The Peninsula, a name synonymous with opulence and luxury for generations, has unveiled the eight finalists competing for the esteemed Peninsula Classics 2023 Best of the Best Award. This year’s event, set to take place on 3 September 2024 at The Peninsula London, honors the world’s finest classic cars.
The finalists, all victors of major 2023 concours events, include a diverse array of automotive masterpieces. Among them is the 1935 Duesenberg Model J Speedster, which clinched the 2023 Best of Show award at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. This particular Duesenberg is a rarity; of the 481 Model Js produced, only 38 were supercharged, and a mere 30 were delivered to European coachbuilders. This one-of-a-kind SJ, equipped with a supercharged engine and a 153½-inch-long wheelbase chassis, was uniquely commissioned by Maharajah Holkar of Indore at the age of 28 and crafted by Gurney Nutting.
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Another notable contender is the 1935 Voisin C25 Aerodyne, which took home the Best of Show 2023 at The Amelia. This vehicle, which also won the 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, debuted in 1935 at the Lyon Fair and the Concours d’Elegance at the Place Bellecour. With its two-tone paint, wraparound pontoon fenders, low-faired-in headlights, high beltline, skirted rear fenders, and an automated retractable roof, the Aerodyne epitomizes Art Deco elegance. Of the 28 C25s produced, only six were Aerodynes, with just four surviving today.
A 1937 Bentley 4.25-litre Rothschild Sedanca Coupé, winner of the 2023 Goodwood Cartier Style et Luxe Concours of Elegance, is also among the finalists. Initially commissioned in 1936 by La Comtesse Yvonne Lydia Cahen d’Anvers, Madame de Rothschild, this car was designed by Gurney Nutting’s young designer, John Blatchley. Blatchley’s design, approved by the Countess, took nearly a year to complete.
The 1937 Bugatti 57S Roadster, the only Bugatti finalist, was awarded Best of Show at the 2023 Salon Privé. When engineer William Turnbull acquired the car in 1969, he found during restoration that its chassis matched the specifications of the Grand Prix cars, making it the elusive “Tank” chassis from the 1936 Grand Prix Team.
Another remarkable finalist is the 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Spezial Roadster, which won Best of Show at the 2023 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Originally ordered for King Mohammad Zahir Shah of Afghanistan in May 1937, the car was delivered to Kabul in September of that year. It was stored at the Afghanistan Embassy in Paris during World War II and later brought to England by the king’s son-in-law in 1950.
Three iconic Italian classics also make the list. The 1953 Ferrari 250 MM Berlinetta, which won Best of Show at the 2023 Cavallino Classic, was driven in the Mille Miglia by Count Bruno Sterzi and other races before being restored to its original configuration by its current owner. The 1955 Maserati A6GCS/53 Spyder, a Best of Show winner at the 2023 Concours of Elegance Hampton Court Palace, is one of only three such Spyders built by Pietro Frua. The car has a storied history, having been shown at numerous California concours, including Pebble Beach in 1964.
Rounding out the finalists is the 1956 Ferrari 410 Superamerica “Superfast” Coupé, which won Best of Show at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering 2023. This Ferrari, with a unique body by Pinin Farina and a bespoke 4.9-liter V-12 engine developed by Aurelio Lampredi, was one of the fastest grand touring cars of its era.
The panel of judges for The Peninsula Classics 2023 Best of the Best Award includes esteemed figures in automotive design, such as Ian Cameron, Flavio Manzoni, Gorden Wagener, Chris Bangle, Fabio Filippini, and Peter Brock. The panel also features royal and celebrity enthusiasts, including HRH Prince Michael of Kent, His Highness Rana Manvendra Singh of Barwani, fashion icon Ralph Lauren, architect Peter Marino, and television host Jay Leno.
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