Elegance on Wheels: A Look Back at Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Winners

Every August, the quiet luxury of the Monterey Peninsula is revved up by the unmistakable hum of vintage engines and the scent of polished leather. Welcome to the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, a world-famous car show that transforms the 18th fairway of the Pebble Beach Golf Links into a runway of rolling art.

As real estate professionals in Carmel, CA, we love celebrating the timeless elegance that makes our community shine—and nothing captures that better than the Concours.

So buckle up: we're taking a drive down memory lane to spotlight some of the most iconic past winners of this legendary event.

What Is the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance?

If you’re new to the area (or just exploring Carmel, Pebble Beach, or Monterey), here’s a quick primer: The Concours d’Elegance is the crown jewel of Monterey Car Week. It’s an invitation-only event that features rare, vintage, and meticulously restored automobiles. These vehicles aren’t just shown—they’re judged on authenticity, function, history, and style.

Why We Love Living Near Pebble Beach and Monterey

Living in Carmel or Pebble Beach means having a front-row seat to world-class events like the Concours d’Elegance—not to mention stunning ocean views, award-winning restaurants, and the unbeatable charm of our coastal towns. Whether you’re a car enthusiast, a golf lover, or simply appreciate the finer things in life, the Monterey Peninsula offers a lifestyle that’s hard to match.

And if you're thinking of making Carmel or Pebble Beach your permanent starting line, our team would love to help you find your dream home—whether it’s a coastal cottage, a luxury estate, or something in between.

Fun Observations

Most Wins by Brand: Mercedes-Benz, Duesenberg, and Rolls-Royce dominate the Best of Show list.

Coachbuilders Like Figoni & Falaschi and Saoutchik appear frequently, known for their flamboyant, swooping designs.

The 1930s Era dominates the winners’ circle—especially pre-WWII European and American luxury cars.

Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance – Past 10 Best of Show Winners (2014–2024)

2024: 1934 Bugatti Type 59 Sports

• Owner: Fritz Burkard of The Pearl Collection
• Notable Facts:
• This is the first time in the event's history that a preservation car has won the prestigious award. 

2023: 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster

• Owner: Jim Patterson (United States)
• Notable Facts:
• Built by Mercedes-Benz’s in-house coachbuilder, Sindelfingen, it’s considered the pinnacle of German pre-war engineering and design.
• Only a handful of these 540K Special Roadsters were produced.
• This particular example boasts flawless restoration and was celebrated for its dramatic swooping fenders and extended tail.

2022: 1932 Duesenberg J Figoni Sports Torpedo

• Owner: Lee R. Anderson Sr. (United States)
• Notable Facts:
• Yes, this car actually won again in 2024 with a different owner—a rare feat!
• The Duesenberg J was America’s answer to Europe’s luxury marques, famously advertised with the line, “It’s a Duesy.”
• The chassis was paired with the European body from Figoni, giving it a rare dual heritage.

2021: 1938 Mercedes-Benz 540K Autobahn Kurier

• Owner: The Keller Collection at The Pyramids (California)
• Notable Facts:
• Designed for the German autobahn, this car was built to cruise at high speeds with grace and power.
• One of only two ever built, and the only surviving example.
• Nicknamed the “Autobahn Kurier” (German for “Autobahn Courier”) for its groundbreaking aerodynamic design.

2020: Event Cancelled due to COVID-19

• Notable Facts:
• First time in Concours history (since 1950) that the event was cancelled.
• Many collectors used the year to further restore their cars for future shows.

2019: 1931 Bentley 8 Litre Gurney Nutting Sports Tourer

• Owner: The Hon. Sir Michael Kadoorie (Hong Kong)
• Notable Facts:
• The 8 Litre was W.O. Bentley’s final creation before the company’s financial troubles.
• Known for being the fastest and most luxurious Bentley of its time.
• This example was bodied by Gurney Nutting, featuring flowing lines and British coachbuilding at its finest.

2018: 1937 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Touring Berlinetta

• Owner: David & Ginny Sydorick (United States)
• Notable Facts:
• Often regarded as one of the most beautiful cars ever built.
• Designed by Carrozzeria Touring with their patented Superleggera (super lightweight) construction.
• The 8C was originally a racing car, but this version was adapted for the road—making it both a speed demon and a showstopper.

2017: 1929 Mercedes-Benz S Barker Tourer

• Owner: Bruce McCaw (United States)
• Notable Facts:
• Built on the legendary “S” (Super Sport) chassis, this car was originally delivered to the Maharaja of Kashmir.
• The body was made by Barker, a British coachbuilder known for building for Rolls-Royce.
• A brilliant blend of German performance and British elegance.

2016: 1936 Lancia Astura Pinin Farina Cabriolet

• Owner: Richard Mattei (United States)
• Notable Facts:
• This rare Italian gem is the result of a collaboration between Lancia, known for engineering excellence, and Pinin Farina, Italy’s premier coachbuilder.
• Features flowing pre-war Italian styling and a V8 engine—a rarity at the time.
• Only a handful were made with this exact body style.

2015: 1924 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A F. Ramseier & Cie Cabriolet

• Owner: Jim Patterson (United States)
• Notable Facts:
• Isotta Fraschini was an Italian luxury carmaker that competed with Rolls-Royce and Duesenberg.
• This elegant cabriolet was custom-bodied in Switzerland by F. Ramseier & Cie.
• The Tipo 8A was famous for its massive 8-cylinder engine and unmatched luxury—favored by royalty and Hollywood stars.

What These Cars Have in Common

• Unparalleled Rarity: Many of these are 1-of-1 or among a handful ever made.
• Coachbuilt Bodies: Most winners feature bodies by renowned builders like Figoni & Falaschi, Touring, Pinin Farina, or Gurney Nutting.
• Meticulous Restoration: Owners often spend years (and millions) restoring these cars to concours-quality.
• Global Reach: Winners hail from across the world, including Italy, Germany, the UK, and the U.S.—reflecting the international prestige of Pebble Beach.

Photo by Ryan De Hamer on Unsplash