Eight classics shortlisted for ‘Best of the best’ award

By Lizzie Pope

| 18 Dec 2018

Eight classics shortlisted for ‘Best of the best’ award

What was the best classic car of 2018? That’s the tough question the judges will have to answer when choosing which is worthy of The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award.

Launched in 2015, this prestigious accolade sees the winners of eight of the world’s most exclusive concours go up against each other in a bid to be crowned the overall champion.

This year’s line-up comprises a jaw-dropping collection spanning six decades of motoring excellence – and frankly, we’re glad we’re not the ones having to choose between them.

1972 Monteverdi 375L High Speed by Fissore (top), Mercedes-Benz 680 S ‘Boat Tail’ Roadster (left) and 1933 Bugatti Type 55 Roadster all qualified via UK concours victories

Three of the eight finalists qualified via their success at British concours.

We particularly like Colin Mullan’s home-restored 1972 Monteverdi 375L High Speed by Fissore, which triumphed at the Goodwood Cartier Style et Luxe Concours d’Elegance; this was the first Swiss car to win a major concours and, unlike most winners, was driven to and from the event.

The unique 1928 Mercedes-Benz 680 S ‘Boat Tail’ Roadster by Barker, first owned by British Racing Drivers’ Club co-founder Earl Howe, is another contender; that was Best of Show at Hampton Court Palace’s Concours of Elegance. Bob Bishop’s 1933 Bugatti Type 55 Roadster by Jean Bugatti, meanwhile, won at Salon Privé.

Duesenberg J/SJ (left) and Ferrari 250GT Zagato are both in the running

Four of the remaining five shortlisted cars were winners at the big American concours.

There’s the 1929 Duesenberg J/SJ Convertible by Murphy, Updated by Bohman, that scooped the top prize at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, plus the Cavallino Classic’s prize-winning 1956 Ferrari 250GT Coupé by Zagato.

Lancia Aurelia PF200C (left) and Alfa Romeo 8C are also in the final eight

From the collection of Anne Brockinton Lee is the seldom seen and utterly captivating 1953 Lancia Aurelia PF200C Spider by Pinin Farina that claimed Best of Show at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, while another Italian-bred beauty, Ginny and David Sydorick’s 1937 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Berlinetta by Touring received the top honour at this summer’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, eight decades after it caused a stir at the Berlin Motor Show.

A Ferrari 335S completes the shortlist

Finally a second Prancing Horse is in the running for The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award in the form of the 1958 335S Spider by Scaglietti that was Best of Show at last May’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in Italy.

Stunning 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic triumphed in 2017 edition

This year’s eight contenders have a lot of live up to, as the previous Best of the Best Award winner was this stunning 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic.

Co-owned by the Mullin Automotive Museum in California and Rob and Melani Walton, and wearing a glorious, art-deco-inspired body it first claimed victory at 2017’s Chantilly Arts & Elégance Richard Mille, putting it in contention for the Peninsula prize.

It is super-rare, too, being one of just four Type 57SC Atlantic models create, of which just three remain.

The winner of this year's event will be announced at The Peninsula Paris, on 7 February 2019, during Rétromobile.

Salon Privé Bugatti up for Best of the Best

Space-age Lancia prototype stuns crowds at The Quail

Alfa Romeo 8C crowned champion at Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance