The top 10 cars of the 69th Annual Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance

Classic cars. The type of car only a certain special kind of car enthusiast would dare to delve into. They’re either really wealthy to afford sourcing the rare parts a classic car needs or really well connected enough to find said parts.

And not to mention the added effort of rummaging through tons information which ranges back to a hundred years just to find the correct diagram, know-how, and even just a mere parts catalog for a rare classic car.

Heck, some of these cars aren’t even that fast nor comfortable in comparison to how modern cars are so why do these classic car enthusiasts do it?

Well, classic cars can symbolize many things and one of those things that we here at Philkotse.com acknowledges to be very important is that each specific classic model that’s maintained and made to run perfectly up to this day is a perfect snapshot of a specific time within the long history of motoring and we sure do love car history.

We do not claim to be experts on classic cars but on the other hand, there are some classic car events that we really appreciate and one such event is the Annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

2019 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Best in Show

The annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance: What is it?

Held every year on the beautiful Pebble Beach Golf Links in California, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is a very prestigious classic car event where builders and their cars compete. As is turns out, the term “Concours de’ Elegance” itself means a “competition of elegance.”

These classic cars in the competition are judged for their history, their style, and their authenticity. Judges will then select a first, second, and third placer from each class which is arranged by manufacturer, country of origin and the time period where the cars came from.

Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance:  A competition of elegance

Aside from the classic car competition, there are of course other events like a classic car “race”, a classic car 17-mile drive called the “Tour D’Elegance”, an art exhibit, car auctions, and many others.

Aside from those events, the Concours d’Elegance is also mainly a social event where classic car enthusiasts and even manufacturers get to network, socialize, and interact with each other, all regaling with their common interest which is classic cars.

Also, the Concours D’Elegance isn’t just some mere classic car event but rather, it has been since its inception, a charitable event which has raised millions of dollars for a number of ventures like scholarships for children, food assistance for the less privileged, and many others.

For our purposes though, there are really stand-out vehicles from this event that we just couldn’t ignore. So without further ado, here are Philkotse’s top cars from the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

>>> Related post: The Best Classic Cars from Netflix Smash Hit Stranger Things.

1. 1968 Lamborghini Miura P400

Named after Don Eduaro Miura, Ferruccio Lamborghini’s rancher friend, the Miura quite possibly heralded the arrival of the modern supercar. It’s the first mid-engine supercar and at that time was one of the fastest production vehicles at 170 miles per hour with a 0 to 100 km/h time of around six seconds.

As for the example in the Concours, it comes it a tasteful orange color and everything about it is in pristine condition. From the 4.0 liter V12, the body of the car itself, even the under chassis. This is of course due to being restored by Lamborghini’s own restoration department by the name of Polo Storico.

A certified classic, the Miura is quite possibly one of the most important supercars of all time

2. 1922 Ford Kookie Kar Roadster Pick-up

Despite being dominated by fancy, high-end, and very rare classic cars, the organizers and the Concours event also featured hot rods and one such beautiful example was made by none other than Norm Grabowski who’s a very important figure in popularizing hot rods in the US.

Called the “Kookie Kar”, the really quintessential looking hotrod is made out of a Ford Model A pickup truck and powered by a V8 engine. The builder also removed the hood from the stock model A.

One of the most famous hot rods ever made

3. 1972 Toyota Sprinter Trueno

While not as famous as Takumi’s AE86 Trueno, Mike Muniz’s 1972 Sprinter Trueno is quite possibly one of the best Toyota restorations builds we’ve ever seen and some even say that the owner seemingly traveled back to 1972 using a time machine just to get OEM parts.

While during it’s time, the Sprinter Trueno might have been a common sight, to see one in this condition today just blows our minds. Apparently, it also blew the mind of the judges at the Concours as the vintage Toyota actually won first place in the 70’s Japanese Car category.

Here's a picture of that majestic 1972 Sprinter Trueno with Big Mike himself

4. 1985 Ferrari 288 GTO

Owned and maintained by Mr. Bill Ceno, this particular 1985 Ferrari 288 GTO won a number of awards including the Best Car on the Street Award, and first place in the “Ferrari to 1988” category.

There are a few cars as iconic as the Ferrari 288 GTO

>>> Find yourself an affordable Ferrari in our Ferrari cars for sale section.

5. 1935 Duesenberg SJ Gurney-Nutting Speedster

Owned and entered into the Concours by Mr. William Lyon, the 1935 Duesenberg Gurney Nutting is the supercharged version of the equally famous and equally rare Dusenberg Model J. The particular SJ at the Concours is simply stunning and it really shows out how the owner loves the vehicle. It also won the Best in Show award.

As for the car itself, the 1935 SJ Gurney-Nutting Speedster is a massive beast with a 3,619 mm wheelbase. It has a 7 liter DOHC straight-8 and is supercharged. So apart from being large, the car is also known to be quick. And lastly, it’s also really rare as only 36 SJs were ever built.

The very rare SJ variant of the Gurney-Nutting (Model J) made by Dusenberg

6. BMW Vision M Next Concept

Aside from the Concours classic car competition, there were some concept cars that were displayed by a number of manufacturers and one of those is BMW with their really striking Vision M Next concept. Once production will be started in 2023, the said vehicle will be given a 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and a set of electric motors.

So in short, it’s a hybrid. The Vision M Next though is not going to be a run of the mill hybrid as it is expected to dish out around 600 horsepower.

Futuristic concept cars like the Vision M Next were also shown off at the event

>>> Widen your search in our BMW cars listing page.

7. Audi R8 LMS GT2

While looking like a mere R8 albeit, with some extra body kits and a humungous wing, the R8 LMS GT2 which debuted at the Pebble Bech Concours d’Elegance is actually more than that.

It’s actually a monstrously powerful track-oriented vehicle which falls under the Grand Touring racing category equipped with a 640 horsepower V10 naturally aspirated engine.

It is also lighter than the average R8 by around 100 kilograms with a total curb weight of only 1,350 kg. And get this, those interested can actually already reserve for one right now.

Also present are modern supercars like the Audi R8 LMS GT2 in all its finery

>>> Also check: Top 7 cars from the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2019

8. 1931 Cadillac V-16

As a pre-war vehicle, the 1931 Cadillac V-16 is quite old. The example taken to the Concours by McKeel Hagety though is quite a sight to behold as its present condition is quite fresh and pristine. It’s as if it just rolled out from the factory. The said car also won in its respective category.

Back in its heyday, the Cadillac V-16 was one of the most exclusive and most expensive luxury vehicles for the American market. And quite rare too with only 4076 units built. And yes, as the name implies, it actually has a massive 7.4-liter V16 engine.

A V16 engine. Imagine the fuel economy or lack thereof. But still, you'll look good riding in it though

9. 1929 Bentley Speed Six

Bentley actually had a good run during the 69th Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance as they had a significant presence during the said event.

One of those Bentley cars which added to the aforementioned British manufacturer’ s huge presence is a 1929 Bentley Speed Six entered by Joe and Deborah Harding which won the Concours Chairman’s award.

For Bentley, the Speed Six is a very significant model as it is one of their most successful car in terms of racing. Despite its size, the Speed Six is a really quick vehicle thanks to its 6.5-liter inline-6 engine.

The Speed Six is Bentley's foremost racing vehicle back in its heyday

10. 1965 Honda N600

Serving as a contrast to the powerful, high displacement vehicles in the Concours is a pristine example of a 1965 Honda N600 entered by Sandy Edelstein and Scott King which claimed third place in the Japanese 70’s car category.

The Honda N600 is a subcompact vehicle, is air-cooled and only has a two-cylinder engine. Despite that though, the car’s small proportions and rather cute characteristics captured the attention of many of the show’s judges and attendees.

1965 Honda N600 will always have a place in the hearts of vintage car enthusiasts

69th Annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance: Ending Remarks

While classic cars like those entered in the Concours is quite possibly far away from the radar of the typical Filipino motorist, we could not help but appreciate the effort, the workmanship, and the history that these excellent classic cars represent.

And despite having a very small population, there are classic car enthusiasts in the country as such, we hope this article has sparked or rekindled an interest in these vintage cars for you, our readers.

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