CHASING CLASSICS

The Pebble Beach Concours is the pinnacle event in the world of classic cars. We look at the winner and everything else at this year's Monterey Car Week!

- SIDDHRAJ SINGH

It takes a certain calibre of players to reach the hallowed lawns of the Pebble Beach golf course to play the US Open. The very same can be said about the cars that take over the 18th Fairway for one day in late August each year, for the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. There is no denying that the Concours is seen as the world's best and most important. To have your car in the show means it's special, having gone through a rigorous vetting process. The best of the best make it to Pebble.

This year was no different to any, with some truly spectacular cars lining up. Apart from the usual classes, cars made by Swiss coachbuilder Graber were given a special class, as were winners of the 24hr of LeMans, a prelude to its 100th anniversary year.

The Concours started in the traditional manner, with a driving 'Tour d'Elegance', making sure these cars can do what they were built for, with points awarded to those who completed it. But it is Sunday that is the most important. Judges pour over each aspect of the car, having done homework on each one they judge. In the end, three cars from each class are awarded prizes, but only the winner can be eligible for the most coveted award - the 'Best PUSLA 555.78 of Show'. A set of four is chosen as the finalist, but there can only be one winner.