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A 1938 Alfa
Romeo owned by Jon and Mary Shirley of Medina,
Washington, was named Best of Show at the 58th
Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the world’s ultimate
classic and historic car event, held on Sunday (17
August 2008) along the 18th fairway of Pebble Beach Golf
Links.
Proceeds from
raffles, auctions, sponsorships and gate receipts helped
contribute more than US$1.3 million to charity for the third
consecutive year.
Jon Shirley, the former president and chief operating
officer of Microsoft who resides in Medina, Wash., purchased
his 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Touring Berlinetta four years
ago. The 8C 2900B was Alfa Romeo’s most prestigious grand
touring car of the 1930s.
Only 33 examples
were ever completed for road use, and most were bodied by
Carrozzeria Touring. The body on this car is unique; one of
six privately commissioned Berlinettas, it was used in
several advertisements by Alfa. “This car has an intriguing
history,” says 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.”
Competitors from 27 states and 12 countries brought their
prized automotive possessions to California’s Monterey
Peninsula for judging in 24 classes.
“It takes an
amazing level of elegance for a closed car like this Alfa to
win here,” says Concours Chairman 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. The
Pebble Beach Concours has truly become ‘the world’s concours.’
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.
The Concours saluted Lancia, Lamborghini and General Motors’
100th anniversary, showcasing the GM Motorama road show, the
Cadillac V-16, GM Woodies and GM-powered sports cars.
Overall, more than 200 classic vehicles, ranging from the
event’s oldest competitor – an 1892 Peugeot – to a rare
collection of six Ferrari California Spyders displayed their
automotive wares at the annual classic car showcase.
Tonight Show host Jay Leno, a regular Concours participant,
brought his hefty 20+ liter 1953 Chrysler Tank Car to Pebble
Beach. “This is an M47 Patton Tank engine with twin turbos,
it has 1,600 horsepower and weighs about five tons,” says
Leno. “That’s not really much when you consider the engine
is meant to move a 120,000-pound tank. Maybe you build cars
like this when you have more money than brains, but I’ve
driven it to work and it’s gotten up to 145 mph at the GM
Proving Grounds. Actually, most people don’t know this is
really a hybrid. It starts off running on gas…then you get
on the freeway and it runs on even more gas.”
The Pebble Beach Concours happens every year on the third
Sunday in August, blending automotive design, craftsmanship
and history,” says Kasky. “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.” The 59th Pebble Beach
Concours is slated for Sunday, Aug. 16, 2009 with Bentley
and Bugatti serving as the official marques.
First conducted in 1950, the Pebble Beach Concours
d’Elegance has grown to become the world’s premier
celebration of the automobile. Only the most beautiful and
rare cars are invited to appear on the famed 18th fairway of
Pebble Beach Golf Links, and connoisseurs of art and style
flock to see these masterpieces. Charitable donations raised
by the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance now total over US$11
million. Related events include the Pebble Beach Tour
d’Elegance presented by Rolex, Pebble Beach RetroAuto, and
the Pebble Beach® Auction presented by Gooding & Company.
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