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Pebble Beach Concours

Pebble Beach 2003 Overview
By Andrew Gardner / All Photos L.Marvin
Oct 6, 2003, 23:14 PST

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email the author: akgardner@motorsportscenter.com

It seems that, from my experience, there are two possibilities for the weather at Pebble Beach on the day of the annual Concours d'Elegance: it is foggy and somewhat cold, or it is sunny and hot. And, well, I suppose there is also the sub-option of having a little bit of both, as the clouds perhaps break open to let in sunshine for part of the day. For August 17, 2003, it happened to be the former choice (while it was bright and sunny for that Sunday’s events at the Monterey Historic races, just a few miles East…).

In contrast, there is only one option for the state of the automobiles on display, a state which may be categorized between magnificence and perfection. Every car on the lawn, whether it is an exquisitely elegant Talbot Lago or a beautifully aerodynamic 1950s Ferrari, is an absolute masterpiece, a work of art. Each was created with lovely lines and furnished with an interior befitting its purpose. But that was just the beginning.

Then the cars were bought and used and underwent degradation characteristic of anything mechanical that is put to work. Those sensuous lines and curves were still there, but the luster of the original paint had gone, the smoothness of the seats interrupted by roughness from occupants’ use, the carpets ruffled, and the wheels tarnished. That’s when the magic starts.

This year saw a bumper crop of rare and excellent Maserati's

Maserati 16 cylinder...Held "Monza" lap record for 27 years!

A loving owner, whether a descendant of the original owner or a passionate enthusiast who had sought after this particular beauty, took that worn machine into their loving hands and breathed new life into it. A master restorer was put to work removing all the internal rust, rebuilding the worn engines, removing bent crankshafts and charred pistons, replacing worn differential gears and installing brand-new handcrafted parts. Bodywork was painstakingly repaired or even largely rebuilt from scratch. The tired interior was stripped, only to be tenderly rejuvenated - with all the finest appointments – to its original state. The naked body was then carefully painted and the entire vehicle polished from the bottom tips of the wheel spokes to the very top of the metal window frame.

Crowds interacting and reacting to a stunning Bugatti

One of the most breath taking Bugatti's at this years show.

And behold, there lies a radiant beauty, ready to be displayed in all its glory.

That is a wonderful story; the amount of sweat and time invested in that automobile is amazing. What is astonishing is that that happens to be the story of every car on the 18^th green of the Pebble Beach golf course come mid-August. Well over a hundred cars line that stretch of grass next to the cliffs, above the Carmel Bay, basking in sunshine or lying quietly and properly amidst mellow fog, creating perhaps the most stunning view known to (automotive-enthusiast-) mankind.

As one walks by any of those sensuous automobiles, one may be in danger of wanting to take one home, and to hear The King start to coo “only fools rush in; but I can’t help, falling in love with you…” Ok so maybe that sounds a bit too much like some cheesy car commercial. But it is a much more valid picture here than on any modern car show-room floor.

Then there is the incomprehensible fact that there are judges who can pick out class, and even best of show, winners. There are, though it may seem illogical to the casual viewer, even levels of near-perfection in these fine motorcars. The levels of excellence in the product of long hours of restoration are likely parallels to the levels of commitment of the owners to sleepless weeks of automotive re-creation (that’s rebuilding, not playtime).

Also we must acknowledge the presence of the master crafters whose hobby, profession and passion it is to restore these automobiles. The result of their gifts and labors on the lawn makes one wonder if the cars even looked this good in their original condition. And it is also a testament to those professional restorers how the automobiles fare between the sharp-eyed judges’ pencils and clipboards.

The "Best of Show" winner waiting to be crowned...But which one is it??

So this year a Bugatti happened to be the finest automobile on the lawn, according to the 2003 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance honorary judges, happened to be a 1953 Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic. A superb automobile indeed, and all the more valuable because it is one of only three ever made – and only two survive. Such a rare automobile is indeed worthy of extra praise amongst even such an elite crowd – just don’t forget that splendor which does characterize the rest of the concours.

It was a magnificent day, as always. The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is one of the original events of automotive celebration on the Monterey Peninsula, following the original Pebble Beach road races. The concours still exists, and even thrives more than ever before, because it always conducted with great class and poise. The stunning, quiet location between the softly colored Lodge at Pebble Beach and the beautiful undulating ocean set the stage. The event coordinators set the tone. And the cars make the event. Of all the automotive events held on the Monterey Peninsula, it is the only one worthy of such a location, and it brings a wonderful end to a hectic and overwhelming weekend.

Another Bugatti casts it's spell on the crowd of all ages.

Although attendance has exploded in the last decade, the surround still manages to be quiet, and the scenery always beautiful. The super-liminal massiveness of the crowd can be allowed to pass over ones had if you duck just slightly and focus in on the beauty of the cars and the bay. And if you can do that, you will always find yourself warm. The radiative heat transfer coefficient of these works of art on wheels is enormous – oops, I mean these prized automobiles release great warmth to those who can really take notice despite all that is around them. No matter what is in the sky, all one needs to smile, be content and love the day and the automobile is right in front of your eyes.

Anybody who wants to enter a car next year: I hope you started your restoration two years ago, because that seems to be what it takes to stand next to the big boys.

Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, I’ll see you next year. Don’t change a thing.

Look for the rest of our coverage of the annual automotive celebration on the Monterey Peninsula here at http://www.motorsportscenter.com/!

Enjoy the rest of the photos!!

Again a owners passion has returned this Maserati to it's prime!