…honours outstanding work in extending the frontiers of achievement and the pursuit of excellence, in the field of transport worldwide.
It was initiated by the Foundation in 1983, with a medal endowment, it comprises an annual trophy, the Spirit of Ecstasy, held for one year, a medal and this citation.
(Year * refers to year awarded. Awards are presented in March the following year, normally at the Mansion House)
| Year * | Recipient | Citation |
| 2023 | Paul Sainthouse & Glenn Carruthers of Dawson Group | New nationwide road surface repair system |
| 2022 | NOT AWARDED | |
| 2021 | Joe Bamford and Wright Bus | Saving the sole remaining UK bus manufacturer and creating a new zero-emission product line |
| 2020 | Greater Anglia | First-ever complete train replacement programme for Eastern Region |
| 2019 | NOT AWARDED | |
| 2018 | Ricardo Ltd | 103 years of engineering excellence |
| 2017 | NOT AWARDED | |
| 2016 | The Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs | for its Apprenticeship Scheme to NVQ standards |
| 2015 | Port of London Authority | for its Thames Vision |
| 2014 | Drayson Racing Technologies | for breaking the 1974 world speed record for a lightweight electric car |
| 2013 | Kings Cross Station | For the Kings Cross Station redevelopment |
| 2012 | NOT AWARDED | |
| 2011 | Network Rail & Balfour Beatty | for the Blackfriars Station redevelopment |
| 2010 | M.I.R.A. | for its role, alongside Jaguar, Lotus and Caparo in developing a series hybrid version of the XJ Saloon |
| 2009 | Brawn GP | for winning the F1 Manufacturers and Drivers Championship |
| 2008 | A1 Steam Locomotive Trust | for the new construction of an L.N.E.R. Pacific Steam Locomotive |
| 2007 | Union Railway | for completion of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link and St Pancras International Station |
| 2006 | JCB, Riccardo, Visioneering and Andy Green | for the JCB Dieselmax which in August 2006 set a new FIA Diesel Car land Speed record of 350mph |
| 2005 | Transys Consortium | Oyster Card ticket technology |
| 2004 | Ford Motor Company | for the design and development of the Ford/PSA V6 2.7 litre diesel engine |
| 2003 | London Continental Railways Ltd and Link Engineering Phase 1 | Channel Tunnel Link |
| 2002 | NOT AWARDED | |
| 2000 | Morgan Motor Company | For maintaining British Independence in the production of a very special motor car |
| 1999 | London Taxi International | TXI London Taxicab |
| 1998 | Lotus Engineering Team | The Lotus Elise Sports Car |
| 1997 | Thrust SSC Team | Outstanding vehicle design and engineering support |
| 1994 | Rolls-Royce plc | The Trent Engine |
| 1993 | Tracker Network (UK) Ltd | Excellence of tracker device for locating stolen vehicles |
| 1992 | Balfour Beatty, AMEC Joint Venture | Limehouse Link Tunnel |
| 1991 | Frank Williams Renault Team coupled with the name of Nigel Mansell Esq | Winning 10 Formula One Grand Prix races in 1992, including the World Championship |
| 1989 | Royal Corps of Transport and Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers | Operation GRANBY |
| 1988 | Ricardo Consulting Engineers | 75 years of excellent engineering developments |
| 1986 | Dr. John Prideaux, Director, Intercity | British Rail Intercity 225 Project |
| 1985 | Sadler Tankers Ltd | First haulage firm to achieve BS5750 Registration |
| 1984 | Ford Motor Co Ltd | 2.5 Litre Direct Injection Diesel Engine and CTX Continuously Variable Transmission System |
| 1983 | Sir John Egan | Personal achievement at Jaguar Cars Ltd |
| 1982 | Rolls-Royce Motors Ltd | Excellence of the Bentley Turbo-R Sports Saloon |
| 1981 | Leyland Vehicles Ltd | Development of the C.44 Road Runner Cab |
| 1980 | Thrust Cars Ltd | Regaining the World Land Speed Record for Great Britain |