Every August, the world-famous golf course on the Californian coast serves as a spectacular backdrop for the world’s most renowned competition for classic automobiles. A rare look behind the scenes.
Not all attendees at the 2022 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance want to be recognized—even if they’re award winners.
Held for the first time in 1950, the “Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance” has developed into the world’s largest and most famous beauty contest for classic automobiles. It is therefore not surprising that every August an increasing number of collectors, enthusiasts as well as technology and design enthusiasts travel to Pebble Beach.
As a rule, an award in a competition is always accompanied by an increase in the value of the classic car presented, especially when it is one of the most coveted prizes such as “Most elegant car”, “Best in Class” or even “Best of Show”. But until then, a lot of preparation time is required from the organization and the participants.
The Selecting Committee examines the applications received and decides whether a vehicle will be admitted to the Concours. Once this hurdle has been cleared, preparations for active participation in Pebble Beach begin. The primary task is to prepare the classic car for the most important 15 minutes of the weekend: the inspection by the jury.
Strict evaluation criteria
First and foremost, the condition of the chassis, engine and transmission, the body, the interior and, in the case of convertibles, the soft top is assessed. Deviations from the configuration when the vehicle was delivered result in negative points. The jury attaches particular importance to authenticity and true-to-original condition, documented history and the functionality of, for example, the engine, light or direction indicator.
The evaluation begins on a point scale with a maximum of 100 points. Deviations from the original as well as the smallest changes are penalized with minus points. The judges can award additional points, for example for special elegance or special history. The automobile with the highest number of points wins the “Best of Class” award, while the second and third place in the class also receive awards. Honor where credit is due.
Honorary judges then decide among the class winners on special prizes such as “Most elegant Car” and last but not least on the coveted title “Best of Show”. The four classic cars nominated for this title are then lined up in a row in front of the ramp, on which they were already awarded for class victory in the afternoon, as the highlight of the whole event before the award ceremony.
The 1932 Duesenberg J Figoni Sports Torpedo is this year’s winner of the Best in Show award at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
The jury was convinced by the condition, the faithfulness to the original and the documented history of the Duesenberg.
This year the 1930 Duesenberg J Graber Cabriolet, the 1932 Duesenberg J Figoni Sports Roadster, the 1937 Talbot-Lago T150C-SS Figoni & Falaschi Teardrop Coupé and the 1951 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport Stabilimenti Farina Cabriolet were nominated. The decision was extremely narrow in favor of the 1932 Duesenberg J Figoni Sports Torpedo, which was specially restored for the 2022 Pebble Beach Concours.
From the Swiss point of view it was very pleasing that this year two classes were dedicated to the famous Swiss coachbuilder Hermann Graber from Wichtrach. Many of Hermann Graber’s masterpieces are now owned by American collectors. All the better that enthusiasts from Switzerland spared neither effort nor expense to enrich the tough competition with their unique pieces created in Wichtrach. A total of 16 vehicles with Graber bodies were presented in various classes. A wonderful cross-section of Hermann Graber’s activities and works, which received great recognition and even admiration.
As in previous years, some participants from Switzerland took part in the Concours d’Elegance with their pearls, and some were awarded the coveted prizes. It is not surprising that the largest number of Swiss participants competed in the classes with Graber bodies.
Another notable fact was that the highest body of the jury has changed course in the evaluation criteria. Away from the over-restored classic vehicles trimmed for “show cars” towards more authenticity and originality. A trend in the right direction. Greater value is increasingly being placed on the provenance and the most continuous and complete history possible.
Where vehicles that were completely over-restored and thus robbed of their soul used to be the vast majority, unrestored automobiles are also welcome and welcome in the “FIVA Trophy” or “Preservation Class”. Christian Jenny, proven Jaguar collector and connoisseur of the history of the British brand, showed one of the first delivered closed 1961 Jaguar E-Types from the former Briggs Cunningham property in absolutely original condition. The previous owner Thomas Haddock has written a book as an E-Type reference work based on this vehicle.
Also a luxury new car show for a few years
The Concours d’Elegance in Pebble Beach on Sunday is always the absolute highlight of an exciting supporting program that begins on Tuesday and also features the latest special models and concept studies. Wealthy American clientele in particular greatly appreciate such events. And so it becomes clear why the high-end manufacturers use the Pebble Beach week to present the latest models.
The particularly potent world premieres this time included the Bugatti W16 Mistral, the Lamborghini Urus Performante, the Aston Martin DBR22 and the McLaren Solus GT. Bentley brought a whole range of models to Pebble Beach. The British rebuild the 4½ liter Blower from 1930 according to the specifications of the time in a limited edition. One can argue about the sense or nonsense of such replicas.
The Bugatti W16 Mistral was one of the world premieres at the 2022 Concours d’Elegance in Pebble Beach. All 99 purchasable copies of the 5 million expensive roadster have already been taken.
The golf club on California’s Pacific coast has been one of the most important venues in the world of classic automobiles since 1950. Manufacturers are also showing world premieres and future studies more and more frequently.
Like other premium manufacturers, Bentley is repositioning itself in the face of the great challenges of the coming years. From 2025, Bentley vehicles will be on the road with electric drives. Extensive refurbishment and new construction of the Crewe factory is now under way. The manufacture of limited and individualized Bentley models by the in-house brand Mulliner, one of the oldest body shops in the world, will also be given more space.
The future of brand design is anticipated in the Bentley Mulliner Batur. The special Mulliner Batur model, limited to 18 units, is available in different versions according to customer requirements. The paintwork, the leather, the carpets, the interior and much more are specifically selected for each vehicle with the customer and installed in Crewe as a one-off production. Despite the high purchase price of 1.9 million pounds, the planned 18 copies are already sold out. The current capacity of the employees and the existing space in the assembly halls do not allow for higher requirements.
