Stirling Moss’ Mercedes tops first Concours Virtual

| 11 Aug 2020
Classic & Sports Car – Stirling Moss’ Mercedes tops first Concours Virtual

The W196S Mercedes-Benz 300SLR in which Stirling Moss and Denis Jenkinson famously won the 1955 Mille Miglia has been crowned Best in Show at Concours Virtual.

The free-to-view online concours d’elegance, launched to fill the void left by the cancellation of events due to coronavirus, featured a mouth-watering array of classic cars, a star-studded judging panel and raised in excess of £30,000 (and counting) for Unicef's pandemic appeal.

It is a particularly poignant win following Sir Stirling Moss’ death in April.

“The 722 Mercedes was Stirling’s favourite car and mine as well. Stirling and I drove the car at events all over the world and I am delighted that it has won,” said Lady Susie Moss. “It holds a special place in my heart, and it did in his.”

Classic & Sports Car – Stirling Moss’ Mercedes tops first Concours Virtual
Classic & Sports Car – Stirling Moss’ Mercedes tops first Concours Virtual

Stratos concept (left) was second, Porsche’s first Le Mans victor third

Bertone’s stunning, fully functioning Lancia Stratos HF Zero concept of 1970 claimed the runner-up spot, while in third was Richard Attwood and Hans Herrmann’s 1970 Le Mans-winning Porsche 917K.

In all, 245 cars were scrutinised by the judges before the winners were revealed, with just one claiming two trophies.

The car in question was Robert Kudela’s spell-binding 1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport with bodywork by Figoni & Falaschi (C&SC December 2019), that claimed the People's Choice Award and the Hagerty Junior Judges Award.

Classic & Sports Car – Stirling Moss’ Mercedes tops first Concours Virtual

This Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport was created for the ‘Zipper King’

More than 40 judges including Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason, five-time Le Mans winner Derek Bell, Pebble Beach concours chairman Sandra Button, The Duke of Richmond, Andrea Zagato, Hagerty CEO McKeel Hagerty, classic dealer Gregor Fisken and racer Lyn St James had the tough task of choosing the winners, and the full list is as follows:

  • Best of Show
    First: 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR '722', Mercedes-Benz Museum
    Second: 1970 Lancia Stratos HF Zero, private collector
    Third: 1970 Porsche 917K #23, private collector 
  • People's Choice Award
    1948 Talbot Lago T26 Grand Sport by Figoni & Falaschi, Robert Kudela
  • Hagerty Junior Judges Award
    1948 Talbot Lago T26 Grand Sport by Figoni & Falaschi, Robert Kudela 
  • Most Historically Significant Car
    1907 Thomas Flyer Model 35, National Automobile Museum
  • Most Ingenious Car
    1963 Rover-BRM Gas Turbine, British Motor Museum
  • The Inspiration in Motoring Award for the Most Fascinating Vehicle
    1970 Porsche 917 LH ‘Hippie Car' , Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum 
  • The Best Car to Start A Collection With
    1934 Alfa Romeo Gran Sport Zagato Testa Fissa, Mark Gessler 
  • The Spirit of Speed
    1960 Bluebird CN7, National Motor Museum
  • The Most Technologically Advanced Automobile
    1978 JPS Team Lotus 79/3, Classic Team Lotus
  • The Sports Car Market Choice
    1967 Ford GT MkIV, The Henry Ford
  • The Magneto Editor's Choice
    1973 Porsche 917/30 CanAm, Rob Kauffman
  • The Keeper of the Flame
    1913 SCAT 25/35hp Landaulette/Limousine, Lopresto Collection
     

Find out more here.

Images: Daimler AG/Evan Klein/Porsche/James Mann


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