Among those on display was the 1937 Talbot-Lago T150C SS Figoni et Falaschi ‘Goutte d’Eau,’ which was
honored with the inaugural The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award at a private gala on Tuesday,
August 16, 2016. Determined by 24 of the world’s most prominent motorcar experts, the automobile was
chosen from a pool of six “Best of Show” vehicles from the top six international concours events, deeming it
the most exceptional car in the world.
Distinguished enthusiasts, collectors and motorsports personalities mingled as they gazed upon the
impressive collection of vehicles while indulging in champagne, oysters and caviar. Guests also enjoyed
culinary offerings from six gourmet pavilions, each serving delicacies from cities that are home to The
Peninsula Hotels worldwide: Beijing, New York, Chicago, Beverly Hills, Paris and Bangkok.
The Quail caps off a week of exclusive events sponsored by The Peninsula Hotels as part of its celebration of
the Glamour in Travel. In addition to The Quail and The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Awards Gala, the
group also welcomed an exclusive group of 40 collectors and enthusiasts for an unforgettable rally through the
California countryside as part of The Quail Rally, and also provided a preview of the Group’s 150th anniversary
festivities. In celebration of The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels’ 150th Anniversary, the parent company of
The Peninsula Hotels, and with a nod to the glamour of travel through the company’s rich past, eight
custom-made large-format helium balloons were commissioned in the shape of Peninsula icons. Two of the
eight characters, a giant Pageboy (55 feet high) and vintage Rolls-Royce (21 feet high), were on display on
the field for the first time at The Quail. The full set of eight balloons will be unveiled in Hong Kong in November
2016. Additionally, in honor of the 150th Anniversary, a 1934 Rolls-Royce Phantom II was delivered from The
Peninsula Paris to be present at The Quail, and will then travel to The Peninsula hotels in Beverly Hills,
Chicago and New York in the coming weeks and will sit on display for guests to view.
This year, The Quail set the stage for a series of national and global debuts. Early in the day, Lamborghini
announced the Centenario Roadster. Ken Okuyama Design also presented the world premiere of its one-off
V12 engine car, the “kode57.” The highly-anticipated Bugatti Chiron, set to be the most expensive and fastest
production car in the world, was a crowd-pleaser, as it made its first public appearance.
Additional highlights on the green included the 1957 Lancia Aurelia B20 ‘Outlaw’ Coupe, a modified take on
the legendary race car that won its class at the 1951 24 Hours of Le Mans and Cameron Glickenhaus’ 2016
Scuderia, which recently won its class at the 2015 24 Hours of Nurburgring. Metallica frontman James
Hetfield’s 1934 Packard Chassis Coachbuilt Body also made an appearance at the event.
Featured classes at this year’s event included Rivalries of the Ages, 100th Anniversary of BMW Celebrating
Motorcars and Motorcycles, A Retrospective of Laguna Seca Raceway and 50th Anniversary of the
Lamborghini Miura. Traditional classes of cars on display included Pre-War Sports and Racing Cars,
Post-War Racing Cars, Post-War Sports Cars 1945-1960, Post-War Sports Cars 1961-1975, Sports and
Racing Motorcycles, The Great Ferraris and Supercars.
The Quail’s signature Fireside Chat Series remained a prominent part of the event, where extraordinary
speakers took to the main stage to discuss their passions for vintage and racing motorcars. James M.
Glickenhaus joined Gordon McCall, co-founder of The Quail, to present his newest project and a North
American debut, the 2016 Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus. Philip Kadoorie, son of The Hon. Sir Michael
Kadoorie (Chairman of The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited, parent company of The Peninsula
Hotels), took the stage with racing legends Marino and Dario Franchitti where they shared many of their
experiences in the racing industry.
Every year, The Rolex Circle of Champions winners are selected by the same collectors entering their
vehicles into the competition. All participants subjectively choose the automobile that has achieved its design
goal, performance expectations and overall impact on automotive history in its class. The 2016 category
awards and winners are:
· Best of Show: 1953 Ferrari 375 MM Pinin Farina Spyder
· Spirit of The Quail: 1997 McLaren F1 GTR Longtail
· Rivalries of the Ages: 1967 Shelby 427 Cobra
· Rivalries of the Ages: 1966 Chevrolet Corvette 427/425 Roadster
· 50th Anniversary of the Lamborghini Miura: 1968 Lamborghini Miura P400 S
· A Retrospective of Laguna Seca Raceway: 1966 Lola T70 Mk2 Can-Am
· 100th Anniversary of BMW: 1973 BMW 3.0 CSL
· Sports and Racing Motorcycles: 1926 BMW R 47
· Supercars: 1985 Ferrari 288 GTO&
· The Great Ferraris: 1960 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spyder Competition
· Pre-War Sports and Racing: 1932 Bentley 8 Litre
· Post-War Sports 1945-1960: 1957 Dual-Ghia Convertible
· Post-War Sports 1961-1975: 1961 Maserati 3500 Vignale Spyder
· Post-War Racing: 1952 Jaguar C-Type
· Octane Editor’s Choice: 1963 Lola GT Mk 6
· FIVA: 1964 Ferrari 250 LM
Following its initial year offering 150 Charitable Patron Tickets, the event was able to donate $50,000 to
Rancho Cielo, a preferred Charity of The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering. The 15th Annual The Quail, A
Motorsports Gathering will be held August 18, 2017, at The Quail Lodge & Golf Club.
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