In a dazzling display of automotive excellence, a remarkable 1957 Ferrari 335 S claimed the prestigious Best of Show award at this year’s Salon Privé Concours, presented by Aviva Private Clients. Entered by the esteemed American collector Brian Ross, the Ferrari captivated onlookers during the Tour Privé on Tuesday, August 27, before enchanting the expert judging panel at the concours field the following day.
The winning vehicle, chassis number 0674, is steeped in history, having been raced by Scuderia Ferrari during the 1957 season with an illustrious lineup of drivers. Its journey through motorsport lore began with a sixth-place finish at the Sebring 12 Hours, driven by the dashing Englishman Peter Collins and the seasoned French veteran Maurice Trintignant. The Ferrari continued its storied career under the command of Wolfgang von Trips, who secured a second-place finish at the grueling Mille Miglia—a race recently immortalized in Michael Mann’s cinematic epic, Ferrari.
In June 1957, the 335 S was upgraded to a 4.1-litre specification at the factory and returned to the track for the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans. Though Mike Hawthorn and Luigi Musso, who shared driving duties, failed to finish the race, the Ferrari made an indelible mark by setting the fastest lap. Its final appearance as a works car came at the 1957 Caracas 1000km, where Hawthorn and Musso achieved a second-place finish. The car’s illustrious racing career was capped off with a victory at the Cuban Grand Prix in 1958, piloted by none other than the English racing legend Stirling Moss.
The Ferrari 335 S spent subsequent years in the collection of Pierre Bardinon, a renowned Ferrari enthusiast, before making its triumphant return to the spotlight at the Salon Privé Concours. Its win at Blenheim Palace further cements its status as one of the most significant sports cars in Ferrari’s storied history.
Second place in the concours was awarded to Lord Bamford’s exquisite 1933 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Sport Saloon by Freestone & Webb. Originally commissioned by cotton magnate Sir John Leigh, the Phantom II was crafted for high-speed touring across the UK and Europe. After spending decades in the hands of an American enthusiast, it was acquired by Lord Bamford in 2013, who meticulously restored it to its original two-tone paint scheme. The Rolls-Royce, a regular contender in concours events, had previously won the Churchill Cup for Most Exceptional Design at Salon Privé in 2022.
Rounding out the top three was the 1927 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8AS Fleetwood Roadster, owned by Nic and Shelley Schorsch. This car, originally ordered by silent film star Rudolph Valentino, features unique coachwork by LeBaron of New York and was built by the Fleetwood Metal Body Company. Although Valentino tragically passed away before the car’s completion, it became a symbol of Hollywood’s golden era, exhibited at the New York Auto Salon and displayed in the front window of Isotta Motors, where it was admired by throngs of Valentino’s devoted fans.
This year’s Salon Privé Concours was the largest and most prestigious to date, with 72 cars entered across 14 classes. The event, held at the magnificent Blenheim Palace, featured vehicles ranging from pre-war classics to modern icons, with a special emphasis on Bugatti, Rolls-Royce, and Ferrari. Among the crowd favorites were the Legendary Liveries class, showcasing iconic racing color schemes, and a new category celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Ferrari 275.
Gathering entrants from as far as the USA, Thailand, and New Zealand, the concours was adjudicated by an esteemed panel of international experts, including the International Chief Judge Advisory Group (ICJAG). Salon Privé remains one of only four ICJAG Plus-designated events worldwide and the sole event of its kind in the UK, solidifying its reputation as a pinnacle of automotive elegance and historical significance.
