PARIS, 31 December, 2017

Universally regarded as the leading motoring accolade for most exceptional classic car, the third annual The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award  will make its official international debut in Paris in February 2018. The Peninsula Hotels today announced the eight vehicles chosen as worthy nominees to receive such acknowledgment.

The selected concours “Best of Show” winners represent the most admired of the motoring world this year. The winner of The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award will be announced at a private dinner at The Peninsula Paris on Thursday, February 8, 2018, during the celebrated Rétromobile event, where international motoring connoisseurs gather each year. As the only five-star luxury property in the city with a subterranean garage, the lower level will also serve as the venue for the exclusive reveal after-party for additional guests following the private announcement.

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to bring The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award to Paris in 2018, which I trust will further promote this distinguished honour on the concours circuit,” 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. “Concours d’Elegance originated in Paris in the 17th century, and we are delighted to bring the modern equivalent back to this beautiful city; a fitting venue for such a distinct honour. The award recognises excellence in masterful craftsmanship, attention to detail, tradition and ingenuity, and we look forward to celebrating the world’s most exceptional motor car at this prestigious event.”
The finalists under consideration for the award are as follows:

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One of the most technologically advanced cars of its time, this impeccably restored vehicle belongs to the most sought-after Alfa models of the 1930s. Closely derived from the dominating racing version, with coachwork by Carrozzeria Touring of Milan, the elegant grand tourer is one of just seven Touring Spiders built on the long-wheelbase 2.9-litre chassis.

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Turismo Ferrari Cup, Cavallino Classic
Based on a model constructed primarily for competition, this small-bodied, right-hand-drive, open-top Ferrari was built for the Portuguese Ambassador in France, Jorge da Cunha d’Almeida Araujo. Its simple charm and elegance was brought to fruition by Vignale, after a sketch drawn by consultant stylist Giovanni Michelotti.

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Richard Mille
Powered by a supercharged engine and considered by many to be the first supercar ever made, the iconic rivets on this automobile penned by Jean Bugatti, Ettore’s son, are a result of the inability of the magnesium-alloy body panels to be welded for fear of them catching fire. Under the care of the Mullin Automotive Museum, this car, of which three were made, remains one of the most elegant crown jewels on the automotive circuit.

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Scaglione: Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este
The extraordinary dark red streamlined prototype was shown at the Turin Motor Show in 1957. Its historical calibre lies in its famous place as a link between Franco Scaglione’s legendary Alfa Romeo Berlinetta Aerodinamica Tecnica design studies and the production version of the Giulietta Sprint Speciale models that followed. Complementing the fluid body lines was a highly-tuned lightweight aluminium 1.3-litre engine delivering 100 horsepower.

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Court Palace
Lancias were brilliantly engineered cars and Vittorio Mussolini, son of Benito, wanted to enter their latest model, the V8-engined Astura, in racing. He ordered a body built by Castagna, initially planned for an Alfa Romeo, to replace the original body fitted on this car after having suitably modified its chassis. This true one-off is now fresh from a seven-year restoration and has recently won several awards on the concours circuit.

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d’Elegance
The 250 series established the Ferrari legend. Berlinettas and spiders dominated racing, whilst coupés and cabriolets were sold to prominent clients who enjoyed their Gran Turismo capabilities and did not mind displaying their wealth. Pinin Farina had become Ferrari’s favourite coachbuilder and penned this supremely elegant open two seater that was a perfect match for the music of its 3-litre, V12 engine.

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This stunning car is the result of German engineering combined with British craftsmanship. Built with lightweight tourer coachwork by Barker of London clothing a Ferdinand Porsche designed 7-litre supercharged engine, it is the vision of the British race car driver Lord Howe; which explains the striking Curzon Blue hue, the Howe family colour. It has since been restored by the current owner to the exact specifications of the noble family.

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Motorsports Gathering
The ATS is a landmark insofar as it was the first Italian GT mid-engined car. It was developed by ex-Ferrari engineers who had left after a row with Mrs Ferrari. In parallel they ran a Formula One team but results were not up to the expectations and backers soon retired. Between seven and ten road cars had been produced, all sporting tasteful Allemano coachwork, of which this is an even rarer lightweight version with a 2.5-litre, V8 engine.

The Best of Show winners under consideration will be reviewed by 24 preeminent motorcar experts, designers and notable celebrities in the motoring world, including:

20 years and has won numerous accolades.

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responsible for bringing the designs of the BMW, Mini Cooper, and Rolls Royce into the 21st century.

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now leads Aerovault to manufacture aerodynamically efficient single-car trailers.

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ambassador for BMW Group Classic, Cameron is now a retired aficionado who spends time working on classic cars.

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Italian, Japanese, French and German car companies. He is best known for his work as Chief Creative Officer at Pinin Farina S.p.A.

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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.

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world-renowned car collection.

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in 2015. The show has garnered several Emmy Awards and nominations for Outstanding Special Class Short-format Nonfiction Programs.

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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.

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sporting estate. He is the 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.

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the drummer in Pink Floyd, Nick has managed to compete regularly in a wide variety of racing events, including five times at Le Mans.

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judge at concours, including the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the former Louis Vuitton Classic, and Chantilly Art & Elegance.

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F1 road car.

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Corporation.

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designed and supervised projects such as the Ferrari Enzo and Maserati Quattroporte.

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coordinated restorations of some of the most significant cars produced in Italy. He has curated numerous historical exhibitions, co-authors the Classic Car Auction Yearbook, has been Chief Judge of the Ferrari 60 and Ferrari 70, Lamborghini 50 and Maserati 100 years Concours, and serves as Chief Class Judge of the FIVA Award at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

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India, is a famed classic and vintage car expert.

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group.

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Grand Prix victories before assuming several esteemed positions within the Ferrari-Maserati Group. Recently re-elected President of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), he will now hold this position until 2021. This is Jean’s third time in the role, after being elected in 2009 and 2013.

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.

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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 esteemed Automotive Hall of Fame.