Earlier this month the iconic 1937 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Berlinetta was dubbed the most prestigious car in the world at the fourth annual The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award Ceremony at The Peninsula Paris hotel. The event, which has become one of the most well respected in the automotive community, was founded in 2015 by the Hon. Sir Michael Kadoorie, Chairman of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited.
This exciting development comes just months after this Alfa Romeo was named “Best of Show” at the 2018 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Eight different “Best of Show” champions from the most respected concours competed for the award. Judges remarked that “the Alfa Romeo was the stand-out choice”.
“The winning Alfa Romeo is a perfect example of the type of car that inspired us to create this award,” said William E. (Chip) Connor, Chairman and CEO of William E. Connor & Associates Ltd, and co-founder of The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award. “To provide an opportunity for car lovers to pause a moment and celebrate flawless design and engineering of this calibre is truly an honour each year.”
The vehicle was unveiled using a ‘Shutter-Effect’, which allowed individual slats to be turned in sync to reveal the Alfa Romeo resting prominently on a bespoke up-lit pedestal.
The winning 1937 Alfa Romeo belongs to David and Ginny Sydorick, who are based in Southern California. In response to the car’s award, David Sydorick stated: “As an avid auto-collector, having two cars in the running for this year’s award was truly remarkable. It goes without saying that Ginny and I are ecstatic at the result – a proud moment for us both.”
The Owners Of The Winning Car, David And Ginny Sydorick With The
Hon. Sir Michael Kadoorie And His Fellow Peninsula Classics Best Of The Best Award Founders
For many years regarded as the quickest grand tourer, the vehicle in racing trim was engineered to perfection by Ingegner Vittorio Jano. The initial intention for the 8C 2900 was to compete in the Mille Miglia, which it captured first place in during the 1935, 1936, 1937, 1938 and 1947 competitions.
The winning car, which is build number 412020 is regarded as the first of only five known Berlinettas crafted on the Lungo chassis, marking the beginning of the Superleggera model. The Milanese coach-builder, Carrozzeria Touring, was founded in 1925; it was unique in the fact that they initially contracted Charles Weymann’s system of fabric-covered lightweight bodies and then conceived their own ‘Superleggera’ construction. The Superleggera’s frame is constructed from small-diameter steel tubes covered by thin alloy body panels that fit perfectly within the automobile body’s shape.
Luke Evans, Hannah Bronfman And Brendan Fallis
Well known personalities who attended the Peninsula Classics Best of the Best event included On-Camera Personality, Hannah Bronfman along with her DJ husband, Brendan Fallis; as well as actor Luke Evans of ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ ‘The Alienist,’ and ‘Girl on a Train’.
Image credit: @janacallmej provided by JMPR Public Relations
