Since 1950 , the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance has been the ultimate car show . Steeped in tradition , it is an exclusive and graceful solemnisation of the chronicle of the automobile . To be invited to expose a auto at Pebble Beach is an unbelievable honor . To gain your class is an affirmation that your elevator car is the unspoiled of its breed .
Custom Car Image Gallery
bear each August at the Lodge on the 18th greens at Pebble Beach , which overtop Monterey Bay , only 175 auto are invited to take part each year . Anyone unforced to pay the triple - digit admission fee is welcome to serve .
Known primarily as the horizon of grim bloods and their vintage Ferraris , Duesenbergs , and coachbuilt classic , red-hot rod had never appeared " on the lawn " prior to 1997 . In fact , the rebellious hot rod spirit was slightly at betting odds with the staid aura of such an elite car show .
Initiated by longtime Pebble Beach competitor Bruce Meyer , a group of crossover self-propelled fancier shift all that . Meyer , along with Pebble Beach judges Ken Gross , Gordon Apker , and Glenn Mounger , as well as regular competitors Kirk White and Dennis Varni , appealed to event organizers Jules Heumann and the later Lorin Tryon to admit a class for spicy rod . After yr of asking , their wish was ultimately granted with the introduction of the Historic Hot Rod grade in 1997 .
Gross established the category criteria and ask round the first hot rod competition . He chose nine fenderless roadsters from the 1940s and ' 50s , all of which had pedigrees as either street / show or street / lakes airstream cars . Gross , Ray Brock , Alex Xydias , and Don Montgomery were the judges at that first event .
When the victor drove across the ramp to accept their award , the standing standing ovation they received confirmed that hot rods belong at Pebble Beach .
A blistering perch or custom class has been part of the Concours every other twelvemonth since the 1997 event . Don Orosco won in ' 99 with his Dick Flint ' 29 Model A roadster , then took first in 2001 with the Alex Xydias So - Cal Coupe . Brock Yates won in 2003 with the ex - Duffy Livingston Eliminator caterpillar track buggy / sport racing car .
The 2005 event marked the first - ever custom car class . Given the number of legendary rods and customs being restored today , they should be well - represented at Pebble Beach for year to add up .
