1953 Abarth 1100 SS Ghia Wins Best of Show at Audrain Concours

Only four of these concept cars were ever built and this is one of the highest honors the car has ever achieved. In 2015, the Abarth 1100 SS Ghia received a best of show nominee at the Pebble Beach Concours, the best result it has had until now.

Since then it has been sold at RM Sotheby's for nearly a million dollars. The car has some incredible history too. It was originally showcased both at the Turin auto salon in 1953 and the New York Auto Show in 1954.

The 1100 SS is built on the same platform as an Abarth Simca but has a bespoke Ghia body and a drivetrain from the Fiat 1100-103. It's a special car that has earned the award despite some incredible challengers.

Among them was a stunning 1968 Lamborghini Espada that ended up winning the award for being the "Most Elegant" and 1951 Ferrari 212 Export Spider Vignale that won the Sporting Choice award.

The Audrain Concours features a number of outstanding classes including one co-developed with Jay Leno called "30 Under 30". This special class opens up the door to more participants at a far lower entry level.

All entrants in the category must cost less than $30,000 and be less than 30 years old. It's such a successful idea that it's been spun off into a new class called "31 Under 30" that only includes Porsche 944s.

Still, many classes feature cars in the six and seven figure range, including a 1959 Porsche RSK Spyder, a 1984 Lancia 037, and a 1937 Delahaye 135M Competition. Next year's event is scheduled for October 2nd. We can't wait to see who will take the main prize.