2015 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance

The Dawn Patrol awaiting the entry of the featured automobiles.  Image Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

2015 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
By: Brandon J. O'Brien
Images By: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images unless otherwise stated

Since 1950,  the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance has hosted the finest exhibition of classic automobiles in the world.  Held during Monterey’s Car Week every August on the famous 18^th Fairway of the Pebble Beach Golf Links it draws crowds of spectators, journalists and celebraties from all over the world.

Jay Leno discussing the finer points of the Porsche Spyder.  Image Credit :  2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

This was the second year that we covered the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.  Last year I felt like I was being tossed into the deep end of the pool after only a few lessons. I had no idea how overwhelming this event can be.  This year knowing what to expect my confidence level was good. Again, we arrived prior to dawn and joined the Hagerty Insurance team for their "Dawn Patrol. The warm coffee and donuts were greatly appreciated and the wait in line allowed us to make new friends.

I determined from last year that to get good pictures of the cars as they drove onto the green was nearly impossible due to the lack of light and my panning skills.  I elected to skip this and work my way to the further edges of the Concours area. 

Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing waiting for entry to the 18th Fairway at Pebble Beach.  Image Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Once the cars are in place you notice that the field is bustling. The owners and their team of assistants swarm over them with rags, polish, mirrors (to view the undercarriage), paint and model brushes in order to clean up the grass on the tires and undercarriage, hand prints, smudges, and any almost invisible chips in the paint.  Judging includes all of these areas plus much more. This is a time where you can get close to the cars photographing all the details, and when not busy, speak with the owners.

Last minute detailing this 1934 Duisenberg J Durham Tourster.  Image Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Making a final inspection of this 1931 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Grand Sport Touring  "Flying Star" Spider.  Image Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Not all the automobiles are presented in pristine condition.  Unlike the majority of restored classics on display there is a class for unrestored vehicles called "Preservation Class"  and these can be quite interesting as they show the patina of their age.  Many judges and collectors agree that now is the time for this new class.  It might be a disservice to do a 100-point restoration to a beautifully preserved original automobile.

Preservation Class 1956 Maserati A6G 2000 Frua Coupe.  Image Credit:  2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Preservation Class 1934 Bentley 4 1/2 Litre Maythorn Saloon.  Image Credit:  2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Preservation Class 1921 Stutz K Bearcat.  Image Credit:  2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The unrestored motor compartment in the 1921 Stutz K Bearcat.  Image Credit  2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

As the early morning light gives way to another spectacular day the crowds grow and all the  onlookers stroll around the beautiful automobiles.  Excluding a few areas where the bollards prevent the guests from getting too close, the majority of the automobiles are easily accessible. Stroll with us as we present some of our favorites in no particular order.

1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Scaglietti Berlinetta Competizione, chassis 1813GT.  Image Credit:  2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1964 Ferrari 250 LM Scaglietti Berlinetta, chassis 6119.  Image Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1953 Ferrari 340 MM Vignale Spyder, chassis 0350AM.  Image Credit:  2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1960 Ferrari 400 Superamerica Pinin Farina Coupe Aerodinamico Prototipo, chassis 2207SA.  Image Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1958 Ferrari 250 GT LWB Scaglietti Spyder California, chassis 0919GT.  Image Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1939 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Touring Coupe, chassis 915014.  Image Credit:  2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1930 duPont Model G Merrimac Speedster, chassis G967. Image Credit:  2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1928 duPont Model G Merrimac Phaeton, chassis 80.  Image Credit:  2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1929 duPont Model G Waterhouse Roadster.  Image Credit:  2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1928 Alfa Romeo 6C 2300B MM Touring-style Spider Corsa, chassis 815001.  Image Credit:  2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 B Touring Spider. Image Credit:  2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Bobby Rahal's 1965 Shelby G.T. 350, chassis SFM 5S558.  Image Credit:  2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1952 Cunningham C-3 Competition Coupe Prototype, chassis 5206X.  Image Credit:  2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1952 Cunningham C-3 Vignale Coupe.  Image Credit:  2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1965 Shelby Daytona Coupe, chassis CSX 2602.  Image Credit:  2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1928 Mercedes-Benz 680S Tourer.  Image Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K Sindelingen Roadster.  Image Credit:  2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1955 Dutch Grand Prix winning (Fangio) Mercedes-Benz W196R, chassis 00013.  Image Credit:2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1955 MM winning (Moss) Mercedes-Benz W196S  300 SLR, chassis 00004  Image Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1970 Mercedes-Benz C-111 2nd Generation Concept.  Image Credit:  2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1950 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith H.J. Mulliner Drophead Coupe, chassis  WGG48.  Image Credit:  2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The picnic basket and place settings located in the boot of the 1950 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith H.J. milliner Drophead Coupe.  Image Credit:  2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1932 Austro Daimler ADR8 Keibel Karosseriewerke Limousine.  Image Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1938 Bugatti Type 57C Vanvooran Cabriolet, chassis 57808.  Image Credit:  2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1938 Bugatti Type 57C Vanvooran Cabriolet, chassis 57808.  Image Credit:  2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1931 Invicta S Carbodies Tourer.  Image Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1931 Invicta S Carbodies Coupe.  Image Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1935 Lancia Augusta Farina Coupe.  Image Credit:  2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1941 Lincoln Continental Cabriolet.  Image Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1956 Continental Mark II Coupe.  Image Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Hidden gas cap on the 1956 Continental Mark II Coupe.  Image Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1928 Packard 443 Eight Dietrich Coupe. Image Credit:  2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1929 Packard 645 Deluxe Eight Rollston Roadster. Image Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1929 Packard 626 Speedster Eight Roadster.  Image Credit:  2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1936 Cadillac Model 90 Fleetwood Convertible Sedan. Image Credit:  2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Hood Ornament on the1936 Cadillac Model 90 Fleetwood Convertible Sedan. Image Credit:  2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1938 Graham Model 97 Saoutchiok Convertible.  Image Credit:  2015 Brandon o'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1926 Renault 4 MC Manessius Cabriolet deVille.  Image Credit:  2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1903 Thomas Model 18 Sheldon Rear Entrance Tonneau.  Image Credit:  2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1904 Pope-Toledo Type IV Rear Entrance Tonneau.  Image Credit:  2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1913 Stevens-Duryea Model C-Six Five Passenger Touring Car with owner in period costume.  Image Credit:  2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

This event is always a pleaser and as you can see there is generally a make, model, or time period that makes attending worthwhile.  Although it is too early to guess at what marques will be present next year, BMW will be celebrating it's 100th Anniversary so it is a good bet that some unique BMW's will be on the green.

If you have never been to the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance now is the time to book your accommodations and make plans to attend the 66th event which will be held on Sunday August 21, 2016.

TAGS: Motor Driven Images, Brandon O'Brien, Monterey, Pebble Beach, Monterey Car Week, Concours d'Elegance, Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, 2015 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance