In trying to do some research on cars shown at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, I stumbled on a list of Best of Show winners since the Inauguration of the show. Maybe I'm the last one to know, but It took me back to see the perspective of what might have been "highly esteemed" decades ago. For Example, in 1953 the best of show winner was a brand new Austin Healey 100-4. A $2,995 new car.
In the first five years of the event, new cars were taking home the trophy.
1950
1950 Edwards R-26 Special Sport Roadster
Sterling Edwards
1951
1951 Jaguar Mark VII Saloon
Mrs. Charles H. Hornberg Jr.
1952
1952 Jaguar XK120 Fixed Head Coupé
Glen Sorey
1953
1953 Austin Healey 100 Roadster
Peter Clowes
1954
1952 Jaguar XK120 Fixed Head Coupé
Barclay Cotter
The cars we might associate as having an opportunity to win today: Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster, Duesenberg, Alfa Romeo and Bugattis from the 1930's, Isotta Fraschini, Hispano-Suiza, Rolls Royce Silver Ghosts, Phantom l and ll, etc.....they were all out there, but apparently that wasn't where the focus of the Concours was at that time.
I try to remove my own bias in this, because I love the prewar American grand stuff and designs from Europe in those early years. Perhaps it was the Board that governed the event initially and the Board turned over to some strong personalities who took the event in a different direction. I had never looked before at the early years and what was winning Best of show.
I did find it interesting that the first winner to take things back to the classic era was in 1950 with Phil Hill bringing a 1931 Pierce-Arrow 41 LeBaron Town Cabriolet.
I can understand the politics of an event like this, the off the record conversations, pressure to allow or deny certain individuals and cars..........
I've had a few conversations with guys who regularly go to Pebble Beach and know the spoken ( and unspoken) rules, guidelines and expectations. They've told me they feel things changing again in subtle ways.
What car out there would some of you like to see be considered for Best of Show that maybe doesn't fit the formula or expectation of the last 30 years.......?
Here are some former best of show winners when they had the BOS class back in 2021.
This is the Horch Special Roadster.
@alsancle The trailing effect of those headlight bodies dramatic. I don't remember seeing anything like that before.
@JohnBloom I have an unrestrored picture of it somewhere.
@alsancle Spectacular!
@alsancle Those Horch Special Roadsters have always been among my favorite cars. This one is extra special but the regular ones are awfully snazzy too.
The JB Nethercutt Dupont that got in him to car collecting.
@alsancle There was a whole story in the Classic Car Club magazine on this many years ago. I believe JB bought it off a used car lot in Pasedena.
Cunningham Town Car. When it must have been easier.
Mormon Meteor.
Delage D8-100SS with a nice view of the class.
Isotta
MB 500K Special Roadster
@alsancle Looking at these cars you posted, its crazy that a new Austin Healey 100-4 won....
@JohnBloom Like I said to Joel. Concours were originally designed for new cars.
20 Grand.
540K Special Cab A. Former Melton and Otis Chandler car.
What, no Crosley Hotshots?
It is a mystery to me how someone can go the the new car dealership, pick out a car that anyone with good credit could easily acquire, then achieve honors at ANY car show, let alone a high end concours. It seems to me that should be reserved for rare and exclusive vintage, or otherwise noteworthy automobiles.
@HemiJoel I assume you are talking about the early 50s when the show first started? That only lasted until Phil Hill brought his Aunt's Model 41 Pierce Arrow. So it has been 70 years.
@HemiJoel Joel, I should have also mentioned that pior to WWII the concours circuit in Europe was all new cars. So after WWII they emulated that and then it morphed into what we see today.
@alsancle AJ, I'm talking about any time. I was at a concous about 8 years ago where there was a brand new car in the winners circle. Maybe I misunderstand the premise of these events. Apparently years ago it was to showcase new cars?
@HemiJoel Prewar it was to showcase new cars but have never heard of new cars being featured present day. Wow.
@HemiJoel
I was at a car show and found a PT-Cruiser sitting there.
I thought I was in a Wal-Mart parking lot for a second.
Here is the Phil Hill Model 41 Pierce Arrow bought new by his Aunt and restored by him.
Here is the Pierce with a dork ruining the picture.
@alsancle We need laughing emoji......and a few others......
@JohnBloom John, I've asked for the laugh emoji. What are the other ones?
@alsancle 😂😂😂
@alsancle The three that seem most basic, mimic the AACA:
Like
Laughing
Thanks/Gratitude
That encompasses my typical reaction to other people's posts while keeping in all under the "positive vibe" side of the responses.
@alsancle
Can we get a tinfoil hat emoji for privacy related questions? 😛
@JohnBloom I will run it up the flag pole.
@ShawnG Hillarious! Google Spys everywhere on the site...
@alsancle sure is handsome fellow. Smart too.
For those interested, here is the 2026 Classification and selection information. Good overview of the different categories.
https://www.pebblebeachconcours.net/participants/entrants/
@JohnBloom I might have touched on them in my Pebble Beach Topic for this year:
https://reoroyale.com/forums/5/topics/11506
Mercedes SS
Another view of the BOS class.
Believe it or not Ed takes care of this one.
540K Autobahnkurrier from Keller collection.
Damilar Double Six. They made something like 24 total chassis. Two of these have one over the years.
I think Arturo Keller broke JB's record.
Alfa
2024 Best of Show. I took 200 pictures that week and neve took a picture of it. Shows what I know. Of course, I believe the owner paid around 10,000,000 for it. So certainly expensive and important.
@alsancle It was a lot of money when it sold. More like 11.2 US dollars. Great car, but not necessarily what you think of for a best of show at Pebble Beach.