After months of nominations, shortlisting and intensive judging by an international panel of 34 experts, the 2024 International Historic Motoring Awards winners have been announced. They received their recognition at The Peninsula London on Friday 22 November at a glamorous ceremony.
As guests arrived, the courtyard showcased an exciting mix of vehicles – from the first Meyers Manx beach buggy to an Ecurie Ecosse Jaguar C-type – instantly setting the tone for the night. Inside, the scene was no less impressive, with extraordinary cars like the Bugatti Type 59 – selected as the 2024 Car of the Year by public vote – on display for the 300-plus influential figures and passionate enthusiasts from the classic car community to enjoy.
Attendees from across the globe, including India, the USA, and Sweden, gathered to honour the industry’s finest achievements. Actor and regular Octane contributor Rowan Atkinson opened the proceedings with a warm welcome, while Amanda Stretton took the reins to announce the 16 category winners.
Among the highlights was the Lifetime Achievement award, presented to not one but two outstanding recipients, marking an emotional high point of the evening. And the winners are…
BOOK OF THE YEAR – Sponsored by Hortons Books
The Last Eye Witness, by Doug Nye (Porter Press International) – Brilliantly bringing early motor racing (1902-1914) to life through Maurice Louis Branger’s period photography and Doug Nye’s commentary.
BREAKTHROUGH EVENT OF THE YEAR
The Oberoi Concours d’Elegance – Uniting India’s rich motoring heritage at The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur, this event showcased 81 cars, including significant royal collections from five Indian principalities.
CLUB OF THE YEAR – Sponsored by Lockton Performance
Vintage Sports-Car Club – The VSCC’s 90th anniversary shows how organisations can embrace modern challenges while preserving their heritage. Its pop-up hillclimb at Chateau Impney was exceptional.
MUSEUM OF THE YEAR – Sponsored by The Yohan Poonawalla Collection
Revs Institute – Revs Institute’s revolutionary ‘Active Matter’ philosophy transforms automotive preservation through dynamic conservation. Its innovative gallery workshop allows visitors to witness live restoration, while 2024 saw breaking ground for a dedicated Archives and Research Centre.
SPECIALIST OF THE YEAR
Jim Stokes Workshops – Over almost 45 years Jim Stokes Workshops has grown from one man into a group of companies employing over 50 people. The recent addition of a state-of-the-art in-house engine dyno means that every engine built or rebuilt is checked, tuned and perfected before reaching the road.
YOUNG ACHIEVER – Sponsored by The Petersen Automotive Museum
David Kibbey – Starting in the Hagerty Youth Judging Program at age nine, David founded the Northville Concours d’Elegance in 2021 with fellow enthusiasts Chase Ziegler and Drew Lehnert, at the Northville Historic Mill Race living village museum.
MOTORSPORT EVENT OF THE YEAR
Goodwood Revival Meeting – When it rains, Goodwood shines, an epithet that was never truer than in 2024, when the Revival also made motorsport history as the first historic racing event to mandate sustainable fuels across its entire programme as well as unveiling the relocated Tyrrell Shed.
INDUSTRY SUPPORTER OF THE YEAR
Historic & Classic Vehicles Alliance – Since the HCVA’s formation in 2021, a number of pivotal steps have ensured the historic motoring industry can be more confident of its future. In the past year it has been instrumental in furthering the accountability of the DVLA and introducing HCVA Heritage Matters Days (HMD).
BESPOKE CAR OF THE YEAR – Sponsored by Octane
Auto Union Type 52 ‘Schnellsportwagen’, by Audi Tradition / Crosthwaite & Gardiner – Though the plans for this pre-war V16 supercar were drawn up during the 1930s, by none other than Ferdinand Porsche, it’s taken 90 years for the car to be built – created for Audi Tradition by Crosthwaite & Gardiner after years of painstaking research.
PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT
Bruce Meyer – Bruce Meyer’s dedication to automotive heritage extends far beyond traditional collecting. His transformative influence on the Petersen Automotive Museum exemplifies his philosophy that every vehicle carries a story worth preserving, devoting equal enthusiasm to both prestigious collections and grassroots enthusiasts alike.
OUTSTANDING USE OF MEDIA
Goodwood Road & Racing – Goodwood Road & Racing’s multi-platform approach to storytelling is truly comprehensive and extends well beyond Goodwood’s own events to international gatherings such as the Grand Prix Historique de Monaco and Rétromobile.
RESTORATION OF THE YEAR – Sponsored by Classic & Sports Finance
Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport by Saoutchik, restored by Chropynska The five-year restoration of Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport Saoutchik chassis 110101 exemplifies the highest levels of preservation, meticulously returning the car to its 1948 Paris motor show specification and culminating in a Best of Show nomination at Pebble Beach.
RALLY / TOUR OF THE YEAR – Sponsored by SBX Cars
The Peking to Paris Motor Challenge, by HERO-ERA – Following the historic route of the 1907 original, 2024’s Peking to Paris Motor Challenge tested 100 crews across 14,000km of demanding terrain. The 37-day odyssey crossed nine countries and eight timezones, representing one of motorsport’s most gruelling endurance events.
MOTORING EVENT OF THE YEAR – Sponsored by Magneto
The 73rd Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance – 2024 marked a watershed with a shift towards post-war vehicles, which outnumbered pre-war classics by over 20%, and the first preservation car to win Best of Show – a 1934 Bugatti Type 59 (see below).
CAR OF THE YEAR
1934 Bugatti Type 59 – Uniquely, this award is decided by a public vote and you voted in your thousands. The runaway winner was Fritz Burkard’s ex-King Leopold of Belgium 1934 Bugatti Type 59, the first preservation car to take Best of Show at Pebble Beach.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
Sylviane and Patrick Peter – Embarking on a well-earned retirement after decades of serving up the best classic car events in the world are Sylviane and Patrick Peter, of Peter Auto. As well as their hallmark events such as the Tour Auto and tier-one race meets across France, the team has masterminded Richard Mille Arts et Elegance at Chantilly and the sensational Le Mans Classic festival.
For more details, see www.historicmotoringawards.com
