Ferrari 250 GT Wins The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award

The Peninsula Hotels announced the 1956 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Competizione as the winner of The Peninsula Classics 2021 Best of the Best Award on Sunday, August 14 at the Quail Lodge & Golf Club in Carmel, CA.

The spectacular Ferrari was one of eight finalists for the award, with each earning top honors at world’s premier Concours d’Elegance events in 2021. Owned by Brian and Kim Ross, the 250 GT qualified for the honor after winning Best of Show at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este.

Brian and Kim Ross, owners of the winning car, with The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award Founders.
Image: Courtesy of The Peninsula Hotels

One of just nine 250 GT Berlinetta Competizione examples produced, the winning example is further distinguished as its body was updated in-period by famed Italian coachbuilder Scaglietti. The carrozzeria updated the car with a lower nose, smaller grille, rear spoiler and covered headlights. It was later discovered that it is also in-fact fitted with the first prototype of the Ferrari 12B V12 engine.

“Winning the Best of the Best Award is a great achievement and a true honor,” said Mr. Brian Ross,
owner of the 1956 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Competizione. “It is a magnificent recognition of the
multiple years spent trying to get my hands on this 250 GT and the hard work that went into the years long restoration process. All of the other nominees have fantastic vehicles so I am incredibly humbled
to be selected by the acclaimed judges for this award. Winning Best of the Best is a true dream.”

Among the other seven finalists were three variants of Mercedes’ 1938 540K — the 540K Autobahn-Kurier that won Best of Show at the 70th Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, a 540K Spezial Roadster, crowned Best of Show at the 2021 The Quail, a Motorsports Gathering, and a 540K Cabriolet A that won Best in Show at the 2021 Salon Privé.

Also in the running was a 1934 Avions Voisin Type C27 Aérosport Coupe, 1974 Lancia Stratos HF Stradale, 1957 250 GT Berlinetta Tour de France and a 1926 Hispano-Suiza H6B Cabriolet. They won Best of Show at the 2021 Concours d’Elegance at Hampton Court Palace, the Goodwood Cartier Style et Luxe Concours d’Elegance, Best in Show at the 2021 Cavallino Classic and Best of Show at the Amelia Island Concours, respectively.

Learn more about The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award and the 2021 finalist s here.