Dazzling Best of the Best 2019 finalists revealed

By Lizzie Pope

| 13 Dec 2019

Classic & Sports Car – Dazzling Best of the Best 2019 finalists revealed

The eight spectacular finalists for The Peninsula Classics 2019 Best of the Best Award have been revealed – and they certainly live up to the accolade’s billing.

All contenders have already won best of show concours gongs at some of 2019’s most prestigious gatherings, three of which were here in the UK, and all will vie for the top prize, which will be revealed on 6 February 2020 at The Peninsula Paris.

(l-r): Salon Privé-winning Talbot Lago; Rolls-Royce won at Hampton Court

One of the favourites for the honour will be the 1938 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Autobahn-Kurier (pictured at the top of the page), which beat all-comers at the 24th Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance back in March.

It’ll face fierce competition, though, from the unique Figoni et Falaschi-bodied 1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport Coupé. Star of our December 2019 issue and owned by the Kudela family, it was Best of Show at Salon Privé at Blenheim Palace back in September.

The same weekend, at Hampton Court Palace’s Concours of Elegance, a gun-festooned 1919 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Torpedo Skiff, with coachwork by Barker, took home the top prize and is also shortlisted for February’s award.

Clockwise from top left: Goodwood-winning Abarth; Ferrari 335S Spyder; 8 Litre Foursome Coupé; Pebble Beach’s victorious Bentley

A pair of Italian cars also made the final eight. One is the 1958 Ferrari 335S Spyder, with coachwork by Scaglietti, which stole the show at the Cavallino Classic, while the other is the 1950 Abarth 205 Berlinetta which triumphed at yet another British event, Goodwood’s Cartier Style et Luxe Concours d’Elegance.

Two Bentleys will also tussle for the Peninsula award. There’s the 8 Litre Foursome Coupé, wearing Freestone & Webb coachwork, that’s qualified following its win at last summer’s Chantilly Arts & Elégance, and the Pebble Beach-winning, Gurney Nutting-bodied 1931 8 Litre Dual Cowl Tourer.

The 1931 Stutz DV32 Convertible Victoria

Last but not least is the only American-born contender, the 1931 Stutz DV32 Convertible Victoria, featuring coachwork by LeBaron, that scooped Best of Show at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering in August.

The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award was founded in 2015, to unite eight of the world’s Best of Show concours winners in an exclusive single contest.

2018’s winner was Ginny and David Sydorick’s 1937 Pebble Beach-conquering Alfa Romeo 8C-2900B Touring Berlinetta – 2019’s will be revealed in February.

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