1937 Horch 853 Voll & Ruhrbeck Sport Cabriolet, Best Of Show.
Copyright 2009 by Ron Kimball Studios.
On August 16, many of the world's finest classics and sports cars from 30 states and 19 countries blanketed the 18th fairway of one of the finest and most beautiful golf courses in the world: Pebble Beach, CA. for the 59th Concours d'Elegance. At the end of the day, a 1937 Horch 853 Voll & Ruhrbeck Sport Cabriolet owned by Robert M. Lee of Sparks, Nev., was named "Best of Show."
In addition to owning an incredible collection of vintage automobiles, Robert M. Lee is a legendary explorer and the founder of Hunting World, purveyor of premium safari-themed clothing and accessories. In 1960 he wrote, SAFARI TODAY, the first modern safari guide.
1937 Horch 853 Voll & Ruhrbeck Sport Cabriolet, Best Of Show.
Copyright 2009 by Ron Kimball Studios.
"This Horch is an incredibly beautiful open car with stunning styling," said Concours Chairman Sandra Button. "It's very Teutonic, but also almost French. It's fantastic."
In 1935, the Horch Company, founded by August Horch in 1899, introduced a new model with a 5-liter, straight-eight engine called the Horch 850. The shorter wheelbase 853 model, which won Best of Show, was very popular among Germany's rich and famous. The last Horch was built in 1958.
2011 Bentley Mulsanne.
Copyright 2009 by Ron Kimball Studios.
Bentley, a featured marque at the 2009 Concours, had the largest presence on the show field. The carmaker used the opportunity for the world debut of the of the 2011 Mulsanne. The Concours also celebrated the centennials of Bugatti, Audi and Morgan, and highlighted the styling of Zagato. Motorcycles were displayed for the first time in a class of British bikes built through 1959. In all, more than 200 cars and motorcycles were present, encompassing more than 100 years of the automobile.
This year the Concours also hosted some of the rarest, most iconic Ferraris in the history of the marque: 10 1949 166 MM (Mille Miglia) Touring Barchettas and the four surviving 250 TR (Testa Rossa) 59 racecars. In 1949, Touring-bodied, V12-engined 166 MM Ferraris won at LeMans and in the Mille Miglia and have often been credited for launching both Ferrari's styling and racing mystiques.
Ferrari 166 MM, Pebble Beach Tour
Photo by Martyn L. Schorr. All rights reserved.
Enzo Ferrari debuted the 1959 V12-engined Testa Rossa in the United States at Sebring and at the 24-hour race at LeMans, taking wins at both races! Only five were built and the four survivors were on the green. Purpose-built for racing, the 1959 TR has a tube chassis, a Fantuzzi-built body designed
by Pinin Farina and is lower, lighter and more powerful than previous TRs.
The first Pebble Beach Concours was in 1950 and it has grown to become the world's premier celebration of the automobile. Proceeds from raffles, auctions, sponsorships and gate receipts this year helped contribute more than $1 million to charity for the fourth consecutive year.
Morgan celebrates Centennial at Carmel Mission.
Copyright 2009 by Ron Kimball Studios.
Photos used by permission of the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and Martyn L. Schorr. All rights reserved. For more information visit www.pebblebeachconcours.net