The world’s most prestigious major classic car event has been taking place in California, USA, every August since 1950, right in the middle of Germany’s summer lull.
Large numbers of events attract automobile fans from all over the world to the Pacific Coast to experience the international market, surrounded by exclusive golf clubs, as well as to shop, buy items at auction, and not lastly to see and be seen. The guest list includes famous international personalities such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, TV presenter Jay Leno, the racing legend Jackie Stewart, ex-formula 1 pilot Jochen Mass, and Ion Tiriac, to name but a few.
The two most star-studded events, the Concours D’Elégance on the Pebble Beach golf course and “The Quail”, named after the Quail Lodge Golf Club in Carmel, are the best attended, and that despite horrendous ticket prices and the most exacting participation conditions, and they lead the field among automobile presentations.
“The Quail - a motorsports gathering” offers a hand-picked selection of high-quality classic automobiles, premium and luxury automobile manufacturers, as well as manufacturers of luxury accessories. The 4,000 tickets, priced at more than $ 500 each, are already sold out well in advance. Large numbers of star guests from film, television and motorsport are part of the picture every year on the green. Arthur Bechtel Classic Motors presented one of a total of four classic automobiles shown here, a Mercedes Benz 320 Cabriolet A, built in 1940. The expert public immediately recognised the rarity and the excellent condition of this classic, and both the vehicle itself and the exhibitor were surrounded by interested visitors.
Every year, Pebble Beach sees THE Concours D’Elégance of the Western hemisphere par excellence, led by the Grande Dame of the international classic automobile scene, Mrs. Sandra Button. Only 220 classic cars from a large number of international applicants were selected to take part in this beauty contest. Just taking part is equivalent to being knighted. The highly-qualified expert jury, made up of motorsports legends and automobile icons, uses the strictest criteria such as originality, condition and beauty/elegance when judging the gems of automobile art that are presented, awarding the prize among the beauties to the most beautiful, which rise in value immediately merely by virtue of winning this prize.
For the first time in the history of the firm, est. 1972, Arthur Bechtel Classic Motors, at its Motorworld headquarters located in the Stuttgart Region, had the honour of being able to attend in Pebble Beach with a rare pre-war classic car, a Mercedes Benz 320 Cabriolet D, built in 1939.
Fantastic sunny weather, which particularly set off the paint and the chrome, the breath-taking coast view and the vibrant atmosphere also played their part in helping this event to succeed, so that it was a great success for Arthur and Tim Bechtel and the whole team, and at the same time proof of the quality of the vehicles from the house of Arthur Bechtel Classic Motors. “We have our high quality demands to thank for the invitation to Pebble Beach. This level is something that we do not wish to simply maintain, but also to improve if possible”, was the statement of a more than satisfied Tim Bechtel at the end of the day. “We will try to be here again next year.”
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