The breathtaking 1964 Ferrari 250 LM has been crowned the winner of the 10th Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award 2024. This prestigious honor, presented at The Peninsula Paris, celebrates the pinnacle of classic automotive design and engineering. Competing against a select group of nine previous Best in Show winners from major concours events, the Ferrari 250 LM secured its place in the competition after earning the Best in Show title at the 2024 Cavallino Classic in January.
Chris Cox, the proud owner of the 1964 Ferrari 250 LM, expressed his gratitude, saying, “It is a tremendous honor to receive this distinguished award. Showcasing a car with such a remarkable history at the world’s most prestigious concours is an incredible experience, and winning The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award is the highest recognition a collector can achieve.”
First introduced in November 1963 in Paris, the Ferrari 250 LM (“Le Mans”) was developed as the Grand Touring version of the mid-engine Ferrari 250 P. Designed by Pininfarina and built by Scaglietti, this model was intended to succeed the legendary 250 GTO. Although it did not receive homologation in the GT class, the 250 LM proved its worth by securing victories at the 1965 Le Mans 24 Hours and the 1965 International Trophy for GT Prototypes.
With only 32 units produced, the 250 LM had a remarkable racing career from 1965 to 1967, claiming victories at Brands Hatch, Snetterton, and Silverstone in 1966. The car also participated in some of the most iconic endurance races, including the 1966 Daytona 24 Hours and the 1968 Le Mans 24 Hours.
Acquired by its current owner in 2018, the 1964 Ferrari 250 LM remains a celebrated part of Ferrari’s rich history. It was featured at the 2022 “Ferrari Forever” 75th anniversary exhibition at the Enzo Ferrari Museum in Modena, as well as in prestigious concours events like the 2022 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Most recently, it was showcased at Casa Ferrari in Pebble Beach in 2024 to commemorate Ferrari’s 70th anniversary in the United States.
Christian Philippsen, co-founder of The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award, praised the winner, stating, “The 1964 Ferrari 250 LM is far more than just a stunning car. It is one of Ferrari’s most innovative models, with a rich racing history and an extraordinary heritage. We are thrilled to honor a motorsport icon of this caliber as this year’s Best of the Best.”
The competition featured eight other distinguished classic automobiles, including:
The 2024 jury panel consisted of world-renowned automotive designers, enthusiasts, and executives, including Peter Brock, Fabio Filippini, former GM Vice President of Design Ed Welburn, and Henry Ford III. Notable figures such as Prince Michael of Kent, Rana Manvendra Singh of Barwani, Peter Marino, Ralph Lauren, and Jay Leno also participated in the selection process.
Founded in 2015 by Sir Michael Kadoorie, Chairman of The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited, along with William E. (Chip) Connor, Bruce Meyer, and Christian Philippsen, The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award is dedicated to celebrating, preserving, and restoring the finest automobiles. Sponsored by The Peninsula Hotels, a 158-year-old luxury hospitality group, the award brings together the world’s top concours winners, allowing enthusiasts to appreciate and honor these masterpieces of automotive history.
