Pebble Beach 2011 - 1952 Lancia Aurelia PF200

A Lancia Aurelia B-52 chassis powered by a 2-liter V6 provides the foundation for this concept built by Pininfarina for the 1952 Turin Motor Show. The jet engine theme on the front end is definitively my favorite aspect of this design.

Pebble Beach 2011 - 1950 Talbot-Lago T-26 By Saoutchik

I see a little bit of Jaguar XK in this one...

Pebble Beach 2011 - 1932 Stutz LeBaron Bearcat

This elegant Torpedo Speedster with a body by LeBaron was captured at the 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. It is one of only four cars built on the DV-32 chassis. I particularly like the unusual low cut doors which allow a bit more elbow room. Something that tend to be in short supply on some roadsters of this era.

Just Two Wheels - 1957 Aermacchi Chimera

Sporting dramatic Jet-Age styling by car stylist Count Mario Revelli, this Aermacchi Chimera was my favorite bike at the 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

Stirling Moss and the Mercedes Benz 300 SLR

Stirling Moss and the famous "722" Mercedes 300 SLR reunited at the 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance earlier this year. It was truly a unique opportunity for me to have seen the man and his machine...

UPDATE 12/8/11: I recently put together a diecast model of this car. Photos of this model are available on a separate post.

Pebble Beach 2011 - 1949 Porsche 356 Gmund Coupe

This 356/2 Coupe is the 45th Porsche built. The first 52 Porsche’s were hammered out over wooden bucks by four employees in the little saw mill in Gmünd, Austria. It is powered by an 1100 cc, 40 hp air-cooled engine, with two Solex carburetors. This car won 1st place on the Postwar Sports Closed class this year. This car was painstakingly restored by Road Scholars for Hans-Peter Porsche. It was truly special to see a real Gmünd coupe...

Pebble Beach 2011 - 1913 Stutz Bearcat Series B

In 1913 Stutz incorporated a 6 cylinder engine into their lineup. This new engine displacing 426 cubic inches was built by Wisconsin Motor Manufacturing Company. Imaging yourself pushing this thing to it's limits...

Spotted - 1941 Chrysler Newport Dual Cowl Phaeton

This car is one of only five Newport Phaetons built, one of only two built with the retracting headlamps, and one of the first concept cars built by Chrysler. It was great to see it up close this past summer. More about the story of the Newports at the Ridestory site.

A Day at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance

If you love cars shows you know that the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance IS the one to attend at least once in a lifetime. This most prestigious of events is not as much about the cars, but more about a lifestyle that most people only dream about. It is the car culture taken to a whole other level. If you have been following the blog lately you have seen some of the fine works of rolling art that caught my attention, this post however is about the experience of being there and what a fine day it was!

Through these walls is classic car heaven... and lots of fine art, and memorabilia.

Monterrey 2011 - Lamborghini Aventador Chassis

Great to see the new Lamborghini Aventador in person but way cooler to see the rolling chassis.

Great view of the carbon fiber tub and subframe attachment points.

Pebble Beach 2011 - 1960 Plymouth XNR Ghia Roadster

Created by Chrysler's design chief Virgil Exner and built by Ghia in Italy, the Plymouth XNR is a cool design study in asymmetry. A surprise to see it at Pebble Beach. It really evokes the design spirit of the late 50's. Definitively one of my favorites of the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Check out Jay Leno's interview of the owner of this unique piece of rolling sculpture.

Pebble Beach 2011 - 1954 Hudson Italia Touring Coupe

An interesting Italo-American hybrid built by Touring of Milan on a Hudson Jet chassis. This one is the last one of the series of 26 cars built.

Click on the images to enlarge

Pebble Beach 2011 - 1934 Ford Model 40 Special Speedster

I saw this beauty in a magazine not too long ago. Really special to see it "in the metal". There are plenty of details about the history of this Edsel Ford's speedster at the Ford Media site. You can also take a look at the interview done by Jay Leno during the 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

Pebble Beach 2011 - 1915 Mercedes Model 28/60 HP

I was attracted to this beautiful Mercedes 28/60 town car by its interesting headlights. I never realized that some owners back then had summer/winter coach work that could be swapped over the same chassis. Apparently this one started life as a touring car and later on the owner had a town car body built for the winter. That is a vintage Louis Vuitton luggage set on the roof. I really can't do it justice here so go check out the video at Jay Leno's Garage for more on this unique car...

Pebble Beach 2011 -1969 Mercedes Benz 600 Presidential Landaulet

Rare enough to see a Mercedes 600 but incredible to see first hand one of the 10 top-of-the-line six-door presidential landaulets ever built.

Monterrey 2011 - Veyron Grand Sport

Bugatti Grand Sport keeping company with the Super Sport near the Concept Car area of the 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.