BACK-TO-BACK CONCOURS WINS FOR FERRARI

A Ferrari sports-racer has scooped The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award for the second consecutive year, as a 1954 750 Monza topped a truncated shortlist following the cancellation of many events due to the pandemic.

The coveted trophy is usually chosen from the winners of eight of the world’s top concours, including the blue-riband Pebble Beach, but for 2020 just half of those events were able to take place, leading to only four nominees. They included the 1970 Le Mans-winning ’69 Porsche 917K that starred at the Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace, the Zagato-bodied 1931 Alfa Romeo 8C-2300 Monza Spider that triumphed at Salon Privé, and a towering Murphybodied 1929 Duesenberg Model J Town Limousine, which took the top award at Amelia Island.

The winning 750 Monza earned its place in the line-up after being crowned Best of Show at the Cavallino Classic, and it was a repeat victory for both marque and event because last year’s winning 1958 335S had also been crowned at the Palm Beach Ferrari bash.

The judging panel this year included former Formula One designer Gordon Murray and renowned collector Jay Leno. “It was a difficult task for our judges to select a winner,” said the award’s co-founder The Hon Sir Michael Kadoorie. “Judging procedures had to be carried out remotely and unfortunately the main awards event had to be cancelled, with safety our top priority. And with such a prestigious collection of nominees, choosing one winner was especially challenging.”

After a glittering racing career that included class wins at the Pebble Beach Road Races in 1955 and 1956, the 750 was eventually disassembled and spent 50 years in boxes prior to being bought by Tom and Jill Peck. A thorough restoration was begun in 2016, and by 2019 the Monza had collected the Enzo Ferrari Award at Pebble Beach before taking the top gong at the Cavallino Classic a year later.

“It is a true honour to be recognised by the venerable judges of The Peninsula Classics,” said Tom Peck. “Like so many classic cars, this one has been both a labour of love and the product of dedicated teamwork. The Best of the Best Award is a crowning achievement for everyone involved.”