Admission on Sunday was $300 in advance and $350 on Sunday is still a lot cheaper than chasing a ball around Pebble Beach Golf Links as a resort guests pay $495 and non-resort guests pay $495 plus a cart fee and the cost of balls lost. In applying for credentials for the first time in memory, we had to sign an agreement not to use any kind of drone. Due to the liability involved I see this as becoming a normal part of all event restrictions in the future. The esteemed Sir Stirling Moss was in attendance, like most Concours years! He will be 86 this September.

 

   I asked Leslie Kaye to give her impression of the Concours in 47 words or less and being a lawyer, former motorcycle magazine managing editor, and florist, this Detroit native ended up writing 300-400 words. Take it away Leslie.

 

 “I couldn’t wait to accompany Rodent to the 65th Annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance – a spectacular affair all the way around. On those groomed greens of the famous golf course situated on scenic 17-Mile Drive, you are surrounded by breathtaking beauty. The coast is so close you can touch it. The rugged California coastline with its jutting cliffs and blue ocean waters never gets old – even if you live here.

 

The scene was a car lover’s dream. There were no motorcycles this year, and we were disappointed. But not for long. There was too much to ooh and ahh about. If you wanted, you could walk barefoot on the soft grasses, between richly-colored vintage automobiles, to examine their immaculate interiors more closely. There were race cars, sports cars, touring cars and more, all pristine and perfect. Featured classics included Ferraris, DuPonts, Popes, Lincoln Continentals, Mustangs and many others.

 

Among my personal favorites was the Lincoln bearing the license plate, Mary Todd.  And most special was the silver Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR racecar number 722 signed on the hood by its driver, Sir Stirling Moss, who had won the incredible 1955 Mille Miglia race in just over 10 hours, averaging 98.5 miles per hour through the village streets. A historic race, with an unforgettable 25-year old racer and racecar you can see by clicking here.”

 

Was it crowded? Oh my god, yes. Filled to capacity with people finely dressed in linens, straw hats and expensive shoes. Hoity-toity? Absolutely. Coffee was $5, champagne $25 a glass, or $100-160 per bottle. The Northern California air was filed with classic oldies music tastefully playing all day on loud speakers. But this crowd of dapper men and women was surprisingly very friendly and down-to-earth. We spoke with tons of strangers of all ages who could not have been more real or enjoyable. It was special. It felt like we were all united, having made the annual pilgrimage for love and appreciation of the finest motor vehicles history has brought.