Concours d'Elegance Part II

Carol Freshley August 26, 2016

The fun continues!

A Deusenberg Roadster.  Can't you just see Clark Gable driving this? — A Deusenberg Roadster. Can't you just see Clark Gable driving this?

A Delahaye Roadster with full skirted fenders and adjustable windshield height.

This is a streamlined Delahaye roadster with a body by Chabron.

This is a Cadillac powered HWM built in 1954, raced in England and New Zealand up until 1970.

There are Delahayes with Chabron bodies all lined up.

This is one of the featured marques this year, a Lamborghini Miura.

Front detail of a Lamborghini Miura.  This model is considered the first supercar in the sports car world and the most beautiful by many design experts. — Front detail of a Lamborghini Miura. This model is considered the first supercar in the sports car world and the most beautiful by many design experts.

Another two seat Indy 500 race car.  This one had a 16 cylinder engine. — Another two seat Indy 500 race car. This one had a 16 cylinder engine.

A Chabron bodied Delahaye parked in the awards line!

Detail showing how long a Horch hood really is.

It's a Stutz!!  (You knew that, right?) — It's a Stutz!! (You knew that, right?)

A rainbow car!  Well, it really is a Ford GT 40. — A rainbow car! Well, it really is a Ford GT 40.

Concours d'Elegance Part I

Carol Freshley August 25, 2016

The Concours d'Elegance in now considered the premier car show of pre and postwar automobiles along with the latest concept car designs. It is a charitable event held every August at the Pebble Beach Gold Links (18th hole). The show was started in 1950 and has grown every year in both prominence and the number of participants. Cars are judged for authenticity, history, style and function. Cars are grouped into classes based on manufacturer, country of origin, era, and coach builder. Thousands of spectators from all over the world attend the event. Locally, this event is referred to as Car Week. In exchange for a great contribution to the local economy, residents get to enjoy lack of parking, street closures and traffic jams in their otherwise quiet little town.

Cars arrived at the wee hours, just as blue light was trying to get up over the fog.  Each car is escorted to their 'parking' spot on the green and must park within markings on the well tendered grass.  No exceptions! — Cars arrived at the wee hours, just as blue light was trying to get up over the fog. Each car is escorted to their 'parking' spot on the green and must park within markings on the well tendered grass. No exceptions!

Race cars were an exception to the rule that each car has to drive onto the green under its own power and no cars are allowed to park overnight.  Race cars require a considerable amount of time to warm up and cannot wait in line without over he… — Race cars were an exception to the rule that each car has to drive onto the green under its own power and no cars are allowed to park overnight. Race cars require a considerable amount of time to warm up and cannot wait in line without over heating. They were allowed to be towed, if necessary, and may bypass the entrance lines by parking on the green overnight.

Tom was on the 18th hole well before the official opening time.  He took advantage of photographing cars as they came in and once they were set up.  Later the presence of a huge crowd would make photography more difficult.  This is a … — Tom was on the 18th hole well before the official opening time. He took advantage of photographing cars as they came in and once they were set up. Later the presence of a huge crowd would make photography more difficult. This is a 1951 Delahaye 235 with Chabron coachwork. Both Delahaye and Chabron were featured at this year's Concours.

Giorgetto Guigiaro formed ItalDesign, started construction of this car and delivered the prototype to Turin Motor Show 40 days later.  It is built on a Bizzarrini P538 chassis #3. — Giorgetto Guigiaro formed ItalDesign, started construction of this car and delivered the prototype to Turin Motor Show 40 days later. It is built on a Bizzarrini P538 chassis #3.

The ocean and golf course made excellent backgrounds.  This is another Delahaye. — The ocean and golf course made excellent backgrounds. This is another Delahaye.

Arriving! This cute number is a Delahaye roadster.

This is a Delahaye with coachwork by Chabron.

Same car as above with a different profile.

Participants dressed to match the era of their cars.  This is a German made Horch.  It is a part of the Auto Union Company, another featured marque this year.  The modern Audi evolved from the Auto Union Company. — Participants dressed to match the era of their cars. This is a German made Horch. It is a part of the Auto Union Company, another featured marque this year. The modern Audi evolved from the Auto Union Company.

One of the featured marques, this is a Bizzarrini.  Many of these low production Italian models were made strictly for racing in their day. They were acquired by collectors and restored for street driving. — One of the featured marques, this is a Bizzarrini. Many of these low production Italian models were made strictly for racing in their day. They were acquired by collectors and restored for street driving.

Perfectly lined up per specs and instructions, very disciplined!

This is a two seat Indy 500 car, another feature this year.  The extra seat was for the mechanic before the days of pit stops. — This is a two seat Indy 500 car, another feature this year. The extra seat was for the mechanic before the days of pit stops.

The presence of a green ribbon such as this indicates that the car completed the Tour d' Elegance.  This is a 40s vintage BMW sports roadster. — The presence of a green ribbon such as this indicates that the car completed the Tour d' Elegance. This is a 40s vintage BMW sports roadster.

A very rare 512 model Mercedes sports roadster.  This is a very large car. — A very rare 512 model Mercedes sports roadster. This is a very large car.

A super charged Deusenberg.  These were the biggest, fastest and most expensive automobiles of their day. — A super charged Deusenberg. These were the biggest, fastest and most expensive automobiles of their day.

The car is a 1937 Cord.  The pretty lady . . . not from 1937! — The car is a 1937 Cord. The pretty lady . . . not from 1937!

This is a Delage, a French manufacturer.

An artistic rendering of reflections and lines.

Each year there are motorcycles.  This year the BMW had exclusive rights as they celebrated 100 years of producing cars and motorcycles. — Each year there are motorcycles. This year the BMW had exclusive rights as they celebrated 100 years of producing cars and motorcycles.

This is a 2017 Ford GT.  The GT was originally a race car (1966) and just recently has been produced as a 'super car' for the street. — This is a 2017 Ford GT. The GT was originally a race car (1966) and just recently has been produced as a 'super car' for the street.

Usually concept cars are introduced at the Detroit Auto Show in January.  This year there was a change in that timing whereby the most important concept designs were introduced at this show. — Usually concept cars are introduced at the Detroit Auto Show in January. This year there was a change in that timing whereby the most important concept designs were introduced at this show.

This is a concept Maybach representing the luxury line manufactured by Mercedes.

This is a concept design shown by Acura.

Concept car designs indicate a future trend in car design.  These particular cars are not intended to be mass produced.  This is another photograph of a Cadillac. — Concept car designs indicate a future trend in car design. These particular cars are not intended to be mass produced. This is another photograph of a Cadillac.

In case you are uncertain . . . a Lexus.

Seen on a Cadillac. Many of the radiator ornaments are after-market accessories rather than the 'official' company logo.

Concours Tour

Carol Freshley August 20, 2016

One of Tom's favorite events during CAR week, as the locals refer to this week, is the Tour. In past years the tour was about twice the distance as this year and cars completing the tour got points towards the prize. This year the distance was shortened because of fires in the area. It also was 'optional' meaning that points would not be awarded for completing the Tour. Nonetheless, many cars lined up and 'toured'. They are accompanied by police escorts but traffic is not held up and regular cars can find themselves driving alongside these fabulous cars.

The Tour is conducted with two groups.  Tom had scouted out the road where the cars both come and then return.  Here we see the first group (right side) returning and the second group coming by for the first time.  That black car can … — The Tour is conducted with two groups. Tom had scouted out the road where the cars both come and then return. Here we see the first group (right side) returning and the second group coming by for the first time. That black car can only wonder how he got into this crowd!

This is a Delahaye at the starting line.  The French coach builders in the 1930s would accept a chassis from a high manufacturer and custom build a body for a very wealthy customer.  They were the first streamlined cars and other builders … — This is a Delahaye at the starting line. The French coach builders in the 1930s would accept a chassis from a high manufacturer and custom build a body for a very wealthy customer. They were the first streamlined cars and other builders followed their lead. This is one of Tom's favorite cars.

Adding a bit o' color to the line up.  It is another Delahaye.  It is one of the featured marques at this year's Concourse. — Adding a bit o' color to the line up. It is another Delahaye. It is one of the featured marques at this year's Concourse.

A Dusenberg, the biggest, fastest and most expensive car made in the world in the early '30s.  They are so large that the comment, "It's a Doozy" was derived from this car. — A Dusenberg, the biggest, fastest and most expensive car made in the world in the early '30s. They are so large that the comment, "It's a Doozy" was derived from this car.

In line and showing off.  A two passenger Indy 500 race car, another featured class this year. — In line and showing off. A two passenger Indy 500 race car, another featured class this year.

There were crowds along the road where safety permitted people gathering.  These folks waved and smiled. — There were crowds along the road where safety permitted people gathering. These folks waved and smiled.

Deusenberg touring car.  Top of the line! — Deusenberg touring car. Top of the line!

Unknown make but Tom believes it is a Ferrari due to the egg crate grill.

Another Deusenberg touring with the top down.

A 1937 Cord Sedan.  Cord was the first American car with a front wheel drive. — A 1937 Cord Sedan. Cord was the first American car with a front wheel drive.

A Type 57 Bugatti, the most rare and desirable model of the older Bugattis.  The original cost could have been around $10,000 (so much that only kings could afford it. — A Type 57 Bugatti, the most rare and desirable model of the older Bugattis. The original cost could have been around $10,000 (so much that only kings could afford it.

A Deucenburg.  I wonder . . . since it is red if it can go faster? — A Deucenburg. I wonder . . . since it is red if it can go faster?

Tom had to really hustle when they started passing each other coming and going!!

A Delahaye.  This is the standard body from the factor. — A Delahaye. This is the standard body from the factor.

One of Tom's favorite streamlined Delahaye.

Tom is not sure on this one!!  Stumped him! — Tom is not sure on this one!! Stumped him!

This is a car that probably is not part of the Concours d'Elegance!!  It just joined up and drove along with them.  It is a hot rod and does not qualify for this car show.  It is a beautiful example of the Rolling Bones style. — This is a car that probably is not part of the Concours d'Elegance!! It just joined up and drove along with them. It is a hot rod and does not qualify for this car show. It is a beautiful example of the Rolling Bones style.

This is a Delage, a French luxury manufacturer.  Notice the selfie! — This is a Delage, a French luxury manufacturer. Notice the selfie!

The Tour is just one of many events going on all over the Monterey Peninsula. There are auctions at several large resorts. There was a nostalgia race car event at the famed Laguna Seca road race course. Tom needs an assistant to cover all of them!!