The 63rd edition of the Concours d'Elégance in Pebble Beach was marked by important automotive anniversaries, among other things. Over 240 vehicles were registered for the Concours, divided into 30 classes.
With the Packard 1108 Twelve Dietrich Convertible Victoria (1934), an American vehicle took the overall victory again after almost 20 years. The only exception to this winning streak was the Duesenberg SJ Roadster (1935), a US vehicle, which took the title of "Best of Show" at the 2007 Concours.
Celebrated brand anniversaries of Aston Martin, Lamborghini and Porsche
One of these was dedicated solely to the 100th anniversary of Aston Martin, with a few Astons also competing in non-brand classes at the show. The Aston Martin class comprised 13 cars, with the oldest of the models on show being a Twin Cam from 1925 and the youngest a shortened DB5 Volante from 1965.
Lamborghini was awarded a different anniversary class. The fact that Lamborghini has only been in the automobile business for half as long as Aston Martin is probably one of the reasons why the Lambo show class was only half the size with seven exhibits. The cars on display in Pebble Beach show the actual beginnings of the brand, in the form of the 350 GTV Coupé model, the prototype with which Ferruccio Lamborghini first appeared as a sports car manufacturer at the Geneva Motor Show in 1963. Incidentally, this prototype is one of nine cars from a Swiss collection that found their way to this year's Concours d'Elégance. The Lamborghini show included the Miura, Espada and Countach models.
The Porsche 911 also has 50 years under its belt, which was celebrated with nine racing cars and eight road models. Among these 17 911s was a 911 Targa from 1974, which was used by the Dutch police at the time.
Lincoln parade on the lawn
Apart from the anniversary classes, the US manufacturer Lincoln in particular enjoyed a prominent place at the Concours. A total of 28 vehicles in four sub-classes rolled onto the lawn of the legendary Pebble Beach golf course from this car manufacturer, which is still considered the luxury brand of Ford today.
Among the exhibits was a convertible built by Carrossier Dietrich, which US President Harry S. Truman had added to his fleet in 1950. A total of 19 of these cars were built for the US and other governments. The car on display was also used by Dwight D. Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy after Truman.
Incidentally, Emily Passey, the youngest participant ever admitted to the Concours, competed in the Lincoln class. The 16-year-old Emily has had her driver's license since June and brought a 1932 Lincoln KB-241 with Dietrich bodywork from the large family collection to Pebble Beach. After grandfather Jack - who was honored this year for 40 years as a jury member - and father Bill, Emily is the third generation of Passey on the sacred Pacific golf turf. Incidentally, Emily came second in her class with the Lincoln.
Tribute to coachbuilder Vanvooren
While the luxury cars bodied by Jacques Saoutchik received special honors last year, this year it was the no less exclusive vehicles with Vanvooren bodies. Five of the eight cars were built on Hispano-Suiza chassis.
In addition to the usual Rolls-Royce, Mercedes-Benz and Ferrari classes, special manufacturer categories were dedicated to the Duesenberg and Simplex brands this year.
Separate class for BMW 507
In addition, a class was dedicated to the now rare BMW 507, which was only built between 1956 and 1958, with two of the six cars on display being in Swiss hands.
The 507 was built under the direction of the American importer, who saw it as an answer to the Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder. Lukas Hüni had entered an early series BMW 507 equipped with a handmade hardtop. He was awarded third place in his class for this car. Another BMW 507 was presented by Erich Traber from Salenstein. The first owner of his 1958 Series II Roadster was none other than Elvis Presley, and it subsequently passed to Ursula Andress.
Alfa Romeo 8C out of competition
The field of 28 Alfa Romeo 8Cs was out of competition. Alongside the Bugatti Type 35, this racer was considered the most successful pre-war racing car, winning the Millle Miglia and the Targa Florio three times each and Le Mans four times. Following the Concours d'Elégance, the cars set off on a 1000-mile tour of the Rocky Mountains.
Carlo Vögele from Rapperswil was one of the participants in the Alfa Romeo 8C field with his 8C 2600 Monza from 1932, alongside him was Lukas Hüni with an 8C 2300 Touring Spider from 1932.
Graber-Bentley with category victory
Perhaps the most famous Swiss coachbuilder, Hermann Graber, presented a freshly restored Bentley S1 Continental, which has a Graber body and was first presented at the Geneva Motor Show in 1956.
The convertible, originally painted in cream, is now presented in dark green, contrasted by light green leather. The car is now owned by Fred Kriz from Monaco, who took first place in his category with his Graber-Bentley.
Lamborghini sports car in the spotlight
In addition to the aforementioned Lamborghini 350 GTV Coupé from Albert Spiess from Pfäffikon, two Miura cars from Switzerland were also on show. Simon Kidston's SV Berlinetta (1973) was best in its class, with this Spinto Veloce being the last Miura built by the factory.
The P400 Prototype Bertone Coupé (1966) from the Caveng Collection in Geneva is a first Miura. It is the second of three prototypes, but was the first Miura to be sold to a customer.
Andrej Friedman took third place in the post-war preservation class with his Lamborghini Miura SV Bertone Coupé (1971). This was one of ten SVs equipped with a differential brake. This Miura was parked in 1981 and has now been brought back to life by the Lamborghini factory on behalf of Friedman.
The classes and their winners
Class A: Antique
1. 1912 Packard 30 7 Passenger Sedan, The Phil Hill Family, Santa Monica, California
2. 1914 American Underslung 642 Roadster, Sam & Emily Mann, Englewood, New Jersey
3. 1906 Pope-Toledo Type XII Roi des Belges 7 Passenger Touring, The Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum, Fairbanks, Alaska
Class B: Simplex
1. 1911 Simplex 50 Holbrook Toy Tonneau, Ray Scherr, Westlake Village, California
2. 1912 Simplex 50 HP Quinby 5 Passenger Toy Tonneau, William P. Snyder, Sewickley, Pennsylvania
3. 1912 Simplex 50 HP, Leland Powels, Van Nuys, California
Class C-1: American Classic Open
1. 1938 Buick Series 40 Lancefield Drophead Coupe, John & Christiane Beebe, Osprey, Florida
2. 1933 Marmon Sixteen LeBaron Convertible Coupe, Aaron & Valerie Weiss, San Marino, California
3. 1935 Auburn 851 Speedster, Lammot J. du Pont, McLean, Virginia
Class C-2: American Classic Open Packard
1. 1934 Packard 1108 Twelve Dietrich Convertible Victoria, Joseph & Margie Cassini III, West Orange, New Jersey
2. 1933 Packard 1005 Twelve Coupe Roadster, Margaret & Christopher Duhon, Chicago, Illinois
3. 1937 Packard 1507 Twelve Coupe Roadster, Jim & Shelley Hussey, San Leandro, California
Class C-3: American Classic Closed
1. 1931 Cadillac 452A Fleetwood Coupe, Brent Merrill, Toronto, Canada
2. 1930 Cadillac 452 Fleetwood Coupe, Rudy Langer, Kansas City, Missouri
3. 1939 Packard 1707 Twelve Formal Sedan, David L. Stone, Farmington, Utah
Class D-1: Lincoln Custom Coachwork V8
1. 1930 Lincoln L-170 Judkins Coupe, David W. Schultz, Massillon, Ohio
2. 1925 Lincoln L Brunn Roadster, Arnold Schmidt & Joanne Young, Grananda Hills, California
3. 1929 Lincoln L-163B Locke Sport Phaeton, Robert & Diane Berry, Fairlawn, Ohio
Class D-2: Lincoln Custom Coachwork V12
1. 1932 Lincoln KB Murphy Roadster, John & Heather Mozart, Palo Alto, California
2. 1932 Lincoln KB-241 Dietrich Convertible Sedan, Emily Passey, Watsonville, California
3. 1935 Lincoln K LeBaron Convertible Coupe, Chuck & Amy Spielman, La Jolla, California
Class D-3: Lincoln-Zephyr & Continental
1. 1941 Lincoln Continental Coupe, Chris V. Bang, San Jose, California
2. 1940 Lincoln-Zephyr Convertible, Larry Tribble, Suffield, Connecticut
3. 1938 Lincoln-Zephyr Coupe, Academy of Art University, San Francisco, California
Class D-4: Lincoln Custom Coachwork Postwar
1. 1956 Continental Mark II Coupe, Rick & Elaine Schmidt, Ocala, Florida
2. 1955 Lincoln Indianapolis Boano Coupe, Paul & Judy Andrews, Fort Worth, Texas
3. 1956 Continental Mark II Hess & Eisenhardt Convertible, Glynette & Barry Wolk, Farmington Hills, Michigan
Class E: Aston Martin Centennial
1. 1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 Bertone Roadster, Bill & Linda Pope, Paradise Valley, Arizona
2. 1965 Aston Martin Short Chassis Volante, Jerry F. Rosenstock, Encino, California
3. 1935 Aston Martin Ulster Race Car, Nick Mason, Gloucester, England
Class F: Vanvooren Coachwork
1. 1934 Hispano-Suiza J12 Vanvooren Coupe, The Hon. Sir Michael Kadoorie, Hong Kong
2. 1935 Hispano-Suiza J12 Vanvooren Cabriolet, Peter & Merle Mullin, Los Angeles, California
3. 1939 Delage D8-120 Vanvooren Coupé, John W. Rich Jr., Gilberton, Pennsylvania
Class G: Duesenberg
1. 1929 Duesenberg J LeBaron Phaeton, Tony & Jonna Ficco, Wheatridge, Colorado
2. 1921 Duesenberg A Bender Coupe, James Castle Jr, Monterey, California
3. 1929 Duesenberg J LeBaron Phaeton, John & Linda Muckel, Rancho Palos Verde, California
Class H-1: Rolls-Royce Prewar
1. 1914 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Van den Plas Belgium Torpedo, Dr. Terry Bramall CBE, Harrogate, England
2. 1925 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Merrimac Piccadilly, Robin Onsoien, Nipomo, California
3. 1934 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Park Ward Streamline Saloon, Tony Vincent, Beverly Hills, California
Class H-2: Postwar Rolls-Royce & Bentley
1. 1956 Bentley S1 Continental Graber Cabriolet, Fred Kriz, Monte Carlo, Monaco
2. 1959 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud H.J. Mulliner Drophead Coupé, Stephen & Ann Marie Haymes, New York, New York
3. 1954 Bentley R-Type Continental Park Ward Drophead Coupé, Peter G. Livanos, Gstaad, Switzerland
Class I: Mercedes-Benz
1. 1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster, Autosport Designs Inc., Huntington Station, New York
2. 1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K Cabriolet A, Academy of Art University, San Francisco
3. 1936 Mercedes-Benz 290 Cabriolet A, Patrick Smiekel, Montecito, California
Class J-1: European Classic-Early
1. 1930 Bugatti Type 46 Baby Royale Faux Cabriolet, Richard Adams, La Jolla, California
2. 1931 Bentley 8 Litre Spor Saloon, Federico A. Alvarez Castillo, Martinez, Argentina
3. 1933 Hispano-Suiza J12 Binder Coupé de Ville, The Nethercutt Collection, Sylmar, California
Class J-2: European Classic Late
1. 1939 Bugatti Type 57C Gangloff Stelvio, Steve Hamilton, Carson City, Nevada
2. 1939 Bentley 4 1/4 Litre Vanden Plas Tourer, Peter G. Livanos, Gstaad, Switzerland
3. 1940 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS Graber Cabriolet, Dennis & Kathy Varni, Monte Sereno, California
Class L-1: Prewar Preservation
1. 1930 Hispano-Suiza H6C D'Ieteren Frères Transformable, Alan W. McEwan, Redmond, Washington
2. 1935 Voisin Clairiére, Bill & Linda Pope, Paradise Valley, Arizona
3. 1935 Frazer Nash TT Replica Shelsley, Andrew Hall, London, England
Class L-2: Postwar Preservation
1. 1965 Porsche 911 Coupe, Richard & Allison Roeder and Reed & Nan Harman, Los Angeles, California
2. 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Scaglietti Berlinetta, Peter Klutt, Halton Hills, Ontario
3. 1971 Lamborghini Miura SV Bertone Coupé, Andrej Friedman, Lausanne, Switzerland
Class M-1: Ferrari Grand Touring
1. 1955 Ferrari 250 GT Pinin Farina Berlinetta Speciale, Lee & Joan Herrington, Bow, New Hampshire
2. 1951 Ferrari 212 Inter Vignale Coupe, Peter S. Kalikow, New York, New York
3. 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Scaglietti NART Spyder, Larry Carter, Los Gatos, California
Class M-2: Ferrari Competition
1. 1951 Ferrari 212 Export Touring Barchetta, Jack & Kingsley Croul, Corona Del Mar, California
2. 1964 Ferrari 250 LM Scaglietti Berlinetta, Steven & Mary Read, Berkeley, California
3. 1953 Ferrari 250 MM Pinin Farina Berlinetta, Nick Mason, Gloucester, England
Class N: Lamborghini
1. 1973 Lamborghini Miura SV Berlinetta, Simon Kidston, Geneva, Switzerland
2. 1976 Lamborghini Countach LP400, A. Shammas, Toronto, Canada
3. 1964 Lamborghini 350 GT Touring Coupé, Georg Gebhard, Grossefehn, Germany
Class O-1: Postwar Sports & Custom Coachwork
1. 1966 Ford GT40 Mark I, Henry A. Davis, Omaha, Nebraska
2. 1950 Jaguar XK120 Alloy Roadster, Kurt Engelhorn, Maldon, England
3. 1967 Alfa Romeo TZ2 Zagato Coupé, David & Ginny Sydorick, Beverly Hills, California
Class O-2: Postwar Sports & GT
1. 1960 Alfa Romeo Superflow IV, Caballeriza Inc, Redondo Beach, California
2. 1953 Siata 208CS Balbo Berlinetta, Jan De Reu, Knokke, Belgium
3. 1955 Alfa Romeo 1900 CSS Ghia Aigle Cabriolet, Kim & Stephen Bruno, Boca Raton, Florida
Class P-1: Porsche 911 Road Cars
1. 1963 Porsche 901 Prototype, Don & Diane Meluzio, York, Pennsylvania
2. 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS Coupe, Dr. William J. Morris and Mary C. Young, Tacoma, Washington
3. 1975 Porsche 930 Turbo Carrera Coupe, The Ingram Collection, Durham, North Carolina
Class P-2: Porsche 911 Competition
1. 1979 Porsche 935 K3 Coupe, Bruce Meyer, Beverly Hills, California
2. 1967 Porsche 911R Coupe, The Revs Institute for Automotive Research and The Collier Collection, Naples, Florida
3. 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR Coupe, Fica Frio Limited, Jersey, United Kingdom
Class U: BMW 507
1. 1958 BMW 507 Series II Roadster, Charals & Diana Haagen, Malibu, California
2. 1957 BMW 507 Series II Roadster, Jeff Lotman, Los Angeles, California
3. 1957 BMW 507 Series I Roadster, Lukas Hüni, Zurich, Switzerland
Class V-1: Prewar Open Wheel Racing
1. 1908 Benz Prince Heinrich Two Seat Race Car, Ann Bothwell, Woodland Hills, California
2. 1922 Ballot 2 Litre Race Car, George F. Wingard, Eugene, Oregon
3. 1921 Alfa Romeo G1 Race Car, Tony Shooshani, Beverly Hills, California
Class V-2: Indianapolis Roadsters
1. 1960 Epperly Mid-Continent Securities Special Roadster, Bill Akin, Hermitage, Tennessee
2. 962 Lesovsky Sarkes-Tarzian Special Roadster, Malloy Foundation Inc./Tom Malloy, Corona, California
3. 1963 Watson Hopkins Coral Harbor Special Roadster, George T. Lyons, Erie, Pennsylvania
Other prizes
- BEST OF SHOW: 1934 Packard 1108 Twelve Dietrich Convertible Victoria; Joseph & Margie Cassini III, West Orange, New Jersey
- J.B. & Dorothy Nethercutt Most Elegant Closed Car: 1927 Bentley 6 1/2 Litre Surbico Sport Coupé; William E. (Chip) Connor, Hong Kong
- Gwenn Graham Most Elegant Convertible: 1934 Packard 1108 Twelve Dietrich Convertible; Joseph & Margie Cassini III, West Orange, New Jersey
- Most Elegant Open Car: 1929 Duesenberg J LeBaron Phaeton; John & Linda Muckel, Rancho Palos Verde, California
- Strother MacMinn Most Elegant Sports Car: 1955 Ferrari 250 GT Pinin Farina Berlinetta Speciale; Lee & Joan Herrington, Bow, New Hampshire
- Alec Ulmann Trophy: 1934 Hispano-Suiza J12 Vanvooren Pillarless Saloon; The Keller Collection, Petaluma, California
- Ansel Adams Award: 1906 Pope-Toledo Type XII Roi des Belges 7 Passenger Touring; The Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum, Fairbanks, Alaska
- Art Center College of Design Award: 1932 Lincoln KB Murphy Roadster ; John & Heather Mozart, Palo Alto, California
- Briggs Cunningham Trophy: 1912 Simplex 50 HP Quinby 5 Passenger Toy Tonneau; William P. Snyder, Sewickley, Pennsylvania
- Chairman's Trophy: 1908 Benz 105 HP Prinz Heinrich Two Seat Race Car; Ann Bothwell, Woodland Hills, California
- Charles A. Chayne Trophy: 1914 American Underslung 642 Roadster; Sam & Emily Mann, Englewood, New Jersey
- Classic Car Club of America Trophy: 1921 Duesenberg A Bender Coupe; James Castle Jr., Monterey, California
- Elegance in Motion Trophy: 1938 Talbot-Lago 150C SS Figoni & Falaschi Cabriolet; Gwen & Tom Price, Larkspur, California
- Enzo Ferrari Trophy: 1953 Ferrari 250 MM Pinin Farina Berlinetta; Nick Mason, Gloucester, England
- FIVA Prewar Trophy: 1935 Voisin Clairière Berline; Bill & Linda Pope, Paradise Valley, Arizona
- FIVA Postwar Trophy: 1964 Lamborghini 350 GT Touring Coupé; Georg Gebhard, Grossefehn, Germany
- The French Cup: 1939 Delage D8-120 Vanvooren Coupé; John W. Rich Jr., Gilberton, Pennsylvania
- Gran Turismo Trophy: 1953 Aston Martin DB3S Sports; Brian Classic, Cheshire, England
- Lincoln Trophy: 1955 Lincoln Indianapolis Boano Coupe; Paul & Judy Andrews, Fort Worth, Texas
- Lucius Beebe Trophy: 1914 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Van den Plas Belgium Torpedo; Dr. Terry Bramall CBE, Harrogate, England
- Mercedes-Benz Star of Excellence Award: 1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K Cabriolet A; Academy of Art University, San Francisco, California
- Mille Miglia Prewar Trophy: 1932 Alfa Romeo Tipo B P3 Biposto; Gregory Whitten, Medina, Washington
- Mille Miglia Postwar Trophy: 1951 Ferrari 212 MM Vignale Berlinetta; Jon Shirley, Medina, Washington
- Montagu of Beaulieu Trophy: 1931 Bentley 8 Litre Sport Saloon; Federico A. Alvarez Castillo, Martinez, Argentina
- The Phil Hill Cup: 1950 Jaguar XK120 Alloy Roadster; Kurt Engelhorn, Maldon, England
- Revs Program at Stanford Award: 1963 Porsche 901 Prototype Coupe; Don & Diane Meluzio, York, Pennsylvania
- Road & Track Trophy: 1935 Aston Martin Ulster Race Car; Nick Mason, Gloucester, England
- The Tony Hulman Trophy: 1960 Epperly Mid-Continent Securities Special Roadster; Bill Akin, Hermitage, Tennessee
- The Vitesse - Elegance Trophy: 1960 Alfa Romeo Superflow IV Pinin Farina Coupé; Caballeriza Inc., Redondo Beach, California
