A preserved Bugatti from the 1930s, once owned by the King of Belgium, has been awarded the title of Car of the Year at the International Historic Motoring Awards (IHMA). Sponsored by Lockton Insurance, the event took place at the Peninsula London on November 22nd, and showcased excellence in the world of classic and collector cars.
The Car of the Year award was one of 16 presented during the ceremony, which was attended by over 400 guests from around the world, including actor Rowan Atkinson, World Land Speed Record holder Andy Green, and car designer Ian Callum. Other famous faces included Richard Hammond, Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance chair Sandra Button, and automotive influencer Supercar Blondie (Alex Hirschi). The audience also featured leading car collectors like Miles Collier, Bruce Meyer, and Fritz Burkard, as well as representatives from organisations like the Petersen Automotive Museum, Revs Institute, and Jaguar Land Rover.
The judging process, which involved months of nominations and scrutiny by an international panel of 34 experts, ended in the public voting for the Car of the Year. Thousands of votes were cast, reflecting the widespread interest in the awards. Rowan Atkinson, an advocate for classic cars, delivered a keynote speech celebrating the heritage and cultural significance of automotive history.
Now in its 14th year, the IHMA continues to honour outstanding achievements in the collector car industry. This year’s event marked the return of the awards under the leadership of its original founders, Geoff Love and David Lillywhite, who first launched the initiative in 2011. The 2024 ceremony was supported by several high-profile partners, including the Petersen Automotive Museum, Nyetimber, and Octane and Magneto magazines, reinforcing the global appeal and prestige of the awards.
“We were delighted to host the biggest and best edition of the International Historic Motoric Awards so far, with many of the world’s most important car collectors and industry movers and shakers, proving once again that the IHMA is the only truly international awards event in the collector car industry.”
Geoff Love, Hothouse Media co-founder and managing director
Winners
Book of the Year, sponsored by Hortons Books:
The Last Eye Witness, by Doug Nye (Porter Press International)
Breakthrough Event of the Year:
The Oberoi Concours d’Elegance
Club of the Year, sponsored by Lockton Performance
Vintage Sports-Car Club
Museum of the Year, sponsored by The Yohan Poonawalla Collection:
Revs Institute
Specialist of the Year:
Jim Stokes Workshops
Young Achiever, sponsored by The Petersen Automotive Museum:
David Kibbey
Motorsport Event of the Year:
Goodwood Revival Meetin
Industry Supporter of the Year:
Historic & Classic Vehicles Alliance
Bespoke Car of the Year, sponsored by Octane:
Auto Union Type 52 ‘Schnellsportwagen’, by Audi Tradition / Crosthwaite & Gardiner
Personal Achievement of the Year:
Bruce Meyer
Outstanding Use of Media:
Goodwood Road & Racing
Restoration of the Year, sponsored by Classic & Sports Finance:
Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport by Saoutchik, restored by Chropynska
Rally / Tour of the Year, sponsored by SBX Cars:
The Peking to Paris Motor Challenge, by HERO-ERA
Motoring Event of the Year, sponsored by Magneto
The 73rd Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
Car of the Year:
1934 Bugatti Type 59
Lifetime Achievement:
Sylviane and Patrick Pete
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