Monterey Car Week; Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance 2015
One Sunday each August grass meets automotive class for the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. On the eighteenth fairway of the famed Pebble Beach Golf Links on 17 Mile Drive, nearly 200 very special collector cars selected for the occasion gather at what is arguably the best car show in the world. Similar to what is said by nominated actors at the Academy awards; it is an honor for a car just to be there.
The day starts very early. We are parked in our designated mulched sand lot by 4.30 am to attend ‘Dawn Patrol’. Dawn Patrol is the traditional gathering of serious car enthusiasts who line up before dawn for coffee/donuts and coveted ‘Dawn Patrol’ hats from Hagerty Insurance. We then watch the cars roll onto the lawn for placement on the 18th fairway. It is the best part of the day, and the best part of Monterey Car Week; the crowds have not yet gathered, the cars are in motion allowing us to hear and see and smell these automotive gems in action, and the owners and handlers are milling about with contagious excitement.
When we first attended Dawn Patrol 15 years ago there were a few dozen people in attendance. Every year thereafter the small crowd grew by a few dozen more. This year, 2015, there were a few hundred people by 5am. A few of the folks actually got a bit pushy for their coveted $6 Dawn Patrol hat. Now now, no need to draw blood from the forearms of the sweet Hagerty reps. A few friends who were not willing to get up so early requested that we get them a hat. It must be earned, we told the slackers. Or purchased on eBay for $225 (not mine of course).
Once all the cars were on the field, roughly 7.30am, the Pebble Beach mist started to lift. By 8am the field was jammed with people. It was hard to imagine how they could fit more spectators when the gates opened at 9am. We took our time browsing the cars up and down the rows, and then departed to the lovely Club d’Elegance near the Gooding & Company tent for breakfast. Then, back to the Concours for more car and people viewing.
The Concours, though fabulous as always, did miss something without the refined voice and talents of veteran actor Ed Herrmann who passed away earlier in 2015. Others filled in to emcee, and did a fine job. RIP Mr Herrmann. Jay Leno was spot-on as he always is.
Here are some pictures from Concours d’Elegance
In the car park at 4.30am, the Mercedes-Benz next to us had this cool MB door projector light, also known as a puddle light
The girls have been hatted at Dawn Patrol
The morning Dawn Patrol crowd lines up for the cars to drive onto the lawn
A 1949 Aston Martin DB2 Coupe whips by
A very dashing Barry Meguiar arrives in his 1901 Duryea XLS
Very elegant
Jay Leno taking pics with fans; no entourage, friendly, gracious
Jay Leno having a chat
Jay obviously approves
Mist on the water. A lot of golf balls go into that ocean
1932 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental Kellner 3-Position Cabriolet
1903 Thomas Model 18 Sheldon Rear Entrance Tonneau; one of only three known to exist
The 1901 Duryea XLS was manufactured the same year Frank Meguiar, Barry Meguiar’s grandfather founded Meguiar’s
1953 Bentley R-Type Continental H.J. Mulliner Sports Saloon. When it was first launched the Bentley R-Type was the world’s most expensive production car, capable of reaching over 120mph
The judges for the Concours assemble
1939 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Touring Coupe
1949 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS Touring Coupe
1961 Maserati 3500 GT Touring Coupe in Prosecco silver grey with mink interior
1952 Ferrari 212 Inter Pinin Farina Coupe
1954 Cunningham C-3 Vignale Coupe
This Cunningham C-3 Vignale Coupe has the optional Ford radio and heater
Oh that Chrysler engine
Lovely outfit , but I hope she applied sunscreen
1937 Delahaye 145 Franay Cabriolet
This Delahaye began life as a 12-cylinder Grand Prix race car. Hard to imagine
Marius Franay discarded the racing body, and a futuristic cabriolet was built on the V12 chasis
Elegant interior
1937 Peugeot 402 Pourtout Cabriolet
The Mrs. has dressed for the car and the occasion
It’s my car and I shall sit here if I like. 1955 Bentley R-Type Continental H.J. Mulliner Fastback
The back of the Bentley Continental. It is in the Preservation Class
Alain de Cadenet, charming, handsome, and extremely knowledgeable about vintage cars
Filming one of the Velocity shows, Fast and Loud
On the Ferrari display; 599GTO
The new Ferrari 488 GTB has twin turbos
Ferrari Sergio. Only six are being produced. 0-60<3secs
Jon Shirley won Best in Show at the 2014 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance with this gorgeous Ferrari 375MM. It was originally owned by Italian Director Roberto Rossellini
Our Dawn Patrol hats take a break at breakfast
1933 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Brewster Special Permanent Newmarket
Such a beautiful toolkit with the RR
The crowd
1935 Duesenberg J Walker-LaGrande Convertible Coupe. The car is famous for its semi-automatic top
1938 Alfa Romeo 6C 2300B MM Touring-style Spider Corsa
1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Touring Spider
1949 Ferrari 166M Touring Barchetta. This was the 4th 166 MM Barchetta built and the most celebrated, winning the Mille Miglia and the 24 Hrs of Le Mans
1955 Alfa Romeo 1900 CSS Boano Coupe
This one-off has an impressive two-piece rear window
Ferrari Competition cars
More Ferrari Competition
1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Scaglietti Berlinetta Competizione, built in lightweight alloy
1964 Ferrari 250 LM Scaglietti Berlinetta
1952 Ferrari 212 Inter Vignale Berlinetta, all alloy coupe with Perspex rear and side windows
1953 Ferrari 250 MM Vignale Spider
1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB Scaglietti Berlinetta
1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB Scaglietti Spyder California Competizione, just one of nine alloy bodied 250GT LWB Competition Spyders built
1956 Ferrari 250 GT Alloy Boano Coupe. Love the ghost stripes
1953 Ferrari 340 Mexico Vignale Berlinetta. Unique to the Mexico are vertical scoops in the doors, which directed air to the rear brakes
The big view
Best in Show winner at 2015 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance: 1924 Isotta Fraschini 8A F. Ramseier & Cie Worblaufen Cabriolet. This car has had only four owners from new
