The Best of the Best Award 2025 takes place on January 26 in Paris, showcasing seven rare classics selected from top concours winners.
Organized by The Peninsula Hotels group, The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award ranks among the most respected honors in the automotive world. Its mission is to crown the rarest classic cars that embody the peak of design and engineering.
For the 2025 edition, a carefully selected jury has announced the seven finalists competing for the title of the world’s best classic car. The ceremony is set for January 26 and brings together winners from leading international concours events.
A jury made up of top names
The judges include comedian and TV host Jay Leno, race car driver and sports-car constructor Gordon Murray, and influential automotive designer Gorden Wagener. They will be joined by acclaimed automotive architects, former industry leaders, and members of international royalty, creating one of the field’s most prestigious panels.
“This award is more than a celebration of engineering excellence; it is a tribute to the art, legacy, and cultural relevance of the automobile,” said Sir Michael Kadoorie, chairman of The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited, and co-founder of The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award.
According to Kadoorie, “each finalist represents a chapter in automotive history, created by visionary designers and preserved for future generations.”
Ceremony at The Peninsula Paris
The award will be presented at The Peninsula Paris and is expected to welcome automotive enthusiasts and celebrities from around the globe. After the ceremony, the winning car will be displayed in partnership with Rétromobile, one of the world’s best-known classic-car shows, from January 28 to February 1, 2026.
The seven finalist cars
1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom I “Phantom of Love”, coachwork by Charles Clark & Son Ltd. Best of Show, Concours of Elegance 2025, Hampton Court Palace
1934 Alfa Romeo Tipo B, factory coachwork. Best of Show, Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2025
1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K Spezial Roadster, coachwork by Sindelfingen. Best of Show, Salon Privé 2025
1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B, coachwork by Stabilimenti Farina. Best of Show, Amelia Concours d’Élégance 2025
1951 Bentley Mark VI Cresta II, coachwork by Facel Metallon. Best of Show, Goodwood Cartier Style et Luxe Concours d’Élégance 2025
1954 Ferrari 375 MM, coachwork by Ghia. Best of Show, Cavallino Classic 2025
1996 Ferrari F50 GT, coachwork by Pininfarina. Best of Show, The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering 2025
