Ferrari 250LM is Best of the Best

| 4 Feb 2025
Classic & Sports Car – Ferrari 250LM is Best of the Best

A 1964 Ferrari 250LM won the Best of the Best Award 2024 last night (3 February 2025) in Paris.

The annual Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award was established in 2015 as the ultimate concours prize and draws its shortlist from the Best in Show cars at the world’s most prestigious concours d’elegance events.

This Ferrari was one of nine classic cars revealed last month to be in contention, each of which had claimed a major concours prize in 2024 – in the 250LM’s case, this was at the Palm Beach Cavallino Classic in January last year.

Classic & Sports Car – Ferrari 250LM is Best of the Best

Inside the Ferrari 250LM that’s won the biggest concours gong

The Ferrari 250LM made its debut in Paris in 1963 and lived up to its name by winning the 1965 Le Mans 24 Hours, as well as the International Trophy for GT Prototypes in the same year.

Just 32 examples were built, and it is chassis 6053 that’s just been crowned Best of the Best 2024.

Chassis 6053 was campaigned between 1965 and 1968, and was victorious at British tracks Brands Hatch, Silverstone and Snetterton in ’66.

That same year it was raced at the 24 Hours of Daytona, plus it took on the Le Mans round-the-clock challenge in 1968.

Classic & Sports Car – Ferrari 250LM is Best of the Best

The Ferrari 250LM’s V12 engine has 315bhp

“I am truly humbled to receive this distinguished award,” said current custodian Chris Cox, in whose care the car has been since 2018.

In 2022 it was part of a showcase for Ferrari’s 75th-anniversary celebrations at the marque’s museum, and it was shown at Pebble Beach in 2022 and 2024.

“It brings me tremendous joy to show a vehicle with such a rich history at the world’s biggest concours,” he continued, “and being selected for The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award is the highest honour a car collector can achieve.”

Classic & Sports Car – Ferrari 250LM is Best of the Best

This Ferrari 250LM won races at Silverstone, Brands Hatch and Snetterton in 1966

Judges for the 10th annual Best of the Best Award, established by the Hon Sir Michael Kadoorie, included Henry Ford III, designers Fabio Filippini and Peter Brock, and former General Motors Vice President of Design Ed Welburn.

They were joined by others including Jay Leno, Ralph Lauren, HRH Prince Michael of Kent, HH Rana Manvendra Singh of Barwani and Peter Marino to decide which car should receive this prestigious accolade.

“The winning 1964 Ferrari 250LM is much more than just a stunning vehicle,” said Christian Philippsen, co-founder of The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award.

“This is one of Ferrari’s most revolutionary models, with a rich competitive history and incredible provenance. We are thrilled to honour a motorsport legend of this calibre”.

Classic & Sports Car – Ferrari 250LM is Best of the Best

This Ferrari 250LM is one of only 32 produced

The other classic cars shortlisted for the award were a 1932 Alfa Romeo 8C-2300 Spider that took the top prize at the 2024 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, the 2024 Salon Privé-winning 1957 Ferrari 335S, and two Delahayes, a 1937/1946 145 Cabriolet that was a winner last summer at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, and a 1947 135MS Narval Cabriolet that came first at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance in March 2024.

Also in the running was a 1937 Rolls-Royce Phantom III Convertible, which became eligible for consideration after victory at September’s Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace, and three Bugattis.

The earliest, a 1928 Bugatti Type 35C Grand Prix, was the Chantilly Arts & Elegance 2024 winner, Pebble Beach’s champion was the 1934 King Leopold III of Belgium Type 59 Sports, while the shortlisted 1937 Type 57S Roadster earned its place after taking the Best of Show trophy at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed’s Cartier Style et Luxe.


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