The Concours of Elegance Germany—Germany’s foremost international concours event—has crowned its Best of Show winner for 2024 in front of a spectacular crowd at Gut Kaltenbrunn. A rare 1939 Lancia Astura Pinin Farina Cabriolet was honoured with the coveted Award, emerging victorious from a field of over 80 exquisite motor cars, ranging from classics to modern-day hypercars and motorsport legends.

The inaugural edition, held at the head of Lake Tegernsee, showcased some of the most incredible examples of automotive history.

The vehicle voted best in the show, a 1939 Lancia Astura Pinin Farina Cabriolet, is a supreme example of coachbuilding and engineering excellence. It features a narrow-angle V8 engine with a staggered cylinder arrangement and a two-piece cylinder head. The Astura was launched in 1931 with the aim of setting new standards in the development of sports touring cars, and the elegant coachbuilding touch of Pinin Farina certainly elevated this in 1939.

Additionally, the Chairman of the Steering Committee – Richard Charlesworth MVO –presented the Chairman’s Award to an iconic 1958 Bugatti Type 57C. Designed with a Gangloff body, personified by the three horizontal rows of punched holes on the bonnet, the Bugatti Type 57C is powered by a 50C engine.

In celebration of a German icon, the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing 70th Anniversary Award was presented to the best example of this seven-decade-old automobile. The 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Demonstration Car, which took first place, bested a wonderful collection of 300 SL Gullwing creations, with particular praise for its stunning silver-grey finish and striking red leather interior, as well as its fascinating provenance, presented to European royalty and social luminaries as an introduction to one of Mercedes-Benz’s most beautiful creations.

Beyond the cars, guests at the Concours of Elegance Germany have enjoyed the finest champagne from Laurent-Perrier, as well as retail experiences from a range of boutiques from leading luxury brands. Further excitement was provided by the RM Sotheby’s Tegernsee Auction, featuring a stellar lineup of carefully curated automobiles and automobilia.

The RM Sotheby’s Tegernsee Auction concluded on Saturday afternoon with highlights including:

  • 1949 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport Coupe by Carrosserie Jean Barou (sold at €961,250)
  • 1957 BMW 503 Series I Convertible (sold at €421,250)
  • 1965 Aston Martin DB Short-Chassis Volante (sold at €815,000)
  • 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB/6C by Scaglietti (sold at €2,536,250)
  • 2006 Porsche Carrera GT (sold at €1,000,625)
  • 2019 Porsche 935 (sold at €1,130,000)
  • 2022 RUF SCR (sold at €1,080,000)
  • HWA EVO – First build slot (sold at €1,310,000)

For full Tegernsee Auction results, visit https://rmsothebys.com/auctions/tc24/lots/.

James Brooks-Ward, CEO of Thorough Events, said, “We set out to create an international German Concours that the passionate collectors and enthusiasts in Germany could call their own. We achieved this and went beyond all our expectations. It felt like it had happened a number of times, and it already felt like a well-established international convention.

I would like to thank all the ‘pioneers’ who believed in the event from the start, particularly our presenting partner, A. Lange & Söhne, and our auction partner, RM Sotheby’s, who were both with us at the start of the journey. Without our owners, none of this would have happened, and I thank you all for your trust and encouragement. We look forward to seeing you all next summer and in the years to come.”

He added, “Now we look forward to next month’s Concours of Elegance event at Hampton Court Palace – crowning a trio of wonderful Thorough Events Concours gatherings in 2024, including in the city of London and Bavaria’s Lake Tegernsee.”

Hans Jörg Hubner, owner of the Best in Show winning Lancia Astura Pinin Farina Cabriolet, added, “We were a part of both the tour and event, and it was an exceptional experience as our first time to the Bavarian Alps – very well-organised and sensationally good. I wish there were events like this across Europe, celebrating our passion and prides and joy. Lake Tegernsee provided a stunning location and scenery, and the audiences all week have been absolutely great.”

Axel Schütte, owner of Axel Schütte Fine Cars, Dealer Patrons of the Concours, said, “I’ve been around the world with concours events, and we Germans have great collections and collectors, with fantastic cars throughout, but, we have very few occasions and platforms to showcase them. We are delighted to now have a new event like this here in Bavaria where we can share our hobby and passion.”

Full List of 2024 Winners:

Best in Show – 1939 Lancia Astura Pinin Farina Cabriolet

Chairman’s Award – 1938 Bugatti Type 57C

Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing 70th Anniversary Award – 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing
2nd Place – 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing
3rd Place – 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing

Best 1920’s Car – 1926 Bugatti Type 35T
2nd Place – 1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Experiment Prototype by Jarvis
3rd Place – 1924 Bugatti Type 35A

Best 1930’s Car – 1935 Aston Martin Ulster
2nd Place – 1932 Alfa Romeo 8-C 2300 Spyder Zagato
3rd Place – 1939 Lagonda LG 6 Rapide

Best 1950’s Car – 1956 Bentley S1 Continental DHC
2nd Place – 1953 Ferrari 166MM/53 Spyder
3rd Place – 1952 Aston Martin DB3

Best 1960’s Car – 1968 Alfa Romeo Tipo Daytona 33/2
2nd Place – 1968 Lamborghini Miura S
3rd Place – 1952 Aston Martin DB3

Best 1970’s Car – 1976 Monteverdi Palm Beach
2nd Place – 1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona
3rd Place – 1977 Lancia Stratos

Best 1980’s Car – 1989 Ferrari F40
2nd Place – 1987 RUF CT ‘Yellowbird’
3rd Place – 1986 BMW Alpina B7 S Turbo E25

Best 1990’s & Onwards Car – 1994 Bugatti EB110 America
2nd Place – 2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia QV SWB Zagato
3rd Place – 2002 Ferrari Enzo

For further details and tickets, visit www.concoursofelegancegermany.com.

Photography ©Miriam Mayer.