Best of the Best Award. Who’s the fairest of them all? - 3rd and 4th edition

3rd edition 2017: Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic

In 2017, the owners of the five cars on the list to compete with the Bugatti Type 57 SC, the famous Atlantic, knew beforehand that they had no chance of victory: the first one produced, completely intact since 1936 when it was delivered to Nathaniel Mayer Victor Rothschild, Third Baron Rothschild and perfectly preserved, could not possibly have any rivals. And so it was: not even the magnificent Lancia Astura Aerodinamica from 1933 by Castagna or the mighty Mercedes Benz S from 1917 could worry her. The other cars in contention, the Best of Show jewels from the most important competitions in the world, were all Italian with two Ferraris, two Alfa Romeos and an ATS.

Best of the Best Award winner: 1936 Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic

In addition to the magnificence of its line characterized by the riveted sheets that accentuates its design, the Bugatti Atlantic carries a message that touches the heart. It was in fact the masterpiece of Ettore Bugatti’s son, Jean, who died two years later during a test drive, a tragic event that marked the end of the Bugatti legend. Indeed, he was the only one in the post-war period who possessed the talent and ingenuity to bring Bugatti into a new era.

1929 Mercedes-Benz S Roadster By Barker Best of Show at Pebble Beach 2017 1957 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Speciale Prototipo By Bertone Best of Show at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2017 1964 Ats 2500 Gts Coupé By Allemano Best of Show at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering 2017

4th edition 2018: Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Berlinetta Touring

Four against four. Pre-wars against post-wars, in the contest for the Best of the Best 2018; among the first, a German, the Mercedes 260 S Boat Tail Roadster, an American, the Duesenberg JSJ Convertible, a French, the Bugatti Type 55 Roadster and an Italian, the Alfa Romeo 2900B Berlinetta Touring. But three of the post-war contenders were not to be dismissed: rare, perfectly preserved, cautiously restored, and cherished by their owners: the Lancia Aurelia PF 200C, with coachwork by Pininfarina inspired by the jets that had recently appeared in the skies of the 50s, the Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta long wheelbase with coachwork by Zagato including the classic double bubble on the roof and the magnificent Ferrari 335S sport prototype, with bodywork by Scaglietti. Against these, the Monteverdi 378L had very little chance of success.

2018 Best of the Best Award winner: 1937 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Berlinetta

Fun fact: one of the competing collectors this year had two cars in the running: David Sydorick who had obtained the Best of Show both at Cavallino Classic and at Pebble Beach. This in itself is already a record.

And it was Sydorick himself who took home the title with his 1937 Alfa Romeo Touring. The prize was awarded in Paris, at the luxurious Peninsula Paris on Avenue Kléber. The right emotion, on receiving the award, together with his wife Ginny.

1953 Lancia Aurelia PF200C Spider Coachwork By Pinin Farina Best of Show at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering 2018 1933 Bugatti Type 55 Roadster Coachwork By Jean Bugatti Best of Show at Salon Privé 2018 1956 Ferrari 250 GT Coupé Coachwork By Zagato Best of Show at Cavallino Classic 2018