Peter Lyon
August 30, 2024
On Carlist, we rarely delve into the world of legendary supercars, so we thought that today might be as good a time as any. Especially when the car we’re looking at is the fabulous 1957 Ferrari 335 S that just won the coveted Best of Show award at this year’s Salon Privé Concours presented by Aviva Private Clients.
Entered by American enthusiast Brian Ross, the Maranello sports-racer was the center of attention when it appeared in the Tour Privé on August 27. Not surprisingly, it proved to be just as popular with the expert judging panel when it entered the concours field the following day.
Meanwhile, the second place was awarded to Lord Bamford’s 1933 Rolls-Royce Phantom II, while the 1927 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8AS Fleetwood Roadster secured third overall as a 72-strong international entry gathered at the magnificent Blenheim Palace to battle it out for line honors.
Now to the winners. Chassis number 0674 was raced by Scuderia Ferrari during the 1957 season, and by a stellar driver line-up. In March that year, dashing young Englishman Peter Collins took the Ferrari to sixth place in the Sebring 12 Hours, sharing the driver’s seat with French veteran Maurice Trintignant. Two months later, Wolfgang von Trips finished second in the grueling Mille Miglia – the very race that has recently been immortalized in the Michael Mann blockbuster movie ‘Ferrari.’
Having been upgraded to a 4.1-litre specification at the factory, the Ferrari was a star at the 1957 Le Mans 24 Hours. Mike Hawthorn and Luigi Musso shared driving duties at La Sarthe, and although they failed to finish, ‘0674’ set the fastest lap of the race.
Its final outing as a works car was at the 1957 Caracas 1000km, when Hawthorn and Musso finished second. The car then passed to Luigi Chinetti – a hugely significant figure in Ferrari history, and founder of the North American Racing Team. Chinetti entered it for the Cuban Grand Prix in February 1958, when it was driven to victory in the shortened race by none other than English ace Stirling Moss.
After its period competition career, the Ferrari spent a number of years in the collection of renowned marque enthusiast Pierre Bardinon.
“We are truly delighted with this year’s Best of Show Ferrari 335 S by Scaglietti,” said Andrew Bagley, Chairman of the Salon Privé Concours. “You only have to look at the great names who raced it to realise how significant a sports car it was and appreciate what a cherished place it holds in Ferrari’s history.”
This year’s Salon Privé Concours presented by Aviva Private Clients was the largest and most prestigious to date, with 72 cars being entered across 14 different classes. They ranged from the ever-popular Pre-war categories to celebrations of Bugatti, Rolls-Royce and Ferrari. Fan favorites included Legendary Liveries – which showcased iconic color schemes such as a Silk Cut Jaguar XJR 8/9, an Alitalia Lancia Stratos HF and a 555 Subaru Impreza WRC97 – while a new class for 2024 honored the 60th anniversary of the Ferrari 275.
All entries gathered on the beautiful South Lawn at Blenheim Palace, having come from as far afield as the USA, Thailand and even New Zealand. They were judged by an unrivaled panel of international experts, with all entries being adjudicated by the International Chief Judge Advisory Group (ICJAG).
CARLIST THOUGHTS
The Ferrari 335S which won the coveted Best of Show award is without doubt one of the most beautiful pieces of kinetic art to ever grace the road. And to beat Rolls Royce and Isotta says volumes about the quality of the cars and the judging. And to hold such an award in such auspicious surroundings—at the sublime Blenheim Palace is yet another coup no doubt.
