1935 Duesenberg wins Best of the Best of Show at Peninsula Classics

For the first time in London, the prestigious Best of the Best Award was presented at the annual Peninsula Classics event. This award selects the best among the eight Best of Show winners from the most important elegance contests each year. After Paris and California, the luxurious evening was dedicated to the eight winning cars of 2023 — the 2024 awards will be given next year — with voting from 26 selected experts from the worlds of art, automotive culture, and high-end collections.

The eight Best of Show winners from the most prestigious elegance contests in 2023, finalists for the Best of the Best Award, The Peninsula Classics.

Predicting the outcome was nearly impossible given the quality of the eight finalists: two stunning Ferraris — the 1953 250 Berlinetta and the 1956 410 Superamerica “Super Fast” Pininfarina with refined American taste, winners at the Palm Beach Cavallino Classic and The Quail Motorsport Gathering. Then another Italian masterpiece, the 1955 Maserati A6GCS/53 with its impeccable Frua bodywork. Two French contenders, the 1935 Voisin C25 Aerodyne and the 1937 Bugatti 57S Roadster, Best of Show winners at The Amelia in the USA and at Salon Privé in England. Representing Germany and England were two 1937 models: the Mercedes-Benz 540 SSK, which triumphed at Pebble Beach, and the Bentley 4¼-liters Rothschild Sedan Coupé, the standout at Goodwood Cartier Style and Lux. Finally, a spectacular American entry: the 1935 Duesenberg Model J Speedster, with a captivating black and orange design, complemented by orange leather upholstery.

The winner of the 2023 Best of the Best Award, The Peninsula Classics, is the 1935 Duesenberg Model J Speedster from the Lyon Collection in America.

Among the attendees, including Fritz Kaiser, founder of Roarington.com, and Antonio Ghini, Editor-in-Chief of The Key magazine, the big question was whether the winner would be a pre- or post-War car. In the end, a post-War car prevailed: the Duesenberg Model J, presented at Villa d'Este in Italy by Bill Lyon in honor of his late father, William, who had bought and meticulously restored the car. Lyon’s wife and young daughter were present, with the daughter receiving the victory bouquet, showing confidence that will surely serve her well in life. Once again, congratulations to the four promoters of this brilliant event: Sir Michael Kadoorie, William Connor II, Bruce Meyer, and Christian Philippsen, true representatives of automotive culture and passion.

Bill Lyon with his family and the founders of the 2023 Best of the Best Award, The Peninsula Classics, in London to receive the prize.