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Comedian and car collector Jay Leno, who runs the show's "opportunity drawing" or raffle, is bringing one of his many cars to participate in the centennial celebration: a 1918 Stutz Bearcat two-seat roadster.
Hitting the Marque
Notable Cars of the 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
BY BRETT WILBUR
In celebration of the 125th anniversary of the automobile, the 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance is showcasing cars from across the spectrum of automotive history.
"We are trying to pull together a field that gives people a feel for the car in so many different ranges," Director of Media Relations Kandace Hawkinson explains. "So we're hoping that the breadth of the field reflects that. And because the first car created 125 years ago was a Benz, we are definitely focusing on Mercedes-Benz this year…We are also highlighting the centennial of Stutz, the 75th anniversary of the Ferrari 250 GTO, and the 50th anniversary of the Jaguar E-Type."
Comedian and car collector Jay Leno, who runs the show's "opportunity drawing" or raffle, is bringing one of his many cars to participate in the centennial celebration: a 1918 Stutz Bearcat two-seat roadster. Award-winning actor Edward Herrmann will reprise his role as master of ceremonies.
This is also the third year of the Concours including motorcycles in the field. The two prior years featured British and American bikes, while this year showcases Italian. "[The response] has been very positive," Hawkinson says. "There are a lot people who really collect both. A lot of cars and motorcycles have an interchangeable history. Jaguar began as the Swallow Sidecar Company. Pierce Arrow built motorcycles as well as cars."
Another highlight of the show this year: of 36 Ferrari 250 GTO proto- types made, more than 20 were confirmed at press time to be participating in the show, and set to be on display at ocean's edge by the Lodge at Pebble Beach.
"We try to stay focused on the cars themselves as the core of the event and we try to bring only absolutely the very best cars here," Hawkinson says. "And we have a serious competition in terms of the judging. People know if they make it into the show and then if they win, that really bears some weight. It adds to the history of the car and affirms it." Below, we invite you to enjoy a sampling of some outstanding cars coming to the event this year.
The 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance takes place Sunday, August 21. For a complete schedule of events and more information, go to www.pebblebeachconcours.net.
Special Cars this Year...
1961 JAGUAR E-TYPE COUPE,
CHASSIS #885005
OWNED BY CHRISTIAN JENNY
This model is the first Jaguar E-Type ever shown
to the public, and debuted at the Geneva Car Show
in 1961. It was originally designed to be a convertible,
but was changed shortly before the show to a
coupe. This is the actual show car, and was considered
"the star among all the exhibits."
1964 FERRARI 158 F1 AND
1956 MV AGUSTA 500CC
OWNED BY GEORGE BARBER
VINTAGE MOTORSPORTS MUSEUM
Grand Prix motorcycle road racer and Formula
One driver John Surtees is the only person to win
world championships on both a motorcycle and a
car. Both his winning vehicles will be
at Concours this year. "These are his
two trusty steeds," Hawkinson says.
"They are an amazing pair, and have
a shared history."
1906 ADAMS-FARWELL
6A CONNOLLY
CARRIAGE AND BUGGY
CONVERTIBLE RUNABOUT
OWNED BY NATIONAL AUTOMOBILE
MUSEUM, THE HARRAH COLLECTION
"The convertible runabout looked like horse and
buggy carriages," Hawkinson says. "But they had the
added incentive of a little bit of gas power. This is the
only Adams-Farwell car left in the world. It may not
be well known to the majority of people, but there
are a lot of people who collect cars and want the
one and only. It's not only a one-off of a model, but
also a one-off of a marque."
1950 DELAYAHE
GUILLORE ATLAS
OWNED BY HUGO MODDERMAN
Hugo Modderman's 1950 Delahaye Guillore
Atlas, one of only five still in existence, has taken a
somewhat circuitous path from Europe to the
Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Starting in
Monaco, the Delahaye traveled through France,
Italy, Switzerland, and Germany on its way to
Rotterdam, Holland, where it was loaded onto a
container vessel for a 27-day voyage across the
Atlantic, the Mediterranean and through the
Panama Canal to Oakland.
1934 FORD 40
SPECIAL SPEEDSTER
OWNED BY EDSEL AND ELEANOR
FORD MUSEUM
Edsel Ford was the son of the original Henry
Ford. "His dad was mostly interested in building reliable,
cheap cars quickly," Hawkinson says. "He used
to say people could have a car any color they wanted,
as long as it's black. He was not a style
guy…Edsel loved style…He built a European speedster
for his own driving pleasure…His grandson,
Edsel Ford II, is now current head of Ford, and located
the car and had it restored. It's going to debut
here in its restored condition. It's a one-off."