Best of the Best crowned

Extravagant Paris ceremony reveals beautiful Maranello racer as the Peninsula Classics’ concours king of kings

AndreAs Mohringer’s 1958 Ferrari 335S Spyder Scaglietti has been officially declared the Peninsula Classics Best of the Best at a glitzy gala ceremony in Paris. The Ferrari qualified for the accolade by taking top honours at the 2019 Cavallino Classic in Florida, one of a raft of key global concours events whose winners automatically go forward for Best of the Best consideration. The finalists were then judged by a panel of experts, including Henry Ford III, Jay Leno and Nick Mason, after which the reveal was made following a star-studded dinner at the Peninsula Hotel in Paris.

In taking the award, the Ferrari vanquished fierce competition from a 1948 Figoni et Falaschi Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport Coupé (winner, Salon Privé 2019), a 1938 MercedesBenz 540K Autobahn-Kurier (Amelia Island), a 1950 Vignale Abarth 205 Berlinetta (Cartier Style et Luxe), a 1931 Freestone & Webb Bentley 8 Litre Foursome Coupé (Chantilly Arts & Elégance Richard Mille), a 1919 RollsRoyce Silver Ghost Barker Torpedo Skiff (Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court), a 1931 Gurney Nutting Bentley 8 Litre Dual Cowl Tourer (Pebble Beach) and a 1931 LeBaron Stutz DV32 Convertible Victoria (The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering).

The winning Ferrari was the 1959 New York Show star. It then had a rich competition career, and a variety of owners, before washing up with Mohringer in Austria. Following a complete restoration by Paul Russell in the USA, it won its class at the 2017 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and best of show at the 2018 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este before taking the top prize at the Cavallino Classic.

The owner said: ‘After restoring this extremely noteworthy car back to its former glory, it is an absolute joy to share it with the world. We’re thrilled that the judges have recognised how special this vehicle is and it is a great honour to be presented with this prestigious award.’

Octane’s Jay Leno, who was among the judges, said: ‘It is difficult as a judge to choose a winner for The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award because each vehicle has already been selected as one of the best and most prestigious in the world and they’re all immaculate. We selected the Ferrari because of its extremely detailed history, including its racing heritage. Of course, it’s also an incredibly beautiful vehicle.’

There will be a full and exclusive feature on the winning Ferrari in 203, May issue, which is published on 25 March.