This year’s winner

‘It’s the war of the decades!’ The live-stream pundits were beside themselves with anticipation: two post-war cars – a Ferrari and a Maserati – in the final cut of four vying for Best of Show at Pebble Beach. It was unprecedented: ‘Is the old guard getting rattled?’ pondered commentator Justin Bell. Could it be victory for the erubescent 1956 Maserati A6G Zagato Coupé of Jonathan and Wendy Segal, already winner of an elegance award?

Anticipation grew as the Maserati first edged forwards to the final assembly point, peaking as master of ceremonies Derek Hill – son of the much-missed Phil Hill, who did so much to make Pebble Beach a world-class event – opened the golden envelope containing the judges’ verdicts. After all the anticipation, tradition was upheld: ‘And the 2021 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance winner is… the 1938 Mercedes-Benz 540K Autobahn-Kurier of Arturo and Deborah Keller!’

This was not the first time the Kellers’ gloriously understated raven-black Autobahn-Kurier had made it to the final cut at Pebble Beach: it was a qualifier for Best of Show fresh out of restoration back