In the rarefied world of concours-level automobiles, few honors carry the gravitas of The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award. Reserved exclusively for the most exceptional winners from the world’s leading concours events, the annual accolade is less a competition than a coronation – one that will culminate on January 26, 2026, at The Peninsula Paris, where a single automobile will be named the most exquisite classic motorcar on the planet from 2025.
This year’s seven finalists represent an extraordinary cross-section of automotive history, spanning seven decades of design, performance, and craftsmanship. Each has already earned Best of Show honors at globally revered events, from Villa d’Este and Pebble Beach-adjacent The Quail, to Goodwood, Amelia Island, and Hampton Court Palace. Only one, however, will ascend to the pinnacle.
“This award is more than a celebration of engineering excellence – it is a tribute to the artistry, heritage, and cultural significance of the automobile,” said The Hon. Sir Michael Kadoorie, chairman of The Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited, and co-founder of The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award. “Each finalist represents a chapter in the story of motoring history, crafted by visionary designers and preserved for future generations.”
Appropriately, the ceremony unfolds at The Peninsula Paris, a century- old landmark whose Belle Époque elegance and proximity to the city’s most iconic monuments provide an atmospheric backdrop befitting such mechanical masterpieces. Following the announcement, the winning car will enjoy a public encore, displayed in partnership with Rétromobile from January 28 to February 1, 2026, placing it among the world’s most celebrated historic automobiles once more.
A Roll Call of Automotive Royalty
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The 2025 finalists read like a greatest-hits compilation of coach-built excellence and motorsport pedigree. At one end of the spectrum stands the 1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom I “Phantom of Love,” clothed in romantic coachwork by Charles Clark & Son Ltd., fresh from its Best of Show victory at the Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace. From pre-WWII Britain to prewar Italy, the 1934 Alfa Romeo Tipo B, factory-bodied and victorious at Villa d’Este, represents motorsport purity distilled into one of the most& influential Grand Prix cars ever built.
Germany answers with the 1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K Spezial Roadster by Sindelfingen, a rolling sculpture crowned Best of Show at Salon Privé, and engineering elegance taken to its apex. Italy responds once more with the 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B by Stabilimenti Farina, widely regarded as one of the most beautiful cars ever made, and the top honor recipient at the Amelia Concours d’Élégance.
Post-WWII optimism is embodied by the 1951 Bentley Mark VI Cresta II, styled by Facel Metallon, whose Best of Show win at Goodwood’s Cartier Style et Luxe underscores the era’s evolving luxury aesthetic. From Maranello’s golden age comes the 1954 Ferrari 375 MM, bodied by Ghia, and celebrated at the Cavallino Classic, a reminder of Ferrari’s early mastery of both competition and couture.
Rounding out the field is the youngest – and perhaps most surprising – contender: the 1996 Ferrari F50 GT by Pininfarina, an uncompromisingly race-bred machine that captured Best of Show at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, and signals the growing recognition of ultra-rare modern classics within elite concours circles.
Judged by Icons
Selecting a single winner from such a rarified company falls to one of the most distinguished judging panels in the automotive world. The 2025 jury includes Jay Leno, renowned collector and automotive raconteur; Gordon Murray, legendary engineer and designer of the McLaren F1; and Gorden Wagener, Mercedes-Benz’s influential chief design officer. They are joined by automotive architects, former industry leaders, and international royalty – ensuring that the final decision balances historical importance, design purity, and cultural resonance.
Launched in 2015 by Sir Michael Kadoorie alongside co-founders William E. “Chip” Connor, Bruce Meyer, and Christian Philippsen, The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award has become the ultimate accolade in the collector-car world. Sponsored annually by The Peninsula Hotels, it celebrates not only immaculate restoration and provenance, but also the enduring legacy of the automobile as rolling art.
As Paris prepares to host the final judgment, one truth is already clear: in a field this exceptional, the real triumph lies in preserving – and honoring – the finest chapters of motoring history.
