Carmel-by-the-Sea, Calif. (August 17, 2016) Monterey Car Week, the 1937 Talbot-Lago T150-C SS, Chassis No. 90106 Coupé aérodynamique ‘Goutte d’Eau’, Figoni & Falaschi owned by Peter and Merle Mullin and The Peter Mullin Automotive Museum Foundation was named winner of the prestigious
This masterful coachwork by Figoni et Falaschi was previously the “Best in Show” winner at Goodwood Cartier Style et Luxe and has won prizes at every major concours in pre-war Europe. The automobile is famed for having both redefined automotive style and having won top-level races.
In its inaugural year, The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award brought together six of the world’s finest automobiles from top concours events internationally, to compete for the title of the most exceptional car in the world.
The Hon. Sir Michael Kadoorie, Chairman of The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited, and parent company of The Peninsula Hotels, together with award co-founders Christian Philippsen, William E. “Chip” Connor II and Bruce Meyer, created this award in the spirit of celebrating the best of what defines the automotive world for the year. Philippsen is known as one of the world’s most prominent classic automobile authorities, Connor leads the world of international vintage car collecting, while also being a passionate amateur race car driver and Meyer is praised for having co-curated one of the premier vintage car collections in the United States at the Petersen Automotive Museum. Each of the founders are widely heralded as some the world’s foremost international motoring experts, brought together by their appreciation of fine motor vehicles, immaculate restoration and the preservation of their heritage.
“It has been said that the look of the Talbot-Lago Teardrop epitomized speed, aerodynamic efficiency and elegance. Its form was perfect for an object in motion, resembling raindrops as they fall to earth,” said Kadoorie. “We are delighted to have awarded this exceptional motor car with the inaugural The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award.”
The winning automobile was selected after being reviewed by 24 preeminent motorcar experts, designers and notable celebrities in the motoring world, including:
· Anne Asensio, best known for her work as former Executive Design Director at General Motors
· Chris Bangle, best known for his work as Chief of Design for the BMW Group
· Singh Manvendra Barwani, well known auto enthusiast and curator of the Indian Cartier Style et Luxe
· Peter Brock, best known for his work on the Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe and Corvette Sting Ray
· Ian Callum, Director of Design for Jaguar Cars
· Ian Cameron, Brand Ambassador and former Chief Designer of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
· Miles Collier, who spearheaded the design behind the world-class Collier Collection
· Luc Donckerwolke, designer for Hyundai’s Genesis premium brand
· Fabio Filippini, Design Director of Pininfarina
· Henry Ford III, the great-great grandson of Ford Motor founder Henry Ford
· The Earl of March, Founder of the Goodwood Festival of Speed and President of the British Automobile Racing Club
· Ralph Lauren, global fashion tycoon
· Jay Leno, who is currently launching the second season of Jay Leno’s Garage on NBC
· Flavio Manzoni, automobile designer best known for his work at Ferrari, Lancia and Volkswagen
· Nick Mason, former Pink Floyd drummer and classic car enthusiast
· François Melcion, Director of Rétromobile chez Comexposium
· Gordon Murray, best known for his work as a designer of Formula One race cars and the McLaren F1 road car
· Shiro Nakamura, the Japanese car designer currently serves as Senior Vice President of Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.
· Ken Okuyama, is widely known for his work with Pininfarina, where he designed and supervised projects such as the Enzo Ferrari and Ferrari P4/5
· Adolfo Orsi Jr.,well known auto historian and grandson and son of Adolfo and Omer Orsi, owners of Maserati between 1937 and 1967
· Frank Stephenson, McLaren’s Automotive Design Director
· Jean Todt, after a career as a rally co-driver he worked in motor sport management, first with Peugeot Talbot Sport, then with Scuderia Ferrari, before being appointed Chief Executive Officer of Ferrari before assuming his current role as President of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile
· Gorden Wagener, Chief Designer of Mercedes-Benz
· Edward T. Welburn, former Vice President of Global Design at General Motors who retired in July 2016 after 44 years at GM
“I’m thrilled that Peter’s car won this year’s Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award,” said Jay Leno. “The judges were all in agreement that the Talbot deserved the award not only for its incredible look, but because Peter’s cars are always restored as originally intended to a precise level of historic time and detail, and that’s what makes the Talbot so special.”
The other finalists for the award were as follows:
· 1903 Mercedes 60HP Simplex: Concours of Elegance
· 1924 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A F. Ramseier & Cie Worblaufen Cabriolet: Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
· 1930 Cord L29 Brooks Stevens Speedster: Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance
· 1965 Ferrari 166 P / 206 SP Dino 0834: Cavallino Classic
· 1968 Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 Stradale: The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering
“I’m very honored that this sculptural example of rolling art has been selected for this prestigious prize,” said Peter Mullin, Founder of the Mullin Automotive Museum and Chairman of the Petersen Automotive Museum.
The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award trophy was designed by Douglas Young, founder of the HK lifestyle brand G.O.D. and produced by the Czech-based bespoke glass artisan brand, Lasvit. Created from hand-blown glass, bronze and stone, Young’s design inspiration was drawn from the 1934 Rolls-Royce Phantom II at The Peninsula Hong Kong. Lasvit has enjoyed a close relationship with The Peninsula Hotels over the years with custom glass installations for their properties in Paris and Hong Kong.
The Peninsula Hotels, owned and operated by The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited, is proud to sponsor The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award, a natural extension of the group’s passion and appreciation for luxury, travel and the motoring lifestyle. With 10 hotels in global gateway cities throughout Asia, USA and Europe, The Peninsula Hotels celebrate glamour in travel, and aims to showcase the ultimate in sophistication, innovation and design. Known for its timelessly elegant hotels, discreet integration of technology and functionality, and extensive fleet of luxury transport, the group aims to bring its heritage and expertise to celebrate the very best in the world of motoring.
For more information, please visit http://peninsula.com/bestofthebest.