Legendary car designer Giorgetto Giugiaro has joined the select list of recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2025 International Historic Motoring Awards, presented by Lockton. The 87-year-old Italian icon received the accolade during a glitzy ceremony at The Peninsula hotel in London. He was introduced by Aston Martin design chief Marek Reichman and becomes only the second designer to receive the honour, after Leonardo Fioravanti. Other previous recipients include Sir Stirling Moss, Bonneville Speed Week and Tony Dron.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was the culmination of a gala evening hosted by Amanda Stretton, attended by 400 industry notables from the global classic car world.
Earlier in the evening, the Car of the Year was announced: the Ford Escort Alan Mann 68 Edition by Boreham Motorworks, which triumphed in a public vote. It beat several high-profile contenders, including the €51m Mercedes-Benz W196R Stromlinienwagen, Blue Bird and the Pebble Beach-winning Hispano-Suiza H6C Nieuport-Astra Torpedo.
Fifteen further awards were decided by a jury of nearly 40 global experts, including Sandra Button, Jay Leno, Jay Ward, Alex Hirschi (‘Supercar Blondie’), Christian Philippsen, Wayne Carini, McKeel Hagerty and Donald Osborne.
For more info, see historicmotoringawards.co.uk
2025 Historic Motoring Awards winners
Rising Star of the Year
Ethan Blake-Jones (Paddock Speedshop)
The 25-year-old MGB owner founded a TV production company to blend restoration, racing and storytelling, from a fresh, youthful perspective.
Specialist of the Year (sponsored by Castrol Classic Oils)
Tom Hartley Jnr
A stellar year saw the Leicestershire dealer make headlines selling nearly 70 F1 cars from Bernie Ecclestone’s collection, as well as the Mansour Ojjeh McLaren collection.
Restoration of the Year (sponsored by Classic Car Register)
Hispano-Suiza H6C ‘Boulogne’ by Jonathan Wood
An 18,000-hour masterpiece. Originally owned by Bentley Boy Glen Kidston, now by his nephew Simon – one of the most emotive restorations in recent memory.
Tour or Rally of the Year
Tour de Corse Historique (Modus Vivendi)
Dubbed ‘the rally of 10,000 turns’, the Corsican event continues to attract a stellar line-up of cars and drivers, including Bruno Saby, Philippe Gache and Patrick Bernardini.
Club of the Year (sponsored by Lockton Performance)
Aston Martin Owners Club
Celebrating its 90th anniversary in style, with a standout ‘International Anniversary Weekend’ in Saalfelden, Austria, attended by 350 members from 18 countries.
Museum or Collection of the Year (sponsored by Magneto)
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum
A sensational year of reinvention saw the museum shed less relevant exhibits and reopen following an extensive and brilliantly executed transformation.
Industry Supporter of the Year
The Heritage Skills Academy
Founded by John Pitchforth in 2015, the academy focuses on passing vital skills to the next generation of heritage industry specialists.
Race Series of the Year
Endurance Racing Legends (Peter Auto)
A highlight of Peter Auto events, featuring GT1 and prototype stars from the 1990s and 2000s – including Ferrari F40 LM, McLaren F1 GTR, Porsche GT1 and Audi R8 LMP.
Motorsport Event of the Year (sponsored by Revs Institute)
Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion
Held at Laguna Seca during Monterey Car Week, it celebrated ‘F1 at 75’ and gathered 24 original IROC cars in an unforgettable spectacle.
Digital Media of the Year
Petersen Automotive Museum
An exemplary multi-platform presence that educates, informs and entertains in equal measure.
Motoring Book of the Year
Power Unleashed by Karl Ludvigsen (Evro)
A landmark work 15 years in the making. With 4000 illustrations and weighing 8.5kg, Ludvigsen’s history of forced induction is both definitive and monumental.
Motoring Event of the Year (sponsored by Nyetimber)
Audrain Newport Concours & Motor Week
Blessed by fine weather, this was the year the Rhode Island festival truly came of age, with concours, seminars, auctions and more.
Personal Achievement of the Year (sponsored by Petersen Automotive Museum)
Tomas de Vargas Machuca
The first person to complete the Peking to Paris Motor Challenge solo: 14,889km in 37 days behind the wheel of a 1927 Bentley 3/4½ Litre.
Bespoke Car of the Year (sponsored by Octane)
Lightweight GTR by Eagle
A development of Eagle’s already outstanding Lightweight GT, and quite possibly the finest E-type ever built.
Breakthrough Event of the Year
Royal Automobile Club Concours
A rare look behind the gates of Woodcote Park, showcasing members’ incredible cars and drawing more than 2000 visitors and 200 entries.
