Format Nonfiction Programs.
- Flavio Manzoni, automobile designer best known for his work at Ferrari, Lancia and Volkswagen. His latest work includes the F12 Tdf (Tour de France), the most extreme version of the F12 Berlinetta, the first Ferrari with four-wheel steering and the GTC4Lusso, introduced at the 2016 Geneva show.
- The Earl of March, Charles, Earl of March is the eldest son of the Duke of Richmond, owner of Goodwood in West Sussex and founder of the Goodwood Festival of Speed and the Goodwood Revival. A highly successful photographer, he is also President of the British Automobile Racing Club.
- Nick Mason, former Pink Floyd drummer and classic car enthusiast. Despite his 50-year career as the drummer in Pink Floyd, Nick has managed to compete regularly in a wide variety of racing cars, including five times at Le Mans.
- François Melcion, Managing Director of Rétromobile chez Comexposium, is regularly invited to judge at concours, including the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the former Louis Vuitton Classic, and Chantilly Art & Elegance.
- Gordon Murray, best known for his work as a designer of Formula One race cars and the McLaren F1 road car.
- Shiro Nakamura, Former Senior Vice President and Chief Creative Officer for Nissan Motor Corporation.
- Ken Okuyama, is widely known for his work as Design Director for Pinin Farina S.p.A., where he designed and supervised projects such as the Ferrari Enzo and Maserati Quattroporte.
- Adolfo Orsi Jr., well known auto historian and grandson and son of Adolfo and Omer Orsi, owners of Maserati between 1937 and 1967.
- Rana Manvendra Singh, a member of the erstwhile royal family of Barwani in Madhya Pradesh, India, is a famed classic and vintage car expert in the country.
- Ratan Tata, best known for his role as Chairman of Tata Sons, the holding company of the Tata group.
- Dato Seri Jean Todt, is famed for having led Scuderia Ferrari to win 14 Formula One World titles and 106 Grand Prix victories before assuming several esteemed positions within the Ferrari-Maserati Group. He was also elected President of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) in 2009, and again in 2013.
- Gordon Wagener, Chief Design Officer of Mercedes-Benz and all brands of Daimler AG. Under his leadership, the design philosophy of “Sensual Purity” was created, which is now being continually developed to define modern luxury and express an essential aspect of the brand.
- Edward Welburn, retired from General Motors Design after 44 years of distinctive service, Welburn has recently received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts from the College for Creative Studies for his rich career in design. He has also been inducted in the prestigious Automotive Hall of Fame.
Following Tuesday’s announcement, the winning vehicle will be recognized on stage at the 15th annual The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering on August 18, 2017.
