![Mercedes-Benz 540K Cabriolet A which won at Salon Privé 2021 Classic & Sports Car – Mercedes stars as 2021’s Best of the Best contenders are revealed](/sites/default/files/styles/article/public/2022-06/Classic%20%26%20Sports%20Car%20%E2%80%93%20Mercedes%20stars%20as%202021%E2%80%99s%20Best%20of%20the%20Best%20contenders%20are%20revealed%20-%20AB-Salon-Prive-03277.png?itok=g4Sa2jqD)
A trio of classic Mercedes-Benz cars is in the running for The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award 2021 – what’s more, all three are from 1938.
In all, eight cars are vying for this accolade, founded in 2015, which pits the winners of each year’s major, elite, international concours against each other to crown an annual victor.
The greatest of 2021’s contenders will be revealed during Monterey Car Week 2022 at the Quail Lodge & Golf Club, on 14 August, and the 540K Cabriolet A (pictured above) is in the running after it achieved Best in Show at Salon Privé in September 2021.
![1938 Mercedes-Benz 540K Spezial Roadster Classic & Sports Car – Mercedes stars as 2021’s Best of the Best contenders are revealed](/sites/default/files/2022-06/Classic%20%26%20Sports%20Car%20%E2%80%93%20Mercedes%20stars%20as%202021%E2%80%99s%20Best%20of%20the%20Best%20contenders%20are%20revealed%20-%2001.-Programme-Book---1938-Mercedes-Benz-540-K-Special-Roadster-copy-%281%29.png)
![1938 Mercedes-Benz 540 Autobahn-Kurier Classic & Sports Car – Mercedes stars as 2021’s Best of the Best contenders are revealed](/sites/default/files/2022-06/Classic%20%26%20Sports%20Car%20%E2%80%93%20Mercedes%20stars%20as%202021%E2%80%99s%20Best%20of%20the%20Best%20contenders%20are%20revealed%20-%2001.-Programme-Book---C-0316-Mercedes-Benz-540-K-Autobahn-Kurier-193815320-_flat.png)
A 540K Spezial Roadster (left) and the unique Autobahn-Kurier are two other classic Mercedes in the running
The other two Mercedes in contention for this award are not only also from 1938, they’re both based on the 540K, too.