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, awarded by Peninsula. The car was chosen from a select group of vehicles that won top prizes in international competitions over the last year.
The specimen became eligible after winning the Best of Show award at The Amelia in 2025. The maximum consecration took place at a ceremony held at The Peninsula Paris, on January 26, an event that brought together international guests and was attended by actress Nicole Kidman.
On behalf of The Keller Collection, owner of the vehicle, Deborah Keller highlighted the historical value of the winner. According to her, the 8C 2900B “exemplifies the golden era of Italian automotive design and craftsmanship” and reinforces the importance of preserving highly relevant classic automobiles.
Launched in 1937, the Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B is considered one of the fastest and most exclusive Italian cars of the late 1930s. While most examples received a Touring body, the award-winning vehicle is unique: it was commissioned by the Italian driver Giuseppe Nino Farina, future first official Formula 1 world champion, in 1950. The model received an exclusive body from Stabilimenti Farina, a company founded in 1906 by the father of Nino, as well as styling contributions from his uncle, Battista Pinin Farina, one of the most influential names in automotive design.
Purchased in partially restored condition, the car underwent a complete restoration completed in 1995. In the same year, it was displayed at Pebble Beach and subsequently presented at several European competitions. The 8C also participated 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 status of the 8C 2900B as the fastest and most exclusive Italian automobile of its time.
After the ceremony, the car will be displayed at Rétromobile, a traditional classic vehicle show in Paris, between January 28th and February 1st, 2026.
Six other models competed for the award, including a 1934 Alfa Romeo Type 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 presenter 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. The initiative is presented by The Peninsula Hotels, annually bringing 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.
