In the rarefied world of concours d’elegance, where history, craftsmanship, and provenance converge, only one automobile each year earns the title of the very best. For 2026, that distinction belongs to a breathtaking 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B, newly crowned the winner of The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award, widely regarded as the most prestigious honor in the global collector car calendar.
The award was presented on January 26 at The Peninsula Paris, during a glamorous, invitation-only ceremony attended by international tastemakers and cultural figures, including actress Nicole Kidman. Selected from an elite field of prior Best of Show winners from the world’s leading concours events, the Alfa Romeo emerged as the consensus choice among an influential panel of judges drawn from the highest tiers of automotive design, industry leadership, and collecting.
Eligibility for the honor was secured after the car claimed Best of Show at The Amelia in 2025, cementing its reputation as one of the most significant prewar automobiles in existence.
“I am thrilled and deeply honored to accept The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award,” said Deborah Keller on behalf of The Keller Collection, owner of the winning car. “This unique vehicle exemplifies the golden era of Italian automotive design and craftsmanship, and every time I see it, I am reminded why such magnificent automobiles deserve to be preserved and celebrated.”
A Coachbuilt One-Off With Racing Royalty in Its DNA
Introduced in 1937, the Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B is universally regarded as one of the fastest, most advanced, and most exclusive Italian cars of the late 1930s. While most examples were fitted with elegant Touring coachwork, this particular car stands alone.
Its original owner was Giuseppe ‘Nino’ Farina, the legendary Italian racing driver who would later become Formula 1’s first World Champion in 1950. Farina commissioned a bespoke body that paid homage to his family’s deep roots in Italian automotive design, resulting in the only 8C 2900B ever clothed by Stabilimenti Farina, the renowned coachbuilder founded by his father in 1906.
Adding another layer of historical significance, the design bears contributions from Farina’s uncle, Battista ‘Pinin’ Farina, one of the most influential automotive designers of the 20th century and the founder of Pininfarina. The result is a singular automobile that seamlessly blends racing pedigree, bespoke craftsmanship, and Italian design heritage.
Restoration, Recognition, and a Life on the World Stage
When acquired by its current custodians, the Alfa Romeo was in partially restored condition. A complete restoration was finalized in 1995, after which the car was shown at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance the same year. It then returned to Europe, where it appeared at several premier concours events and participated in the Monte-Carlo Rally, including a Parade of Elegance, which it won in front of the famed Hotel de Paris.
“The winning 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B represents the pinnacle of prewar performance engineering,” said Christian Philippsen, co-founder of The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award. “It served as the fastest and most exclusive Italian automobile of its era, and we could not be more thrilled to recognise it as the best of the best.”
Following its Paris triumph, the Alfa Romeo will be displayed at Rétromobile, the revered Paris-based classic car show, from January 28 to February 1, 2026, offering enthusiasts a rare opportunity to experience the award-winning car up close.
An Elite Field and a Distinguished Jury
The Alfa Romeo prevailed over six other extraordinary finalists, including a 1934 Alfa Romeo Tipo B, 1954 Ferrari 375 MM, 1996 Ferrari F50 GT, 1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K Spezial Roadster, 1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom I, and 1951 Bentley Mark VI Cresta II.
Founded in 2015 by The Hon. Sir Michael Kadoorie, The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award celebrates the preservation, restoration, and cultural importance of the world’s finest automobiles. Presented by The Peninsula Hotels, whose portfolio of landmark properties has defined luxury hospitality for nearly a century, the award stands as the ultimate recognition in the collector car world – where only the most exceptional automobiles are invited to compete, and just one earns the title of best of the best.
Judging duties were handled by an illustrious panel that included Gordon Murray, Henry Ford III, and Fabio Filippini, alongside some of the world’s most prominent collectors and enthusiasts, including Jay Leno and several international royal figures.
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Images: Kahn Media
