Rods & Classics: The Largest Gathering of Early Bentleys Ever
Story by Nigel Matthews
California’s Monterey Peninsula plays host to the world’s premier automotive celebration, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, every August. Only the most beautiful and rare cars are invited to grace the famed 18th fairway of Pebble Beach Golf Links with their presence. We promised that our classic-car writer, Nigel Matthews, would walk the 18th fairway, but did not reveal that he would also be one of the Bentley Class Judges! Here is his report on what caught his eye.
The world’s respected judges, connoisseurs and admirers of the finest automobiles ever built flock to see the masterpieces at Pebble Beach.
For just one day of the year, the 18th fairway plays host to automobiles and draws a larger crowd than Tiger Woods and his colleagues in the PGA could ever hope to.
This year, Bentley was celebrated with the largest gathering of the luxury marque in the world. As well, there was a tribute to 100 years of Bugatti, Audi and Morgan.
B.C. was well-represented, providing three of the judges. Chief class judge John Carlson oversaw Post-War Sports and Touring cars classes, Dr. Robert Follows judged the Bugatti Type 57 Special Coachworks class and yours truly judged the Vintage Bentley eight-litre cars.
For the very first time in the Concours’ 59-year history, Bentley debuted a brand-new car. Due to some theatrics involved in this launch, the class of cars I judged was reduced from four to three. The car withdrawn was the 1930 Bentley eight-litre H.J. Mulliner Saloon, originally built for company founder, W.O. Bentley.
A large wooden crate next to the ramp outside the Lodge bore a sign that read: “To be opened at 12 noon.” With much fanfare, it was opened and out came the 1930 Bentley to everybody’s surprise.
Once the laughter had subsided, the sound of bagpipes could be heard and the new 2011 Bentley Mulsanne arrived from elsewhere.
Dr. Ing. Franz-Josef Paefgen, chairman and CEO of Bentley Motors, appeared with television comedian Jay Leno to announce the car to the world’s automotive press and onlookers.
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger congratulated Bentley on building a green car capable of running on flex fuel, although I can’t imagine it is that economical.
Later in the day, the opportunity to own chassis No. 0001 of the very first 2011 car was auctioned off at the Gooding and Co. auction. Someone paid $550,000 for that privilege. Bentley donated all of the funds to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Monterey County.
Of the 172 cars judged at this event, which carries as much weight in the Classic Car World as the Olympics, the Canadian entries came home with one gold, the FIVA (Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens) Pre-War Award presented to Jack and Kathy Boxstrom of Ontario with their 1931 Packard 833 Sport Phaeton.
The silver award went to David Cohen of B.C. with his absolutely stunning 1951 Bentley MKVI Facel-Metalon Coupé, and the double award-winner with a bronze award for a class win went once again to Ontario’s Boxstroms with the same car.
One thing I took away from this year’s event was a first opportunity to inspect closely one of the six Bugatti Type 41s, better known as the Royale, ever built. I paced out 12 of my size 12 feet from the front bumper to the cowl panel. With its 24-inch diameter wheels, this car is a monster. Even though it was designed with royalty in mind, with a price tag of $30,000 for a rolling chassis, even the wealthiest kings of Europe had trouble getting their hands on the majestic Bugatti Royale.
In today’s dollars, and bear in mind this was at the time of the Great Depression, the $700,000 price tag was unbelievable.
Ettore Bugatti must have been a very stubborn or principled man, because he refused to sell one to King Zog of Albania. Bugatti stated: “The man’s table manners are beyond belief!”
When the contenders for the Best of Show award were called to the podium, only two arrived, unusual because it is normally three. To be selected for the Best of Show award, the chief class judges and the honorary judges pick from a group of cars that have won the best in their class award.
This year the two cars selected were a 1937 Horch 853 Voll & Ruhrbeck Sport Cabriolet, owned by Robert Lee of Sparks, Nev., and the 1953 Siata 208CS Stabilimenti Farina Spyder owned by David Smith, of Medina, Wash.
They were two very different cars, one a small sports car, and the other a flamboyant classic. The Horch won, making this a second Best of Show victory for Lee. In 2006 he won with his 1931 Daimler Double-Six 50 Corsica Drophead Coupe.[PSGallery=1647n910jop]
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