Pebble Beach 2018: Top 5 stars of the Concours De-Elegance

Concours De Elegance at the Pebble Beach in Monterey, California is one of the most prestigious vintage car shows across the world. The show goes through the painstaking process of shortlisting from hundreds of entries from across the world to make sure that the rarest of the rare and finest of the fine gems of the automotive world come out of hibernation for a bright sunny day.

Winning the Concours is an ode to the pedigree of the car and the owner who has to have had it restored to as close to the original as possible. And as a proud Indian, we have had four of our cars winning trophies after traveling all the way to the US. So here is the list of the top five stars at the Pebble Beach.

1. 1937 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Touring Berlinetta

This unique 8C was built for the Milan Auto Show in 1937 and was then also showcased at Berlin in 1938. In its current state, the Alfa has been restored to its 1938 specifications when it was being done up in the 90s.

2. 1937 Cadillac Series 90 Hartmann Cabriolet

This V16 Cadillac was brought to Switzerland as a bare chassis to be commissioned for an exquisite coach by then millionaire Philippe Barraud. He chose Willy Hartmann, the Swiss coachbuilder and under the supervision of the Barraud, the 22-feet piece of art was sculpted with design inspiration from Figoni et Falaschi, the renowned French coach-builder.

3. 1927 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Windovers

In the honour of the Maharajas of India who were known to commission the most exquisite and unique cars for themselves, the Concours has a Raj category. Not surprisingly, the winner is Maharaja Gaj Singh of Jodhpur and his 1935 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental Gurney Nutting Streamline Coupe, a custom-built limousine that is a part of his personal collection.

4. 1930 Stutz M LeBaron 4-passenger Speedster

This is the only surviving Stutz in India and was ordered new by Maharaja Ranjitsinhji of the princely state of Baria in Gujarat. It is now owned by one of the most renowned vintage car collections in India put together by Diljeet Titus.

5. 1936 Alvis Speed 25 Vanden Plas Tourer

Alvis cars are rare and they become extravagant when a Maharaja orders one. So this one was ordered from an Alvis dealer in the UK back in 1936 and was built by legendary Belgian coach-builder Vanden Plas. Speak about expensive tastes. Now, this ex-Mayurbhanj car is a part of Nitin Dossa’s collection and has won accolades at the Pebble Beach.