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Are their any members planning on attending the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance next month, Sunday - August 20th. If you’ve ever been you would agree one of the best if not the best weekends for all car enthusiast of the year. Pictured was “2005 Best of Show” a 1937 Delage D8-120 S Pourtout. Also part of the weekend includes the Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races at Laguna Seca. We could get together with the Cayman’s for a drink if plans turn into reality.
zornet
Last edited by zornet; 10-23-2006 at 04:38 AM.
Reason: Post Oct ’06 Migration clean-up.
A common complaint from spectators and collectors alike is that the Pebble Beach show field is full of “trailer queens”, which are carefully transported to and from events, sometimes without ever running on public roads as they were intended. This is the result of the strict judging for which the condition of these often freshly restored cars is of the utmost importance. A number of years ago this problem was somewhat addressed with the introduction of the Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance, run on the Thursday before the Concours. Although participation in the Tour is not mandatory, in the result of a Concours judging tie, a Tour entered car will be favoured.
For this year’s tour a new 50 mile route south along the Pacific Coast Highway was arranged. After a brief run past the Pebble Beach Lodge, the cars exited the Del Monte Forest via 17 Mile Drive. The California Highway Patrol escorted them through Monterra Ranch properties and out of Carmel Valley onto historic Highway 1 where all 90 entrants passed a road sign indicating many miles of twisty road to come. The turnaround point was the Point Sur Naval Station and lunch was served in downtown Carmel.
Spectators and photographers lined along the breathtaking coastal route to enjoy the extraordinary procession led by Sir Stirling Moss in a Mercedes Benz 300 SL Roadster. Bixby Bridge is one of Americas most photographed bridges and was a particularly popular gathering spot for tourists, media, and local residents.
We followed the cars along the route and captured them through the Del Monte Forest and along Highway 1 near and on Bixby Bridge in a 100-shot slideshow.
Pargolfer - Tickets are high but its toward charity – the United Way. The trick is booking accommodations this close to the event’s dates. But it can be done by staying a few+ miles from the Carmel / Monterey area. I usually book a year in advance, as others do.
zornet
Last edited by zornet; 10-23-2006 at 04:40 AM.
Reason: Post Oct ’06 Migration clean-up.
<div class="storyheadline">Pebble Beach car show: Why collectors spend thousands to win</div>
<div class="storysubhead">In a game for billionaires, car collectors spend millions to win 'bragging rights' at the year's biggest car show.</div>
<div class="storybyline">By Peter Valdes-Dapena, CNNMoney.com staff writer</div>
<div class="storytimestamp">August 18 2006: 4:27 PM EDT</div>
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NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Winning 'Best of Show' at the annual Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance car show, taking place this weekend in California, can add 50 percent or more to the value of a collectible car, one that's already worth hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars.
'It's about bragging rights,' said Craig Jackson, president of the auto auction company Barrett-Jackson. In fact, Jackson said he can't even remember a winning car ever going on to be sold at auction in the past 15 to 20 years.
Along with the Meadowbrook Concours, which took place in Michigan earlier in August, and the Amelia Island Concours, which took place in Florida in March, Pebble Beach is part of the 'Triple Crown' of collector car shows. But Pebble Beach is the Kentucky Derby. It's the big win.
This year, only 175 cars will compete in the invitation-only event, down from 225 last year. The cars will be judged in 25 finely-tuned categories with names like 'Pre-war Delahaye,' 'Post-war Delahaye' and 'American Classic Open, 1932 - 1941.'
'A lot of these cars are rolling sculptures never to be duplicated again,' said Rob Myers, founder of RM Auctions, an auction company that also restores collectible cars.
Aside from the cost of buying a high-end collectible car, restoring a car to a competitive level can cost anywhere from hundreds of thousands to a million dollars.
'I work on rich men's toys,' said Bob Smith, who operates Bob Smith Coachworks, a Texas company that specializes in restoring classic Ferraris. 'I work for some people who have three more dollars than God.'
The cars Smith has prepared for past Pebble Beach shows include one category-winning Ferrari race car valued at $22 million.
<div class="inStoryHeading">Primp my ride</div>
Still, for those coming to this show, all agree that it's not about money. It's about 'passion.' It's just that to fulfill the passion happens to require lots and lots of money.
For a car that's in poor condition, restoring it can mean literally tearing the car apart, replacing major and minor components and rebuilding the car in a process that commonly takes years.
Simply cleaning the car right before the show, a job for which there are highly experienced professionals, can cost as little as $100 or as much as $3,000, said Myers. In the industry, it's knows as 'detailing' and comparing it to a typical car wash is like comparing an aluminum toolshed to Xanadu.
The process involves specialized substances for each different surface on a car - painted surfaces, copper surfaces, nickel-plate surfaces - and a gentle touch to prevent 'burning' an original paint job that could be more than half a century old.
These days, collectors don't like cars that have been 'over-restored,' meaning they're made to look so good it's literally unreal.
'What's important and popular today is originality,' said **** Messer, executive director of California's Petersen Automotive Museum.
Messer attends the event every year both to show cars from the museum's collection - this year he brought a 1952 Ferrari originally owned by Henry Ford II - and to meet with friends and museum supporters.
The Ferrari was in nearly perfect shape, he said, but had a few wrinkles in the body, a natural flaw that will occur in an older aluminum-bodied car that's seen some use.
For cars that are still in good shape, the goal is actually to keep as much of the original car intact as possible in what's called a 'preservation restoration' said Myers. That includes keeping the original paint job. 'On a great original car it's almost criminal to restore them,' he said.
In order to keep the appearance as original as possible, Myers said, he has even replaced torn leather upholstery on a classic car with leather that his shop deliberately worked over so that it would look worn.
Still, many of the cars at this year's show will have that 'better than new' appearance.
'Back in the 20s, 30s, and 40s, they didn't have a paint like that from the factory' Messer commented. He spoke by cell phone from the seat of the Ferrari as he watched cars drive past on their way to the 60 mile drive that kicks off the event.
For car enthusiasts who can afford the pricey hotel rooms, Pebble Beach weekend, with the high-end car auctions, parties and vintage races that surround the main event, is the biggest weekend of the year.
'I would rather miss Christmas than miss Pebble Beach,' said Smith.
<div class="storyheadline">1931 Daimler named 'Best of Show' in top car contest</div>
<div class="storysubhead">The long, two-seat 12-cylinder car takes the top prize at Pebble Beach.</div>
<div class="storytimestamp">August 21 2006: 4:45 PM EDT</div>
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An ultrarare 1931 Daimler car was awarded 'Best of Show' at this year's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, the top competition for high-priced collectible cars, on Sunday.
The long-nosed 1931 Daimler Double-Six Corsica Drophead Coupe is one of only four that were produced. The car is currently owned by Robert Lee of Reno, Nev. It was judged the best car among 175 competing cars.
The most valuable car at the show this year was a 1962 Ferrari valued at $12 million to $14 million. The average value of the cars competing at this year's event was $1.1 million, according to a spokesman for the Concours.
No information was available about the value of the winning car.
Daimler is a British ultraluxury car brand. It has no relationship to today's DaimlerChrysler. The 1931 Double-Six Corsica Drophead Coupe has a V-12 engine. It is the only surviving one of the four originally made.
The competition involved judging in 25 narrowly defined categories. The 'Best of Show' winner each year is selected from among the category winners.
Along with the Meadowbrook Concours, which took place in Michigan earlier in August, and the Amelia Island Concours, which took place in Florida in March, Pebble Beach is part of the 'Triple Crown' of collector car shows.
The winning car was purchased in 2004 by Lee, the founder of Hunting World, a company that sells safari gear. Lee has been entering cars in the Concours since 1986 and has won various awards, but this is his first 'Best of Show' award.
'I purchased this car because it made my heart skip a beat,' said Lee in an announcement. 'I guess the judges today agreed with my heart.'
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Few people would argue against the annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance being the premier historic automotive event; there is no prize more desirable than the ‘Best of Show’ award. While many entrants come close, it takes perfection to really be in contention. Make that perfection and a 1930s custom coachbuilt road car. In theory all cars entered for judging are eligible for a win, but history has shown that judges really favour this particular era. Well known Ferrari historian Marcel Massini told us that he hoped a Ferrari would win the coveted award at least once before he died. Then again, looking at the recent winners, it is hard to disagree with the powers that be.
In the last few years the number of cars displayed on the 18th fairway of the Pebble Beach golf course had grown steadily to a staggering 225 in 2005. Following the wishes of both the entrants and the spectators, the organization wisely took a more modest approach this year and invited ‘just’ 175 of the world’s finest historic automobiles. As always a number of manufacturers and themes were celebrated, with Delahaye, Voisin and the Pebble Beach road races of the early 1950s taking centre stage along the golf link’s shoreline. Added to the annually returning classes were special classes for early mid-engined prototypes and concepts and for Victoria convertibles.
All entrants were invited to participate in the now traditional Tour d’Elegance on the Thursday before the Concours. Escorted by the California highway patrol, the cars were sent on a route consisting of the finest roads in the area. While there obviously is no prize for the fastest time, successfully completing the Tour will give the car an edge in the Concours in case of a draw. On both days we were up at or before the crack of dawn to capture the two magnificent events in their entirety. For all of you that could not make it out this year we have compiled mouthwatering slideshows of both the Tour d’Elegance (70 shots) and the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance (260 shots).
<span class="largeblue">Tour d’Elegance[/quote]
In preparation for the 8:30 am starting time, the 100 entrants lined up alongside the Pebble Beach equestrian centre. For the gathered spectators, it was the first opportunity to find out what would be on display on Sunday as the organization tries to keep the entered cars under wraps as much as possible to build up the anticipation for the Concours to a maximum. Headed by racing legend John Fitch in his old 1955 Mille Miglia Mercedes Benz 300 SL the field is sent out in three groups with the most modern cars going out first. Walking down the road through the field felt very much like a stroll back in time.
Among the large number of Ferraris was one that grabbed our particular attention; the recently restored s/n 010I or 01C. We were explained that the car contains the chassis of the very first Ferrari, which was rebuilt as a 166 Spyder Corsa, restamped 010I and sold to a customer in 1949 as a new car. Upon receiving the car, the owner immediately exclaimed ‘Muletta’, or mule, as he could clearly see his new car was in fact well raced. Ferrari made a new invoice for the car, which included a considerable rebate for being a second hand car. Still in its 166 Spyder Corsa configuration, the car was sold to Symbolic Motors a few years ago. Close inspection of the chassis and the serial number in particular led to the amazing discovery of an old stamping that could very well read 01C. For many years it was covered by a layer of aluminum, which featured the 010I stamp. It was subsequently sold to its current owner who had the car refitted with a body similar to the factory’s 125 S replica. It made its public debut in Pebble and was entered as a ‘Ferrari 125 S’. No doubt this car will be the subject of a lot of debate among Ferrari historians and enthusiasts as news has already reached us that the restamp was in fact done to rectify a mistake made.
Near the end of the field, a number of striking Voisins was lined up; the largest number we had ever seen together, which bode well for the upcoming Concours. Other attention grabbers included John Marriot’s spectacular yellow over blue Figoni & Falaschi bodied Talbot Lago T150 C and a recently restored Bugatti Type 57 C fitted with a Voll & Ruhrbeck cabriolet body, which featured a very prominent waterfall grille.
Following a similar route to last year’s Tour, the cars were sent down 17 Mile Drive through the Del Monte Forest, through the Monterra Ranch properties and finally down Higway 1 to the turnaround point at Big Sur. Exiting Carmel on Highway 1, the drivers were welcomed by a road sign warning for the 71 miles of curvaceous road ahead; undoubtedly one of the finest pieces of public road in America. Before heading back to the Pebble Lodge, the participants were treated to a very warm reception and lunch on Carmel’s main street.
In a carefully planned operation the cars were rushed onto the field on Sunday morning to be positioned in exactly the right spot before the crowds arrived. For the many photographers present, it was the only opportunity to get any clear shots of the cars before the vast crowd entered the picture. The best location is traditionally reserved for the featured marques and themes and this year was no exception with the Delahayes and Voisins gracing the shore line.
While Delahaye was one of the automotive pioneers, the Concours seems to only attract the later examples usually fitted with the most lavish custom coachwork. Proving that it was not just show was the striking Figoni & Falaschi coupe bodied 135 Competition Court chassis. It is generally accepted that this one of the first aerodynamic designs by the famous coachbuilder that two years later led to the legendary Teardrop Coupes. While most Delahayes of the era were equipped with a six cylinder engine, there was also a highly exclusive 12 cylinder model. There were no fewer than four of these twelve cylinder examples on the lawn, remarkably all owned by the same collector. The star of them was no doubt the 145 Competition car, which was able to beat the dominant German racers in the 1938 Pau Grand Prix. Apart from winning the race, it also earned Delahaye one million francs reserved by the French government for the first company to successfully take on the ‘Silver Arrows’. Before entering it in the Concours, owner Peter Mullin paid tribute to the car’s racing heritage by taking it out in the Monterey Historic Races a day earlier. It very deservedly won best in class for Prewar Sports Racing cars.
Delahayes are regularly shown and hardly need introducing, but the Voisins lined up along the Pacific Ocean left many of the spectators wondering what exactly they were looking at. This is partly due to the fact that very few examples remain today, but also due to highly unusual style coachwork fitted. Being one of France’s aviation pioneers, Gabriel Voisin incorporated many of his aircraft design ideas in his cars. The very low underslung chassis were fitted lightweight aluminum and aerodynamic bodies mostly designed and built by the Voisin company. The popular baroque architecture of the day was also a major influence, making for one of the most unusual cars every constructed. It does not stop on the outside though as most Voisins were fitted with an equally unusual Knight-patented sleeve valve engine. With thirteen examples present, it is to safe to say this was the biggest Voisin gathering since the factory ceased production in 1939.
The final piece of the precious shoreline space was reserved for ‘the cars that raced in the forest’. In its founding years, between 1950 and 1956, the Pebble Beach Concours was held in conjunction with the Pebble Beach Road Races, which used the demanding roads of the Del Monte Forest. Among the winners are Carroll Shelby and Phil Hill, who also uniquely won the Concours on two occasions. After 1956, racing in Monterey continued on the newly constructed Laguna Seca race track. Among the road racers, the Ken Miles built MG special, better known as the ‘Flying Shingle’ caught our attention. In its day the home built racing car was able to beat the finest the Germans and Italians had to offer.
During the Concours, the courtyard of the Pebble Beach Lodge is reserved for modern concept cars and this year it sported a much anticipated world premier. At a private cocktail party two days earlier, a select few were already able to see Jim Glickenhaus' amazing Ferrari P4/5 by Pininfarina, but the general public had to wait one more day. Needless to say, the car drew a mass crowd and even Ferrari supremo Jean Todt dropped by to congratulate Jim on his most special custom Ferrari.
<span class="largeblue">Best of Show[/quote]
After walking up and down the field numerous times and talking to some of the spectators and collectors, we were convinced our friends at RM could very well be right in their prediction earlier in the week of the ‘Best of Show’ winner. To be eligible for the much coveted award, the cars first have to be picked by the specialized judges as best in class to enter the winner’s circle. From these the honourary judges pick their favourite in an anonymous ballot vote. By the way it should be good for the purist to hear that the infamous over-restorations of recent years can now result in deduction points. In the past the winner was informed of his victory in the winner’s circle and could then proceed to the stage in front of the Lodge, but this year they spiced things up by bringing the three runners up and the ‘Best of Show’ together at the base of the ramp before announcing the winner. Accompanied by fireworks and blasts of confetti Bob Lee was driven up in his freshly restored Daimler Double Six Corsica Roadster. A well deserved win for both the owner (at his 27th attempt) and the striking car. It was a particularly good day for restorers RM as one of the three runners up had left their shop together with the Daimler. RM founder Rob Myers explained that it was no easy restoration and that for example the Daimler’s 23 inch tires had to be custom made at a cost of $6500 per tire. More information on the extravagant, but elegant Daimler will follow shortly. You can also expect many of the cars present in our close up features in the future.
<span class="largeblue">Conclusion[/quote]
As the night fell over Pebble Beach on Sunday, it was not just the end of the Concours d’Elegance, but also the end of 120 hours of almost non-stop automotive madness. So exhausted, but fulfilled we got back to the real world where a Ferrari or a Rolls Royce on the road is a rare occasion. It continues to amaze us that the organizers of the Concours come up with some of the most stunning and/or rare vehicles every year. Lowering the number of entries has definitely proved to be an advantage, increasing the opportunity to give each of the cars present a sufficient look over. Once again the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance has distinguished itself as the premier event of its kind. Next year Aston Martin and the Auburn, Cord and Duesenberg companies will take centre stage and we for one can not wait for the surprises the selecting committee will no doubt pull out of their high hat again.
Bob Lee was rewarded for 20 years of Best In Show attempts, this year for a worthy Daimler, the 1939 Double-Six 50 Corsica Drophead Coupe.
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<td class="red_18_b">Pebble thins the field and cranks up the drama </td>
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<td><span class="storyByline">By MARK VAUGHN [/quote]</td>
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Yes, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is all about the most beautiful cars in the world driven by the most passionate car lovers, presented in the most beautiful setting, blah, blah, blah.
What is often overlooked in all that hyperbole is that this is a competition—a hard-fought, very expensive competition. There’s nothing more focused than a car owner during the couple of minutes his car is being judged on the 18th fairway at Pebble.
Hundreds of large, wealthy capitalists spend millions of dollars to beat out all the other large, wealthy capitalists for nothing more than “The Trophee” by Lalique and a year’s worth of respect. The short, skinny capitalists are in it just as deep, too. It’s like the America’s Cup.
But if there wasn’t all that competitiveness, there wouldn’t be all the other stuff—the world’s most beautiful cars, the most passionate car lovers, the most beautiful setting, etc. So it all works to our benefit.
And since it’s a competition, you never know who’s going to win. Most people don’t even know who’s entered; even guys we spoke to on the selection committee can’t give you a read on the contenders for Best of Show until just about show day morning.
[img]/UserFiles/Delayahe 175 S Saoutchik Coupe.jpg[/img]
Driving across the ramp is another worthy contender, the 1949 Delayahe 175 S Saoutchik Coupe. Sure, they can guess. The winner is usually, though not always, from the featured marque. This year that gave Delahaye and Voisin an edge. In the last 10 years that French swoopy coupe look has won seven times, thus dashing the hopes of all entrants from the Brass Era.
The first public glimpse at this year’s field came the Thursday before the Concours on The Tour. The Tour is a drive around Monterey for cars entered in the Concours. Complete The Tour and your car gets a green ribbon that just might tip the judges in your favor if your car is tied with a non-Tour entry. Or maybe not.
So the Thursday afternoon after this year’s Tour and before the Sunday Concours, the smart money was on the bright aqua-colored 1949 Delahaye 175 S Saoutchik Coupe, a car so long, so luxurious and so beautiful that it was sending everyone to the thesaurus to look up new adjectives. It was described by one observer as being “three times more beautiful than the next-most beautiful car you’ve ever even <em nd="5">seen[/i].” But he might have had a little too much cough syrup when he said that.
Then Sunday morning came, all 175 cars rolled onto the lawn and suddenly everyone came up with new lists. First on many lists was that monster gunboat of a Daimler, the 1939 Double-Six 50 Corsica Drophead Coupe, which looked like it was designed and built for rich people to drive over the poor while laughing.
”It’s just the height of luxurious extravagance,” said owner Bob Lee. “Bearing in mind that it was made in the Depression.”
[img]/UserFiles/Bugatti at Pebble Beach.jpg[/img]
The people’s favorite, the 1939 Bugatti Type 57 C Voll & Ruhrbeck. It had a hood about two blocks long and a little cockpit way back near the rear.
“It’s just a fantastic car from the standpoint of proportions,” said Lee. “Look at the size of that. It’s elegant, it’s long, it’s almost 19-feet long, and it’s really only comfo
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