The old golf adage “Drive for Show” certainly applies at Pebble Beach this week.
The 68th Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance will be as glitzy as ever Aug. 26. More than 30 classes of classic cars will line the iconic 17th and 18th holes at Pebble Beach, a cavalry of inconceivable concept cars will circle the practice putting green, and fetching Ferrari Spiders will be crawling all over the first fairway.
Here’s what we’re looking forward to on Sunday:
THE CAR EISENHOWER PARADED IN DURING HIS INAUGURATION
The headliner of the special Eisenhower Era Dream Convertibles class is…this muscular Cadillac convertible President Dwight Eisenhower cruised in during his 1953 Inauguration parade:
This year the Concours d’Elegance will feature something different: Chrome—hulking, glaring masses of shaped chrome.
A section of the field at Pebble Beach on Sunday is set aside for what Concours officials call Eisenhower Era Dream Convertibles, a nod to the 1953 Cadillac Fleetwood that floated newly elected president Dwight D. Eisenhower down Pennsylvania Avenue in his Inaugural parade.
“That was a real departure from the black limousines,” says Chris Bock, Chief Judge for the Concours.
A PAIR OF RARE CHINESE LIMOUSINES
This black limousine is a different kind of departure.
For the first time in Concours history, cars crafted in mainland China will compete for Best of Show. A pair of Hong Qi limousines will be featured, an exciting departure from the vast majority of entries built in North American and Europe.
Said owner Zongmin ‘Jason’ Huang: “My experience at Pebble Beach in 2016 was wonderful and urged me to achieve my next dream. That is presenting the Hong Qi, the best Chinese car, to the whole world. It was my ultimate dream that one day I could bring my favourite collector car to this sacred hall.”
THE OTHER EXOTICS CAR CLASSES
No two Concours fields are the same, especially because of the unique marques and special classes featured each year. This year’s event includes:
- Motor Cars of the Raj: Cars with a history tied to India. Most of these cars were sold into India when they were new, during the period of British rule, and many remain there.
- Rollston Coachwork: Rollston was among the finest coach builders of the Classic Era, often building one-of-a-kind bodies on chassis built by Packard, Minerva and others.
- OSCA: Founded in 1947 by three of the Maserati brothers, OSCA built sports racing cars that competed on road and track through the ensuing two decades.
- Tucker: Seventy years back Preston Tucker created the torpedo-shaped sedan that bears his name. Just 51 Tuckers were made and 47 are known to exist today.
- Postwar Custom Citroën: Car enthusiasts have increasingly recognized the style inherent in many postwar custom-built Citroëns.
- Vintage-Era Sporting Cars: The 2018 Vintage class will focus on early sporting cars built from 1916 to 1924
PICKING OUT OUR FAVORITE CONCEPT CAR
At an event that celebrates the past, the Concept Lawn takes you Back to the Future. (It wouldn’t be shocking to see the DeLorean featured here one day.) Ten cars will be making their world debut, and an additional seven will be shown for the first time in North America.
Here’s a taste of what will be showcased this year. And if you ever wanted to make a Hall of Fame for Pebble Beach concept cars, here’s a fun attempt.
Does this exhibit have you thinking about more outside-the-box ideas? How about this fun exercise pondering which cars from today will be considered classics at future Concours.
WHO WILL WIN BEST OF SHOW?
How is the winning car decided?
As chief judge, Bock oversees a team of 100 automobile experts who scrutinize vehicles for the slightest flaw, as well as the 50 honorary judges charged with selecting Best of Show. The competition judges work on a 100-point checklist. Bock is also is part of the committee selecting entries from across the globe to showcase on Pebble Beach’s famed 18th fairway.
“It’s a wonderful thing to judge,” Bock says. “You are being challenged by the best cars in the world.”
More than 1,000 entries were whittled down to the 200 featured on Sunday’s Show Field. A car can only compete once every 10 years, which makes the entry of a 1928 Minerva Type AF Hibbard & Darrin All Weather Cabriolet interesting — it was named Best of Show in 1987. Also of note, Jim Peterson is a two-time Best of Show winner, and will be going for a third title with a third different car: his 1937 Cadillac Series 90 Hartmann Cabriolet.
We can’t wait to see the action unfold Sunday!
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