The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is likely America’s definitive concours event. Certainly, others may approach it, but “Pebble” as it is known, is the most coveted invitation one can receive in the restoration hobby. This year, that invitation was accepted by 216 cars. Owners from 18 different nations, and 30 of the 50 U.S. states, displayed some of the finest vintage vehicles in existence. Special classes for 2023 included: Spanish sports car Pegaso; Lamborghini 60th Anniversary; McLaren 60th Anniversary; Porsche 75th Anniversary; American Dream Cars of the 1950s; and two classes to celebrate the centennial of coachbuilder Figoni.
The majority of cars on the show field also took part in the 25th running of the Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance, which not only offers 70 miles of spectacular coastal roads but serves as a deciding factor in the event of a tie between participating and non-participating cars. It’s the public’s best opportunity to get a free look at the show cars and the only chance to see most of them running down a public road.
A 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster, presented by Jim Patterson of the Patterson Collection in Louisville, Kentucky, took Best of Show honors from a field that included the Auriga Collection’s 1930 Mercedes-Benz 710 SS Special Roadster, a 1932 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Corto Figoni Cabriolet shown care of Gregor Fisken, and a 1939 Delahaye 165 Figoni et Falaschi Cabriolet owned by the Peter Mullin Automotive Museum Foundation.
1914 ROLLS ROYCE SILVER GHOST BREWSTER TOURER
A worthy addition to the Prewar Preservation class was David Gooding and Dawn Ahrens’ 1914 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Brewster Tourer, which apparently retains its Brewster-applied paint, coachwork, and upholstery. Fittingly, the Rolls originally resided on Park Avenue, in New York City. The original purchasers enjoyed the car so much that
