Automotive

Pictorial: The winner of the 2022 Best of the Best Concours Award

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The scale of the Delage D8-120S de Villars is so great, and the lines so regal, it commands a presence wherever it goes. It has won at least four major concours events that we are aware of, including its latest triumph as the Peninsula Classics Best of the Best ... the automotive equivalent of Miss World.
Considered one of the finest examples to emerge from both Delage and De Villars, this one-off Delage Type D8-120 S Cabriolet with sports body coachwork features stunning proportions and distinctive riveted fenders. The car was first shown at the Concours de l’Auto de Printemps held in May 1938 in Paris where it defeated all comers to win the Grand Prix for Best of Show at a time when all of the famous Interwar Parisienne coachbuilders would enter such events.
Considered one of the finest examples to emerge from both Delage and De Villars, this one-off Delage Type D8-120 S Cabriolet with sports body coachwork features stunning proportions and distinctive riveted fenders. The car was first shown at the Concours de l’Auto de Printemps held in May 1938 in Paris where it defeated all comers to win the Grand Prix for Best of Show at a time when all of the famous Interwar Parisienne coachbuilders would enter such events.
Considered one of the finest examples to emerge from both Delage and De Villars, this one-off Delage Type D8-120 S Cabriolet with sports body coachwork features stunning proportions and distinctive riveted fenders. The car was first shown at the Concours de l’Auto de Printemps held in May 1938 in Paris where it defeated all comers to win the Grand Prix for Best of Show at a time when all of the famous Interwar Parisienne coachbuilders would enter such events.
Considered one of the finest examples to emerge from both Delage and De Villars, this one-off Delage Type D8-120 S Cabriolet with sports body coachwork features stunning proportions and distinctive riveted fenders. The car was first shown at the Concours de l’Auto de Printemps held in May 1938 in Paris where it defeated all comers to win the Grand Prix for Best of Show at a time when all of the famous Interwar Parisienne coachbuilders would enter such events.
The beauty and detail of the winning Delage D8-120 ‘de Villars’ which has a history of winning substantial concours d'elegance. It was restored by prominent collector Sam Mann in 1994 and went on to win the world's most prestigious concours, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 1996.
The beauty and detail of the winning Delage D8-120 ‘de Villars’ which has a history of winning substantial concours d'elegance. It was restored by prominent collector Sam Mann in 1994 and went on to win the world's most prestigious concours, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 1996.
The beauty and detail of the winning Delage D8-120 ‘de Villars’ which has a history of winning substantial concours d'elegance. It was restored by prominent collector Sam Mann in 1994 and went on to win the world's most prestigious concours, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 1996.
The beauty and detail of the winning Delage D8-120 ‘de Villars’ which has a history of winning substantial concours d'elegance. It was restored by prominent collector Sam Mann in 1994 and went on to win the world's most prestigious concours, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 1996.
Sonny Thakur
The beauty and detail of the winning Delage D8-120 ‘de Villars’ which has a history of winning substantial concours d'elegance. It was restored by prominent collector Sam Mann in 1994 and went on to win the world's most prestigious concours, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 1996.
Sonny Thakur
The beauty and detail of the winning Delage D8-120 ‘de Villars’ which has a history of winning substantial concours d'elegance. It was restored by prominent collector Sam Mann in 1994 and went on to win the world's most prestigious concours, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 1996.
Sonny Thakur
The beauty and detail of the winning Delage D8-120 ‘de Villars’ which has a history of winning substantial concours d'elegance. It was restored by prominent collector Sam Mann in 1994 and went on to win the world's most prestigious concours, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 1996.
Sonny Thakur
The beauty and detail of the winning Delage D8-120 ‘de Villars’ which has a history of winning substantial concours d'elegance. It was restored by prominent collector Sam Mann in 1994 and went on to win the world's most prestigious concours, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 1996.
Sonny Thakur
The scale of the Delage D8-120S de Villars is so great, and the lines so regal, it commands a presence wherever it goes. It has won at least four major concours events that we are aware of, including its latest triumph as the Peninsula Classics Best of the Best ... the automotive equivalent of Miss World.
Concours of Elegance (U.K.)
The 1938 Delage D8-120 S is a large car and de Villars has used the vast canvas to great effect in crafting a presence
BMW Media
The 1938 Delage D8-120 S is a large car and de Villars has used the vast canvas to great effect in crafting a presence
BMW Media
The 1938 Delage Type D8-120S de Villars that won best of show at the 2022 Concours of Elegance (U.K.)
Concours of Elegance (U.K.)
The 1938 Delage Type D8-120S de Villars that won best of show at the 2022 Concours of Elegance (U.K.)
Concours of Elegance (U.K.)
The 1938 Delage Type D8-120S de Villars that won best of show at the 2022 Concours of Elegance (U.K.)
Concours of Elegance (U.K.)
The 1938 Delage Type D8-120S de Villars that won best of show at the 2022 Concours of Elegance (U.K.)
Concours of Elegance (U.K.)
The 1938 Delage Type D8-120S de Villars that won best of show at the 2022 Concours of Elegance (U.K.)
Concours of Elegance (U.K.)
The 1938 Delage Type D8-120S de Villars that won best of show at the 2022 Concours of Elegance (U.K.)
Concours of Elegance (U.K.)
The 1938 Delage Type D8-120S de Villars that won best of show at the 2022 Concours of Elegance (U.K.)
Concours of Elegance (U.K.)
The 1938 Delage Type D8-120S de Villars that won best of show at the 2022 Concours of Elegance (U.K.)
Concours of Elegance (U.K.)
The 1938 Delage Type D8-120S de Villars that won best of show at the 2022 Concours of Elegance (U.K.)
Concours of Elegance (U.K.)
The majestic lines of the de Villars coachwork on such a grand scale are gorgeous from every angle. Though it was based in the South of France, de Villars was founded by an American hotel and Casino owner living on the French Riviera. This quick overview of de Villars history shows a picture of this very car the day it won "best of show" at Pebble Beach.
Concours of Elegance
Considered one of the finest examples to emerge from both Delage and De Villars, this one-off Delage Type D8-120 S Cabriolet with sports body coachwork features stunning proportions and distinctive riveted fenders. The car was first shown at the Concours de l’Auto de Printemps held in May 1938 in Paris where it defeated all comers to win the Grand Prix for Best of Show at a time when all of the famous Interwar Parisienne coachbuilders would enter such events.
The 1938 Delage D8-120 ‘de Villars’ is a car that looks stunning from every angle.
Concours of Elegance
The class winner in Class B (Developing the Theme) was this 1938 Delage D8-120 S Cabriolet, with coachwork by De Villars. The car was displayed by Fritz Burkard (CH)
Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este
From the pages of India’s first vintage and classic automobile magazine, "deRivaz & Ives", comes this image of the 2022 Concours of Elegance winner some 84 years ago, winning a French concours event when it was new. The article has some wonderful period imagery of the birth of the "Concours d’Elegance"
The class winner in Class B (Developing the Theme) was this 1938 Delage D8-120 S Cabriolet, with coachwork by De Villars. The car was displayed by Fritz Burkard (CH)
Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este
Considered one of the finest examples to emerge from both Delage and De Villars, this one-off Delage Type D8-120 S Cabriolet with sports body coachwork features stunning proportions and distinctive riveted fenders. The car was first shown at the Concours de l’Auto de Printemps held in May 1938 in Paris where it defeated all comers to win the Grand Prix for Best of Show at a time when all of the famous Interwar Parisienne coachbuilders would enter such events.
The class winner in Class B (Developing the Theme) was this 1938 Delage D8-120 S Cabriolet, with coachwork by De Villars. The car was displayed by Fritz Burkard (CH)
Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este
Fritz Burkard's Delage D8-120 S Cabriolet was the cover car on our coverage of Concorso d'Eleleganza Villa D'Este in 2021, where it was a class winner in Class B (Developing the Theme)
Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este
The beauty and detail of the winning Delage D8-120 ‘de Villars’ which has a history of winning substantial concours d'elegance. It was restored by prominent collector Sam Mann in 1994 and went on to win the world's most prestigious concours, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 1996.
Sonny Thakur
The 1938 Delage D8-120 ‘de Villars’ is a car that looks stunning from every angle.
Concours of Elegance
The 1938 Delage D8-120 ‘de Villars’ is a car that looks stunning from every angle.
Concours of Elegance
The 1938 Delage D8-120 ‘de Villars’ is a car that looks stunning from every angle.
Concours of Elegance
View gallery - 37 images

Some cars are simply perfect for concours events, and the one-of-one 1938 Delage D8-120 ‘de Villars’ that has just been awarded the 2022 Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award is such a car.

From the muscular sound of its "straight eight" engine to the valenced lines of the five meter-long body, it has an incredible presence. It is a presence that been winning automotive concours events since the very first day it rolled out of the doors of Parissienne Automotive Coutourier De Villars.

On that day in May 1938 it won the Grand Prix at Concours de l’Auto de Printemps in Paris, defeating a field of the most beautiful cars you can imagine.

Fritz Burkard's Delage D8-120 S Cabriolet was the cover car on our coverage of Concorso d'Eleleganza Villa D'Este in 2021, where it was a class winner in Class B (Developing the Theme)
Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este

The automotive Concours d'Elegance began in Paris in the Interwar years and was spread across Europe, but as the coachbuilding capital of the world at this time, those concours events must have been quite remarkable. This was a time when the most expensive cars were delivered as a chassis and drivetrain to the couturier of the owner's choice, and Paris had an extensive array of superb coachbuilders: Pourtout, Chapron, Facel Vega, Letourneur et Marchand, Franay, Vanvooren, Hibbard & Darrin, Saoutchik, and perhaps the best known of all, Figoni et Falaschi.

To win its first concours at its first public showing against that sort of competition at the peak of art deco design was some feat, but it pales in comparison to what it has since achieved.

The car subsequently made its way to America post war, and after passing through the hands of some of the world's best known automobile collectors, it was purchased by the legendary industrial designer Sam Mann.

The majestic lines of the de Villars coachwork on such a grand scale are gorgeous from every angle. Though it was based in the South of France, de Villars was founded by an American hotel and Casino owner living on the French Riviera. This quick overview of de Villars history shows a picture of this very car the day it won "best of show" at Pebble Beach.
Concours of Elegance

Mann can claim fame on many fronts, having made many fortunes with different inventions, but his eye to pick a winning concours car is perhaps the keenest in existence.

Cars purchased and restored by Sam and Emily Mann have won the world's most important and prestigious concours event – the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance FOUR TIMES! Two people have also achieved that feat: Cosmetics billionaire J.B. Nethercutt and famous Las Vegas Casino Magnate William Harrah.

Sam Mann restored the car and it subsequently gave him his Best in Show at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 1996.

The 1938 Delage D8-120 ‘de Villars’ is a car that looks stunning from every angle.
Concours of Elegance

In recent times the car has been in the collection of Fritz Burkard of Switzerland, and over the last few years it has been shown at all the major European events, many of which are in the gallery to this story.

The car's most recent win was at the 2022 Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace, where the Best in Show award is chosen by the owners of the Concours contestants.

Today's announcement means the D8-120 ‘de Villars’ has once more been to the summit, confirming it is indeed one of the finest examples to emerge from the storied Delage brand.

The eight major concours events of 2022 created the strongest field yet in the Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award. When the finalists were announced in June 2023, we put together this extensive pictorial of all the finalists.

Also competing for the Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award this year was a distinguished group of finalists, including a 1932 Duesenberg Model J Sports Torpedo by Figoni, a 1934 Duesenberg LaGrande Convertible Coupe and a 1937 Bugatti 57S Cabriolet by Vanvooren. Other nominees were the 1938 Dubonnet Xenia Coupe by Saoutchik on a design by Andreau, a 1956 Ferrari 250 GT Coupe by Zagato, the 1966 Ferrari 365 P Berlinetta Speciale “Tre Posti” by Pininfarina and a 1956 Jaguar D-Type racer.

The winning car will be on display later this week at "The Quail, a Motorsport Gathering" and for those who can't be in Monterey, there are dozens of images of the car in the image gallery for this story.

View gallery - 37 images
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