Paris, January 27, 2026 – A 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B has been announced as the winner of the prestigious The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best award, presented by Peninsula. The automobile was selected from an elite group of vehicles that won top honors at major international concours events over the past year.
The example became eligible after winning Best of Show at The Amelia in 2025. The top distinction was conferred at a ceremony held at The Peninsula Paris on January 26, an event attended by international guests and featuring the presence of actress Nicole Kidman.
On behalf of The Keller Collection, the vehicle’s owner, Deborah Keller highlighted the winner’s historical value. According to her, the 8C 2900B “exemplifies the golden age of Italian automotive design and craftsmanship” and underscores the importance of preserving highly significant classic automobiles.
Introduced in 1937, the Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B is regarded as one of the fastest and most exclusive Italian cars of the late 1930s. While most examples were bodied by Touring, the award-winning car is unique: it was commissioned by Italian driver Giuseppe Nino Farina, who would become Formula 1’s first official world champion in 1950. The model received a bespoke body by Stabilimenti Farina, a company founded in 1906 by Nino’s father, along with styling contributions from his uncle, Battista Pinin Farina, one of the most influential names in automotive design.
Acquired in partially restored condition, the car underwent a complete restoration completed in 1995. That same year, it was displayed at Pebble Beach and later presented at several European concours events. The 8C also took part in the Monte Carlo Rally, where it won the Parade of Elegance in front of the Hotel de Paris.
For Christian Philippsen, co-founder of the award, the winner “represents the pinnacle of pre-war performance engineering,” reinforcing the 8C 2900B’s status as the fastest and most exclusive Italian automobile of its era.
+ Ukraine Negotiates Additional Mirage 2000-5 Fighters With France
Following the ceremony, the car will be displayed at Rétromobile, the traditional classic vehicle show in Paris, from January 28 to February 1, 2026.
Six other models competed for the prize, including a 1934 Alfa Romeo Tipo B, a 1954 Ferrari 375 MM, a 1996 Ferrari F50 GT, a 1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K Spezial Roadster, a 1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom I, and a 1951 Bentley Mark VI Cresta II.
The jury brought together renowned designers, executives, and enthusiasts such as Gordon Murray, Henry Ford III, and Italian designer Fabio Filippini, as well as television host Jay Leno and members of international royalty.
Created in 2015 by the Hon. Sir Michael Kadoorie, the Best of the Best award celebrates the preservation and restoration of the world’s finest automobiles. Presented by The Peninsula Hotels, the initiative annually brings together enthusiasts and collectors to highlight some of the most important classic cars in history.
Source and images: Peninsula Classics Best of the Best. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
