Since 2005, Louis Vuitton has granted two prizes each year: one to the car chosen from among the Best of Show at the most famous Concours d'Elegances in the world, the other to the best prototype of the year. This year, the winners are the Ferrari 250 GT Spider California and the Citroën C-Métisse.

After hours of passionate and lively debate, New Yorker Peter Kalikow's 1961 Ferrari 250 GT Spider California won the Louis Vuitton Classic Concours Award 2006. The blue car was elected Best of Show at the recent Ferrari Club of America Field and Driving Concours.

A car of superb lines, the Pininfarina designed and Scaglietti bodied convertible was of course a close relative of the racing 250GTs of the day, its 3.0 litre V12 providing strong performance in the time-honoured manner.

The competitions selected were: The Ferrari Club of America Field and Driving Concours (USA), the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance (Florida, USA), the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este (Italy), the Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance (Michigan, USA), The Quail (California, USA) and finally the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance (California, USA).

The jury was made up of renowned figures from the world of automobiles and, in particular, automobile design, under the chairmanship of Christian Philippsen.



Louis Vuitton Classic Concept Award 2006

The unmistakeably Citroën lines of the C-Métisse concept won the prize for the prototype vehicle that could quite possibly be produced at any time over the next 25 years. A hybrid diesel-electric engine demonstrates its 'green' credentials, while the bodywork hints of performance and power.

Other cars considered for the prize were the BMW 328 (second place) and the Saab Aero-X (third).

The international jury, that included Christopher Bangle, Fabrizio Giugiaro and Patrick Le Quément, was once again under the chairmanship of Christian Philippsen.

Text: Classic Driver
Photos: Louis Vuitton