Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
 |
|
| Genre | Concours d'Elegance |
| Frequency | Annual, held in August |
| Location(s) | Pebble Beach Golf Links Pebble Beach, California, U.S. |
| Country | United States |
| Inaugurated | August 1950 |
| Most recent | August 18, 2024 |
| Attendance | 15,000 |
The Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance is a super fancy car show that happens every year. It takes place at the Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, California. Many people think it's the most important car show in the whole world!
This event is the grand finale of Monterey Car Week, which happens every August. A Concours d'Elegance (that's French for "competition of elegance") is where amazing old cars are shown off. Judges look at how real they are, how well they work, their history, and their style.
Cars are put into different groups, like by their type, brand, or when they were made. Judges pick first, second, and third place winners for each group. The best car of all gets the "Best of Show" award. This includes a special trophy and a fancy Rolex watch. About 15,000 people come to watch this exciting event.
Many famous luxury and supercar brands use this show to reveal their newest models. They also show off their cool future concept cars. Brands like Aston Martin, Bentley, Bugatti, Ferrari, Koenigsegg, Lamborghini, McLaren, and Rolls-Royce have all been there.
The 72nd Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance happened on August 20, 2023.
Contents
History of the Car Show
The Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance started way back in 1950. It began as a side event to the Pebble Beach Road Race, a car race held on public roads. The first two shows in 1950 and 1951 were held near a private club.
In 1952, the show moved to the 18th green of the Pebble Beach Golf Links. This spot is right by the Pacific Ocean, with amazing views of Carmel Bay. The show has happened every year since 1950, except for one year in 1960. In 1963 and 1965, heavy rain made the usual spot too muddy. So, the cars were shown at the old race track's start line instead.
In 2001, a new group of cars was added called "preservation cars." These cars are special because they show how time has passed. They include cars found in old barns, often called "barn finds."
In 2006, 175 cars were displayed on the golf course. These cars came from 27 states and 13 different countries. The show calls itself the "top concours in the world." It features both old cars and the newest concept car designs.
The cars at the 2006 event were worth an estimated $200 million! The number of cars was reduced that year to 175 from 227 in 2005. This change was made so judges had more time to look at each car carefully.
In 2009, classic motorcycles were included for the first time. The show won an award in 2011 for being the "Motoring Event of the Year." The 2020 event was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. So, the 70th show was moved to 2021.
Each year, the Pebble Beach Concours celebrates a special car brand, a car body builder, or a type of car. While early car shows focused on new cars, today's Concours events mostly show off classic and vintage collector cars.
How Cars Compete
.jpg)
Car owners who want to enter their cars must send in an application. Only the best cars are chosen to be in the show. Many collectors spend years and lots of money buying and fixing up a car, hoping it will be picked.
Once a car has been in the Concours, it usually can't be entered again for ten years. There are a few exceptions, though. If the car gets a new owner, or if it's restored again, it might be allowed back. Also, if the show is featuring a rare car brand, they might invite cars that have been there before. This helps make sure there are enough examples of that brand.
Many of the cars in the competition are worth hundreds of thousands, or even millions, of dollars. Because of these amazing cars and the beautiful location, the Pebble Beach Concours is known as the best car show in the world. It's the main event of over 50 other car-related activities that happen during the week. These include vintage car races at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion and classic car auctions.
Awards at the Show
Best of Show Award
The Best of Show award is the top prize given at the Concours. It goes to the overall winner, chosen from the three highest-scoring cars. Winning this award is considered the biggest honor at any car show worldwide.
A person named J.B. Nethercutt has won the Best of Show award more than anyone else, with 6 wins. The car brands Bugatti and Mercedes-Benz are tied for the most wins, with 10 each.
Elegance Awards
These awards celebrate the most elegant cars in different styles:
- J.B. & Dorothy Nethercutt Most Elegant Closed Car
- Gwenn Graham Most Elegant Convertible
- Jules Heumann Most Elegant Open Car
- Strother MacMinn Most Elegant Sports Car
Other Special Awards
Gran Turismo Award
Since 2008, Kazunori Yamauchi, who created the Gran Turismo video game series, has given out a special award. The Gran Turismo Award goes to a car that is truly outstanding. This could be because it's very rare, perfectly restored, or just looks amazing. The owners of the winning car might even get their car featured in the Gran Turismo video game!
In 2021, the Gran Turismo Award went to a 1969 Ferrari 512 S Berlinetta.
The French Cup
This award started in the 1980s. It is given to the most important car that was made in France. In 2021, The French Cup went to a 1937 Delahaye 135 M Chapron Cabriolet.
New Concept Cars
.jpg)
Many famous luxury and supercar brands use this event like a big auto show. They officially show off their brand new models and amazing future concept cars. Many car makers even have their own special display buildings during the event.
Some of the brands that have shown cars here include Aston Martin, Acura, Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Cadillac, Ferrari, Ford, Lamborghini, McLaren, Porsche, and Rolls-Royce.
For example, the Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport was first shown at the Pebble Beach Concours in 2008.
Pebble Beach Car Auctions
The event also hosts the Pebble Beach Auctions. This is a huge auto auction where very expensive cars are sold, often for millions of dollars. In 2022 alone, cars sold at these auctions brought in a total of $469 million!
Helping Charities
The money raised by the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance helps many good causes. It has supported the United Way of Monterey County and the Pebble Beach Company Foundation for 56 years. It also helps other local and national groups.
In 2016, the event raised over $1.75 million. Over the years, the Concours has given more than $23 million to charities.
See also
In Spanish: Concurso Pebble Beach para niños
