Pebble Beach Concours
Silver Arrows celebration and milestone pre-war cars
On manicured greens and under typically foggy skies, the 2009 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance again dazzled visitors with glorious cars, elegant participants and special displays. 4.5 liter Bentleys were celebrated as was Sir Stirling Moss’ 80th birthday and an historic display of the golden age of Grand Prix racing cars lined the quay overlooking a placid Monterey Bay.
With a diverse and highly desirable global lineup of passenger cars and great successes in the competition arena over the last few years, one could argue Mercedes-Benz is certainly at the top of its game. We have to look back to the decade spanning 1929-1939 for a similar combination of class defining passenger cars and racing success. Pebble Beach 2009 allowed us to wander through the icons of that era with a spectacular group of Grand Prix “titans” on display and five glorious road cars.
The photos below provide a glimpse of Mercedes-Benz at Pebble Beach.
Unrestored, supercharged 1929Â SSK with brief sporting coachwork by British coachbuilder Carlton exudes charisma. The SSK was known as the fastest sports car in the world in the late '20s. Owner Evert V.N. Louwman of the Netherlands uses the car enthusiastically throughout UK and Europe.
6.8 liter 1928 Model S Saoutckik Cabriolet was the 1928 Los Angeles show car and prompted many orders from the Hollywood set. Shown at Pebble by Etienne and Lidy Veen of Switzerland.
1937 540K Cabriolet A was delivered new to Milan, Italy. Shown at Pebble Beach by the Off Brothers Collection of Florida.
This 1933 380K Special Roadster features custom coachwork by Erdmann & Rossi. Shown at Pebble Beach by Ken & Patty McBride of Seattle, Washington.
All conquering W25 Grand Prix car began Silver Arrow era with Eifelrennen victory in 1934.
Two fabulous 1938/1939 W154s were on display. These cars dominated European Grand Prix events leading up to WW2.
1954 W196 Streamliner conceived for high speed circuits. Three liter straight eight produced 290hp.
The inspiration for the iconic street Gullwing, the early 194 series 300SLs returned Mercedes-Benz to racing success in the early '50s.
1959 300SL roadster contested the "Postwar Preservation Through 1967" class. Described as absolutely untouched since new, it would be a perfect reference for any restorer.
Sunshine peeking through to illuminate brazen SLR Stirling Moss Edition. It may be absolutely irrelevant to today's world but I would have gladly accepted the keys for a blast down Highway 1 to Big Sur.
There is not an automobile gathering on earth quite like Pebble Beach.
Please comment on this article below.
Roy Spencer, editor MercedesHeritage.com
Comment on this Article