Shared History Adds Up to Spectacular Celebration and Extraordinary Cars
60th Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance Celebrates 75th Anniversary of Jaguar
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — Some things get even better with age, and two fine examples include the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and Jaguar. Each is celebrating a significant anniversary in 2010 and their heritage is remarkably intertwined.
The Pebble Beach Concours began in tandem with the first Pebble Beach Road Race in 1950 when new sports cars were the focus of the burgeoning community of car enthusiasts — and Jaguars, which first appeared in 1935, were all the rage. The marque sought to marry grace with pace, just as the twin events did. Almost immediately, Jaguar, Concours, and Road Race were linked.
"The Pebble Beach Concours came about through the efforts of car enthusiasts, and it has always reflected their passions," said Concours Chairman Sandra Button, who owns an SS100 Jaguar with her husband, Martin. "Our genuine motorsports heritage gives focus to this event—even today."
Early publicity posters for both Race and Concours featured Jaguars posed on 17-Mile Drive, and these cars were named Best of Show at three of the first five Concours — in 1951, '52 and '54. Phil Hill, who later became the first American to become a Formula One World Drivers Champion, even won the first Pebble Beach Road Race driving a Jaguar XK120.
"The earliest Pebble Beach Concours had a special feeling; it was all new, and everyone participated with great gusto and style," said Chairman Emeritus Jules "J." Heumann, who has attended every Pebble Beach Concours to date. "People brought carpets and silver candelabras for picnicking and it wasn't uncommon to see folks wearing cutaway coats and morning trousers."
Heumann first competed in the Concours with a 1948 Jaguar Mark IV, winning his class in 1958: "Jaguars were the sports racing car that everyone desired. Jaguar was an important part of the Concours in those early days."
Flash forward to Aug. 15, 2010, when the 60th anniversary of the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance will focus on the 75th anniversary of Jaguar. Jaguar is a featured marque this year, and many historic Jaguars will participate in the competition. Among the cars expected on the famed 18th fairway of Pebble Beach Golf Links are the 1935 SS90 that served as the prototype for the first car named Jaguar and early examples of both the SS1 and the SS100. Also on hand will be several remarkable race cars, including the first C-type sent to the U.S. — and campaigned by Phil Hill throughout the country — as well as a Le Mans–winning D-type, and the prototype XJ13. Key show cars, like the actual E-type that debuted at the New York Auto Show, will also be on display.
The company that became Jaguar began in 1922 as a manufacturer of motorcycle sidecars, established by Sir William Lyons and William Walmsley as the Swallow Sidecar Company. The Jaguar name first appeared in 1935 on a 2.5-liter saloon (sedan), and was adopted by the company as a whole in 1945. New models arrived soon after World War II, and Jaguar won the epic 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1951, '53, '55, '56 and '57 and the prestigious Monte Carlo Rally in 1956. Jaguar returned to the podium at Le Mans in 1988 and '90. Now, as Jaguar celebrates "75 years of looking forward," style, luxury, performance and elegance continue as hallmarks.
In addition to Jaguar, the 60th Pebble Beach Concours will feature Alfa Romeo and Pierce-Arrow, showcase Italian designer Ghia, and include special classes focusing on the 50th anniversary of the Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta, the centennial of the Indianapolis 500, Hot Rod lakesters and Bonneville racers, and Prewar American Motorcycles.
First conducted in 1950, Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance® (www.pebblebeachconcours.net) has grown to be 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 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance® now total over $13 million. Related events include Pebble Beach Tour d'Elegance™ presented by Rolex, Pebble Beach RetroAuto™, and Pebble Beach® Auction presented by Gooding & Company. Pebble Beach®, Pebble Beach Golf Links®, Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance®, Pebble Beach Tour d'Elegance™, and Pebble Beach RetroAuto™ are trademarks, service marks and trade dress of
Pebble Beach Company. All rights reserved.
Pebble Beach Company, headquartered in Pebble Beach, Calif., owns and operates the world-famous Pebble Beach Resorts®, including The Lodge at Pebble Beach™, The Inn at Spanish Bay™ and Casa Palmero®. The company also operates four renowned golf courses: Pebble Beach Golf Links®, Spyglass Hill® Golf Course, The Links at Spanish Bay™ and Del Monte™ Golf Course. Its other famed properties include the scenic 17-Mile Drive® and The Spa at Pebble Beach™. In addition to the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance®, Pebble Beach Resorts® annually hosts the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, The First Tee Open at Pebble Beach and the Callaway Golf Pebble Beach Invitational. Pebble Beach Golf Links® has hosted four U.S. Opens, four U.S. Amateurs, one PGA Championship, and will host its fifth U.S. Open in 2010. For reservations or more information please call (800) 654-9300 or visit www.pebblebeach.com.
PrevPreviousThe Shooting Break concept car: taking the Coupé design to new heights
Next2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet: Raising the Performance BarNext
7th Annual "ART-of-Motion" Exhibit at the 2023 Washington Auto Show
Ram 1500 Revolution Concept Unveiled at CES 2023
Welcome to the BMW Museum and BMW Welt in Munich, Germany
A Weekend Drive to the Gilmore Car Museum: Classic Automotive Fandom
Ford Opens Atlanta Research and Innovation Center to Tap Local Tech Talent for Company's Digital Transformation
2022 Miami International Auto Show Opens October 15th with a Focus on EVs
General Motors Announces Diverse Creative Agency of Record, Majority Agency
Hyundai Spotlights "Dad's Precious Cargo" in New Campaign for the 2023 Palisade
IKEA U.S. and Electrify America announce collaboration for ultra-fast public and fleet charging at over 25 IKEA retail locations
The New Lamborghini Urus Takes Pikes Peak's SUV Record
Lexus Becomes the Official Luxury Vehicle of Georgia Tech Athleticsa
2022 Audi Q7 55 TFSI quattro: Efficient, Exceptional Performance
Chevrolet and NNPA Extend Partnership, Name Terrence J. as 'Discover the Unexpected' Program Ambassador
2022 ART-of-Motion Recap Video & Photos: Exotics, Art Cars, Custom Cycles, Music, & More
Porsche Cars North America Starts 2022 with Two New Executives
6th Annual "ART-of-Motion" Exhibit at the 2022 Washington, D.C. Auto Show
Lucid Opens Studio Location in Washington, D.C. Metro Area