Every August, the 18th fairway at Pebble Beach transforms into a global stage for automotive excellence—a living museum where history, design, and craftsmanship intersect in the rarest and most spectacular of ways. The Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance is not just a car show. It is the car show—the ultimate celebration of pre-war luxury, post-war design innovation, and collector passion, distilled into one unforgettable Best of Show award.
Since its modest beginnings in 1950, the Pebble Beach Concours has evolved into the apex of the concours world, attracting the finest restorations and rarest survivors from across the globe. And while hundreds of vehicles appear each year, only one drives away with the coveted top honor: Best of Show.
This post is a look back—decade by decade—at some of the most memorable winners to ever grace Pebble Beach's manicured green stage.
The 1950s: Racing Spirit and Early Elegance
When the inaugural Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance debuted in 1950, it was little more than a local companion event to a sports car road race. The first Best of Show went to the 1950 Edwards R-26 Special Sport Roadster, a California-built, one-off car created by Sterling Edwards himself. It was sporty, sleek, and deeply personal—a sign that Pebble Beach would always reward authenticity and story as much as beauty.
In those early years, winners were often new or nearly-new production cars. Jaguar, Austin-Healey, and Aston Martin made strong showings. But by mid-decade, the focus began to shift. In 1955, a 1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Brewster Riviera Town Brougham took Best of Show—an unmistakable signal that historic coachbuilt luxury was about to take center stage.
The 1960s and 1970s: Coachbuilt Royalty Ascends
By the 1960s, Pebble Beach had firmly established itself as a show for the classics. Gone were the showroom darlings of the prior decade, replaced by grand pre-war machines built by the likes of Bugatti, Duesenberg, Delage, and Hispano-Suiza. The concours had found its voice: a reverent ode to the era when automobiles were not just modes of transport, but moving sculptures designed and constructed for kings, captains of industry, and Hollywood royalty.
Throughout the '60s and '70s, American powerhouses like Duesenberg and Packard consistently challenged their European counterparts. Yet it was Bugatti—particularly the Type 57 and Type 41 Royale—that began to cement its place in Pebble Beach lore.
Collectors like William F. Harrah and J.B. Nethercutt (whose name remains nearly synonymous with concours perfection) began setting new standards for restoration quality. Pebble Beach wasn't just about showing a car—it was about honoring a car's past by painstakingly reviving it to its peak glory.
The 1980s and 1990s: European Domination, American Legacy
During the 1980s and 1990s, the Pebble Beach podium became almost a game of musical chairs among marques like Mercedes-Benz, Bugatti, and Delahaye. The Mercedes-Benz 540K, with its sweeping fenders and Art Deco elegance, was particularly beloved by judges—and rightly so. These vehicles, often brought to life through multi-year restoration projects, represent the highest echelon of automotive craftsmanship.
This was also the era of the remarkable American comeback. The legendary "Mormon Meteor" Duesenberg SJ Speedster—originally built for land speed records—was meticulously restored and returned to its rightful place in history. In 2007, it captured Best of Show, reasserting America's claim on the early 20th-century luxury stage.
The 1990s also saw an increase in private collectors entering the arena, including Ralph Lauren, whose black-on-black Mercedes-Benz SSK won Best of Show in 1993. Jon Shirley, former Microsoft president and noted car collector, brought forward cars like the 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B to resounding success.
The 2000s: Perfection Reimagined
As the new millennium arrived, Pebble Beach expanded its reach, drawing in vehicles from previously underrepresented regions and eras. Yet the favorites remained familiar: pre-war Bugattis, Duesenbergs, Mercedes-Benz 540Ks, and exotic one-offs from coachbuilders like Figoni et Falaschi and Saoutchik.
Every Best of Show winner during this decade seemed to raise the bar further—whether it was in the depth of the restoration, the provenance of the vehicle, or the boldness of its original design. Cars weren't just beautiful—they were museum-grade masterpieces, often more pristine than when they first left the factory.
The 2010s and Beyond: Originality Joins the Spotlight
Over the past 15 years, the conversation around concours excellence has evolved. While traditional restorations still dominate the landscape, the judging criteria have expanded to recognize preservation, provenance, and historical significance.The 2014 Best of Show winner—a one-off 1954 Ferrari 375 MM Scaglietti Coupe once commissioned by Italian film director Roberto Rossellini—marked a notable departure from the norm. It was sleek, post-war, and unmistakably Italian, with a cinematic backstory to match.
In 2021, the 1938 Mercedes-Benz 540K Autobahn Kurier won top honors, adding to Mercedes-Benz's growing collection of Pebble Beach victories. The following year, a 1932 Duesenberg J Figoni Sports Torpedo claimed the title, underscoring that American classics still hold a revered place on this international stage.
And in 2024, something extraordinary happened.
For the first time in the event's 70-plus-year history, a preservation-class car—a 1934 Bugatti Type 59 Sports—won Best of Show. Still wearing its original blue paint, aged leather, and decades-old patina, the Bugatti wasn't a restoration. It was a time capsule. And that subtle shift in judging philosophy—favoring originality as much as restoration, not unlike much of the real estate along the Monterey Coastline—may mark a new era in concours thinking.
What Makes a Winner?
While trends ebb and flow, a few things remain constant at Pebble Beach:
- Pre-war dominance: Nearly two-thirds of Best of Show winners hail from the 1930s, the golden age of coachbuilt luxury.
- Brand prestige: Mercedes-Benz, Bugatti, Duesenberg, and Alfa Romeo lead the field with multiple wins.
- Collector devotion: Names like Nethercutt, Keller, and Shirley are as much a part of the concours story as the cars themselves.
- Evolving standards: From concours-perfect restorations to irreplaceable preservation gems, the bar continues to shift—but never lowers.
Ready to Explore More of Pebble Beach and Carmel Real Estate
More than a simple car show, Pebble Beach's world-renowned Concours d'Elegance is the pinnacle of automotive excellence. It's also a peerless, showcase event on Pebble Beach's vibrant social calendar, and a celebration of the lifestyle that awaits anyone who calls the Monterey Peninsula home.
For visitors in attendance, considering a move, or locals seeking to upgrade their current Monterey Peninsula lifestyle, contact Katy Harrison today to begin your real estate journey.
