Sunday, Aug. 17, began as a typically foggy morning on the Monterey Peninsula, and the day proved unseasonably cold. But for Jon and Mary Shirley of Medina, Wash., the day could not have been brighter as they took Best of Show honors with their 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Touring Berlinetta at the 2008 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the annual collector car show and competition held on the 18th fairway of the Pebble Beach Golf Links.
The Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B was a prestigious grand touring car in the 1930s, and the Shirleys’ car is one of only six privately commissioned Berlinettas. Finished in a deep dark blue, the sleek Alfa Romeo coupe is built for speed with louvers in the hood that extend into the cowl, cooling slots in the rear fender skirts, and a powerful supercharged straight-8 engine that also powered Alfa Romeo Grand Prix race cars at the time.
“This car has an intriguing history,” said Jon Shirley. “It won the first race at Watkins Glen in 1948, and though the car’s been driven quite a bit, it’s never been wrecked. I’ve always been an Alfa fan, so winning at Pebble Beach just doesn’t get much better. I can’t wait to take it back on the road real soon.”
Each year the Best of Show award goes to the car from the pool of class winners that receives the most votes from a distinguished panel of automotive judges. This year, from the 26 different classes, the judges chose as the other finalists the 1934 Packard 1108 LeBaron Sport Phaeton owned by the Nethercutt Collection -- Jack & Helen Nethercutt, Sylmar, Calif., and the 1935 Hispano Suiza K6 Brandone Cabriolet owned by Sam & Emily Mann of Englewood, N.J.
“It takes an amazing level of elegance for a closed car like this Alfa to win here,” said Concours Chairwoman Sandra Kasky Button. “It requires the ultimate in style, grace and proportion. This car has all of that. It has exquisite lines, balance and all of the excitement that only an 8C Alfa can provide.”
Early in the morning, the typical Pebble Beach fog was so thick that competitors were constantly wiping moisture off the cars. The fog eventually lifted, leaving a cloudy, cool day for more than 200 competitors from 27 states and 12 countries.
"The Pebble Beach Concours has truly become 'the world's concours,'" said Button. "In addition to enthusiasts, sponsors and media from around the globe, this year we welcomed exotic, historic vehicles from as far away as Hong Kong, Monaco, Germany and Brazil."
Tonight Show host and regular Concours participant Jay Leno brought his 1953 Chrysler “tank car, powered by a 20+-liter tank engine. In addition, Leno helped raffle cars, diamond jewelry and Rolex watches. Total proceeds from raffles, auctions, sponsorships and gate receipts helped contribute more than $1 million to charity for the third consecutive year.
Leno raised $28,000 during the awards presentation by auctioning VIP tickets to "The Tonight Show," along with a personally guided tour of his garage, which houses an extensive car collection.
“The Pebble Beach Concours happens every year on the third Sunday in August, blending automotive design, craftsmanship and history,” said Button. “And the best news of all, with the $1 million-plus we raised for our charities this year, the Pebble Beach Concours has now contributed well over $11 million during the event’s history.”
Most Elegant Awards
The Best of Show trophy at Pebble Beach is the prize most coveted by the heavy hitters of the car collecting hobby. Second only to Best of Show are the Elegance Awards, presented to the most elegant car in four different categories.
The Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B was a prestigious grand touring car in the 1930s, and the Shirleys’ car is one of only six privately commissioned Berlinettas. Finished in a deep dark blue, the sleek Alfa Romeo coupe is built for speed with louvers in the hood that extend into the cowl, cooling slots in the rear fender skirts, and a powerful supercharged straight-8 engine that also powered Alfa Romeo Grand Prix race cars at the time.
“This car has an intriguing history,” said Jon Shirley. “It won the first race at Watkins Glen in 1948, and though the car’s been driven quite a bit, it’s never been wrecked. I’ve always been an Alfa fan, so winning at Pebble Beach just doesn’t get much better. I can’t wait to take it back on the road real soon.”
Each year the Best of Show award goes to the car from the pool of class winners that receives the most votes from a distinguished panel of automotive judges. This year, from the 26 different classes, the judges chose as the other finalists the 1934 Packard 1108 LeBaron Sport Phaeton owned by the Nethercutt Collection -- Jack & Helen Nethercutt, Sylmar, Calif., and the 1935 Hispano Suiza K6 Brandone Cabriolet owned by Sam & Emily Mann of Englewood, N.J.
“It takes an amazing level of elegance for a closed car like this Alfa to win here,” said Concours Chairwoman Sandra Kasky Button. “It requires the ultimate in style, grace and proportion. This car has all of that. It has exquisite lines, balance and all of the excitement that only an 8C Alfa can provide.”
Early in the morning, the typical Pebble Beach fog was so thick that competitors were constantly wiping moisture off the cars. The fog eventually lifted, leaving a cloudy, cool day for more than 200 competitors from 27 states and 12 countries.
"The Pebble Beach Concours has truly become 'the world's concours,'" said Button. "In addition to enthusiasts, sponsors and media from around the globe, this year we welcomed exotic, historic vehicles from as far away as Hong Kong, Monaco, Germany and Brazil."
Tonight Show host and regular Concours participant Jay Leno brought his 1953 Chrysler “tank car, powered by a 20+-liter tank engine. In addition, Leno helped raffle cars, diamond jewelry and Rolex watches. Total proceeds from raffles, auctions, sponsorships and gate receipts helped contribute more than $1 million to charity for the third consecutive year.
Leno raised $28,000 during the awards presentation by auctioning VIP tickets to "The Tonight Show," along with a personally guided tour of his garage, which houses an extensive car collection.
“The Pebble Beach Concours happens every year on the third Sunday in August, blending automotive design, craftsmanship and history,” said Button. “And the best news of all, with the $1 million-plus we raised for our charities this year, the Pebble Beach Concours has now contributed well over $11 million during the event’s history.”
Most Elegant Awards
The Best of Show trophy at Pebble Beach is the prize most coveted by the heavy hitters of the car collecting hobby. Second only to Best of Show are the Elegance Awards, presented to the most elegant car in four different categories.
The 1934 Packard 1108 LeBaron Sport Phaeton owned by the Nethercutt Collection -- Jack & Helen Nethercutt, Sylmar, Calif., was recognized as the most elegant open-top car.
The J.B. and Dorothy Nethercutt Most Elegant Closed Car trophy went to the Best of Show winner, the 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Touring Berlinetta owned by Jon & Mary Shirley of Medina, Wash.
A 1949 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500SS Pinin Farina Cabriolet, owned by Larry Klein of Santa Rosa, Calif., earned the Gwenn Graham Most Elegant Convertible Award.
The Strother MacMinn Most Elegant Sports Car Trophy was bestowed upon a 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB Scaglietti Spyder California.
The 59th Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance will be held on Aug.16, 2009, with Bentley and Bugatti designated as the official marques.
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