What is the best classic car in the world?

This is one of the most common questions to bounce around the car community as it changes based on trends and fashions. The title of the best classic car in the world is often put down to the best classic car of all time, a title which is often given to cars such as the Porsche 911, Jaguar E-Type and the Ferrari 250 GTO. However, this title is given by Peninsula Classics who are behind all eight Concours D'Elegance that take place worldwide each year, and the best classic car is given to the best of all of the 'Best in Show' cars. This article will cover the 8 nominees before announcing what is officially, the best classic car in the world. 

The first nominee was the 1948 Talbot Lago T26 GS Fastback Coupe which won the Salon Prive Concours event held at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire. First displayed in 1947, this car is one of 12 made in the first production year of Talbot Lago and was one of the fastest cars at the time at 124mph. However, the Grand Sport (GS) was different to other Talbot cars as each model was built to the specification of the customer and therefore each of the bodies were built by a specialist coachbuilder. The coachbuilder for this chassis was Figoni et Falaschi, the same coachbuilder who would later commission the incredibly beautiful T150 'Teardrop' Coupe, giving the car an elegant blue body. This car underwent a full restoration prior to the Concours event and beat a Rolls Royce Silver Ghost and an Alfa Romeo 6C Gran Sport to the prestigious 'Best in Show' award. 

Next up is the winner of the Amelia Island Concours D'Elegance which was the 1938 Mercedes-Benz 540K Autobahn-Kurier. This is rumoured to be one of only two produced on the very limited 540K production run. It was commissioned to be used on the newly opened Autobahn motor network. The car was bought by its original owners when they saw the car's twin at the Paris Motor Show and toured from Spain to North Africa, travelling between Libya and Egypt before shipping to Greece and touring through Austria and Switzerland. It remained in the ownership of this family up until 2003 when it was bought by current owner Jim McManemon, who sent it for a full restoration. It has previously won Concours events but this is the first time it was awarded the 'Best in Show' award. 

In Palm Beach, Florida there is a car show seemingly made for fans of the prancing horse of Ferrari. Some of the rarest and most prestigious Ferraris of all time from 250 SWBs to F40s and the final three 335s to exist. The show also featured the most expensive car to sell at auction in the form of the Ferrari 250 GTO and the only bronze coloured Ferrari 250 GT California Spider ever made. However, the car that won the 'Best in Show' award was the 1958 Ferrari (surprise) 335S Spyder. Being one of only three surviving models, this car is exceptionally rare and as pretty as it is rare. First raced in 1959 but sent back to Italy after a blown engine but it was too costly to fix, so was returned to its home in the US and stored in a warehouse for a year before being bought for only $900. After it was bought it was restored with an original engine, and driven at the Le Mans 50th Anniversary celebrations. It went to auction in 1990 but didn't sell and was later sold for just over £5million. In a rare public appearance, it won the best in show award alongside the other two remaining 335Ss. 

The next event was the Cartier Style et Luxe which was held at the 2019 Goodwood Festival of Speed and therefore was an event I attended. The field was scattered with the most pristine classics that included a Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic, an Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato, Bentley R Types and even an Aston Martin Lagonda. However, to my surprise, none of these won the 'Best in Show' and the actual title went to the subtle and fairly cute Abarth 205 Monza. I saw this car and did the typical thing to take a photo, have a little look around and then leave. However, I should have had a read of the plaque besides it as it turns out this little Italian coupe is one of only three produced and has very little information known about it, but the rarity and style speaks for itself. It is a shame because this car was not looked at as much as maybe it should have been and I for one, regret not spending more time looking at it. 

I admit the final cars that won best in show, I know even less about than the previous cars. The only option is to simply list the cars and what shows they won their best in show award before getting to the answer of what is the best classic car in the world. At the 2019 Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille, the overall best in show went to the 1931 Bentley 8 Litre Foursome Coupe, the Hampton Court Palace best in show went to the 1919 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost Torpedo Skiff, the Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance winner was the 1931 Bentley 8 Litre Dual Cowl Tourer and finally at The Quail, a Motorsports Gathering, the winner of best in show went to the 1931 Stutz DV32 Convertible Victoria.

So what is the best classic car in the world? Well the judges at Peninsula Classics decided that the best classic car to win a best in show award this year was the 1958 Ferrari 335S due to its rarity, exceptional quality and exorbitant price tag. It'll be interesting to see what the Concours events of this year gives us to rival what is officially the best classic in the world.