Vanderbilt Cup Races

The British website AutoExpress has posted "our favourite 10 cars from the 2014 Pebble Beach Concours event."

Car and Driver previously cited Chrysler's Chrysler as one of its top ten favorites at the 2014 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

Enjoy,

Howard Kroplick

 

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Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance 2014: 10 best cars

We pick our top 10 best cars from the 2014 Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance

AutoExpress 18 Aug, 2014 9:00am

 

The finest classic cars in the world gathered together for the 64th annual Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance in Carmel, California this weekend at the climax of the Monterey Car Week.
 
Historic machines lined up on the famous 18th hole of the Pebble Beach Golf Links to compete for prizes in 26 categories ranging from early steam cars to postwar sports racing.
 
In total 200 classics gathered at the event with cars coming from all over the world to compete.

The extensive judging panel included Dr Ian Robertson, BMW member of the board of management, Jaguar's design chief Ian Callum and Sir Stirling Moss.
 
Cars aren’t just rated on their looks alone. They also have to prove themselves fully operational. So as part of the judging procedure engines are started, horns tested, lights checked and various features such as convertible roofs scrutinised to ensure they are fully operational.

Following this rigorous securitisation of all the competitors on show, the judges named the overall winner of the 64th Annual Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance to be the 1954 Ferrari 375 MM Scaglietti Coupe.

With classic cars of this quality, however, it’s very much a matter of personal taste so here are our favourite 10 cars from the 2014 Pebble Beach Concours event.

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1937 Chrysler Imperial C-15 Le Baron Town Car

Under its long bonnet the big Chrysler used a 5.3-litre engine, which produced 130bhp and drove the rear wheels via a three-speed manual gearbox. A stunning example, this car has bespoke salt and pepper shakers in its opulent passenger compartment.

 

1929 Bentley Speed Six Saoutchik Drophead Coupe

Packing a 6.5-litre straight six engine under its bonnet, this bright blue version of Bentley’s Speed Six could deliver 180bhp. Factory racing cars with 200hp won Le Mans in 1929 and 1930.
 

1923 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost RR CCW Salamanca Town Car

The pinnacle of luxury travel, this Rolls-Royce has a retractable roof to offer the passengers top down motoring. Notice how the Spirit of Ecstasy bonnet mascot swivels out of the way of the engine bay covers. 

1958 Ferrari 250 Test Rossa Scaglietti Spyder

It’s nice to see a Testa Rossa that isn’t painted red. This particular model is owned by Lord Bamford, chairman of JCB. Under its long bonnet is a 3.0-litre V12 from the 250 GT only tuned to 300bhp thanks to six twin-choke carburetors.
 

1952 Jaguar XK120 Open Two Seater

Shipped over from St Mortiz, Switzerland, for the event, this XK120 is a land Speed record car. In 1952 it was driven at 172mph, its aerodynamic enhancements, such as that Plexiglas bubble roof, helping it achieve this top speed. 
 

1968 Ford GT40 Mark III Coupe

At eight inches longer than the original GT40 Le Mans racer, the MKIII was designed for street use. That extra length afforded some luggage space in the rear while the cockpit featured a ventilation system and interior trim. The gear shifter was also moved from right side to the centre of the cockpit.
 

1956 Maserati A6G/54 Zagato Coupe

The Italian firm is celebrating its centenary this year and so a specific Maserati category was included at this year’s Concours d’Elegance. This car features a 150bhp twin cam engine to ensure it goes as good as it looks.  

1937 Bugatti Type 57C Gangloff Atalante

Based on the 57 only 17 Atalantes were built, four of which are in the Cite de L'Automobile Museum in France. The two-door coupe is signified by its one-piece windscreen and lack of fin. 

1967 Ferrari 206 Dino Competitzione Pininfarina Coupe

A stinking prototype created by the design house Pininfarina it was fort shown at the 1967 Frankfurt Motor Show. It features gulling doors and a longitudinal V6 engine.
 

1937 Packard 1508 Twelve Rollston Convertible Victoria

This car wasn't actually competing in the event, however we've included it in our round up to share its sheer beauty with you. Just look at the cut glass bonnet mascot.