The 1937 Talbot-Lago T150-C SS, chassis 90106, owned by Peter and Merle Mullin was named winner of the inaugural Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award. A total of six Best of Show winners from top 2015 Concours around the globe competed for the title of the most exceptional car in the world. This year’s winner was announced at a private dinner during the Monterey Car Week on Tuesday, August 16, 2016.
The winning Coupe Aerodynamique ‘Goutte d’Eau’ with coachwork by Figoni et Falaschi was previously named Best in Show at Goodwood Cartier Style et Luxe and has won prizes at Concours in the Pre-War Europe category.
The Hon. Sir Michael Kadoorie, Chairman of The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited, and parent company of The Peninsula Hotels, together with award co-founders Christian Philippsen, William E. “Chip” Connor II and Bruce Meyer, created this award in the spirit of celebrating the best of what defines the automotive world for the year.
“It has been said that the look of the Talbot-Lago Teardrop epitomized speed, aerodynamic efficiency and elegance. Its form was perfect for an object in motion, resembling raindrops as they fall to earth,” said Kadoorie. “We are delighted to have awarded this exceptional motor car with the inaugural The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award.”
The winning automobile was selected after being reviewed by 24 motor car experts, designers and celebrities in the motoring world.
“I’m thrilled that Peter’s car won this year’s Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award,” said Jay Leno. “The judges were all in agreement that the Talbot deserved the award not only for its incredible look, but because Peter’s cars are always restored as originally intended to a precise level of historic time and detail, and that’s what makes the Talbot so special.”
Finalists for the 2016 the Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award:
- 1903 Mercedes 60HP Simplex: Royal Concours of Elegance – One of four in existence, having been preceded by the Mercedes 35hp, which had once been the fastest production car in the world. It remains Mercedes’ top of the range model, having also been named Best in Show at the Royal Concours of Elegance.
- 1932 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A S Sport Cabriolet: Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance – This car has had only four owners from new, and it has lived a quiet life in Switzerland and France its entire life until coming to North America in 2014.
- 1930 Cord L29 Brooks Stevens Speedster: Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance – Before taking home Best of Show at the 20th Annual Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, this hot rod was heralded as defining the mid-century American aesthetic in the automotive industry.
- 1937 Talbot-Lago T150C SS ‘Goutte d’Eau’: Goodwood Cartier Style et Luxe – This coachwork by Figoni et Falaschi has won prizes at every major concours in pre-war Europe and is famed for having both redefined automotive style and having won top-level races. The ‘Teardrop’ became trend setting and motivated many other French manufacturers to consider a similar streamlined design.
- 1965 Ferrari 166 P / 206 SP Dino 0834: Cavallino Classic – This one-of-a-kind Dino was first entered by Scuderia Ferrari in 1965 and raced by Giancarlo Baghetti and later by Ludovico Scarfiotti to many wins over its long history.
- 1968 Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 Stradale: The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering – Since its restoration in 2004, this Tipo 33 Stradale has won four top honors, including Best in Show at the 2015 Quail.
“I’m very honored that this sculptural example of rolling art has been selected for this prestigious prize,” said Peter Mullin, Founder of the Mullin Automotive Museum and Chairman of the Petersen Automotive Museum.
The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award trophy was designed by Douglas Young, founder of the HK lifestyle brand G.O.D. and produced by the Czech-based glass artisan brand, Lasvit. Created from hand-blown glass, bronze and stone, Young’s design inspiration was drawn from the 1934 Rolls-Royce Phantom II at The Peninsula Hong Kong. Lasvit has enjoyed a close relationship with The Peninsula Hotels over the years with custom glass installations for their properties in Paris and Hong Kong.
For more information, visit Peninsula.com/BestoftheBest.
[Source: Peninsula Hotels]
I met a gentleman who was making recreations of these beautiful Talbots. His operations were in Florida. I saw his lovely car at the annual Hershey A.A.C.A. fall meet about 15 years ago. I believe his price was around $95,000.00. I wonder if these are still available? Anyone know?