A Look Back at the 2014 Concours D’Elegance

The Pebble Beach Concours D’Elegance has been the annual showcase of the world’s finest vintage cars since 1950. On August 16, 2015, the event will take place again for the 65th time. I was introduced to this event in 1979 by the vintage car connoisseur Arturo Keller through real estate businesses we did; since then, I have been going back year after year.

Without a doubt, the cars are always fabulous and stunning. In recent years, new cars have joined the exhibitions besides the vintage cars, taking the opportunity to shine when car collectors and buyers from around the world gather in Monterey.

I’ve also noticed lately that the competition is not only about the vintage cars during Sunday’s Concours, but also the hospitality events throughout the week as the major car makers vie to out-do each other by hosting lavish events at luxurious facilities with VIP guests.

In 2014, I attended events from McLaren’s luxurious tent to the Bentley villa on the Pebble Beach Golf Links, to the Rolls-Royce villa overlooking the picturesque 18th hole where the Concours takes place, to the magnificent Monterey hilltop estate where Aston Martin hosted its elaborate evening party that lasted well past midnight.

At the Rolls-Royce villa, the brand’s CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös proudly introduced the Phantom Drophead Coupe Waterspeed Collection, a limited edition with only 35 created. Bentley’s engineer Dirk Van Braeckel, who designed the Continental GT, flew in from Germany to show off the GT at the Bentley villa. Aston Martin showcased Formula One racer Kevin Buckler’s Aston Martin GT4, and James Hunt’s McLaren Formula One race car was displayed in the McLaren VIP tent. At Quail Lodge, two days of events included The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, luncheons and a car auction on the scenic grounds.

My highlights of last year’s photos are here to refresh the excitement and fun of the Pebble Beach Concours events as you make your plans to attend the 2015 edition. I’ll see you there!