1956 Ferrari 250 GT Wins at Peninsula Classics

Die-hard gearheads with the means descended upon the tranquil Central California coast to celebrate Monterey Car Week, a week celebrating Concours-quality cars (read: basically, priceless to the masses) that are rolling testaments to the design houses of their respective eras.

Of the many events during Car Week a few stand out as key ones to check out – Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, and Pebble Beach Tour d'Elegance Presented by Rolex. Add to this list The Peninsula Classics, hosted by The Peninsula Hotels – the international luxury hotel group that has played host to the rich and famous for a century. This year, The Peninsula Classics kicked off Car Week by bestowing its Best of the Best Award to the 1956 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Competizione owned by Brian Ross.

This beautiful specimen is one of only nine 250 GT Berlinetta Competiziones ever built. Do a little digging (easy to do, since only nine were ever built) and you find that this car changed hands for close to $6 million dollars at the RM Sotheby’s auction in Monterey back in 2016.

It’s racing pedigree is just as impressive as its rarity and worth. The 250 GT competed in the famous Mille Miglia rally, hill climbs, and the 1959 Tour de France. After a racing shunt, the Ferrari was modernized by Carrozzeria Scaglietti with a lowered nose, smaller grille, covered headlamps and a rear spoiler. As if these modifications didn’t solidify its unicorn status, the Ferrari was discovered to have been fitted with the very first prototype of Ferrari’s 12B V12 engine – a powerplant that propelled countless Ferrari Formula One and road-going cars.

One of nine 250 GT Berlinetta Competiziones ever built, the 1956 Ferrari has an extensive motorsports heritage competing in the famous Mille Miglia, several hill climbs and the 1959 Tour de France. During its racing career, the Ferrari was modernized by Carrozzeria Scaglietti with a lowered nose, smaller grille, covered headlamps and a rear spoiler. Years later, it was discovered that this 250 GT was fitted with the first prototype of Ferrari’s 12B V12 engine. The rarity of the 1956 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Competizione, its racing pedigree and meticulous restoration helped it stand out from a field of competitors and win the coveted Best of the Best Award.

Peninsula’s Best of the Best Award is so named because cars compete around the world for Best of Show awards at various hotel locations. The winners duke it out for the penultimate Peninsula prize (yes, my alliteration game is on point!). “With such an illustrious selection of finalists this year, the judging process was especially challenging,” said The Honorable Sir Michael Kadoorie, chairman of the Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, which operates the Peninsula hotel group.

"Our group of eight classic automobiles represents the pinnacle of automotive craftsmanship, artistry and engineering. All of them are excellent representatives of automotive history, but one rose to the top to receive our highest honor and recognition with The Peninsula Classics 2021 Best of the Best Award."

For more information on The Peninsula Hotels and The Peninsula Classics show, visit: their website.