1937 Delage D8-120 S Pourtout Aero Coupe - Pebble Beach Best in Show

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Source: Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
Carmel Valley, California, U.S.A.
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55th PEBBLE BEACH CONCOURS d'ELEGANCE NAMES 1937 DELAGE ‘BEST OF SHOW'

221 Classic Cars From 15 Countries Showcased Along California's Monterey Coast

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (Aug. 21, 2005) - The 18th fairway of Pebble Beach Golf Links® hosted 221 vintage vehicles and thousands of spectators Sunday at the 55th Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. The Concours competition, which included judging in 27 classes, culminated when a 1937 Delage owned by Sam and Emily Mann and Alfredo Brener from Englewood, N.J., was named "Best of Show."

The winning car (officially a '37 Delage D8-120 S Pourtout Aéro Coupé) was originally commissioned by Louis Delage, who founded the French car company Delage in 1905. The vehicle, with all-aluminum coachwork by Marcel Pourtout, was a prototype car for the 1937 Paris Auto Show and was the first vehicle to be tested in a wind tunnel. Louis Delage enjoyed the vehicle so much, he ultimately used it as his personal car.

"I'm shocked that I was able to win against a competitive field that included such incredibly designed Alfa Romeos," said Sam Mann, who captured his fourth Pebble Beach Concours. "When I originally received this car years ago, it was shipped in crates and was literally in pieces. It took two years to put the car back together and this win is exceptionally gratifying."

Competitors from 26 states and 15 countries, from as far away as Hong Kong, Australia, Italy and Argentina, were among the participants who brought their prized automotive possessions to the Monterey Peninsula for judging. Among the participants were designer Ralph Lauren, whose 1938 Alfa Romeo Touring Spyder won its class (Alfa Romeo Prewar Race Cars) and Tonight Show host Jay Leno, who brought his 1927 Duesenberg Sedan.

"The Pebble Beach Concours has truly become ‘the world's concours, with vintage car owners from around the globe bringing their exotic, historic vehicles here to compete each year," said Pebble Beach Concours Co-Chairman Glenn Mounger. "For our spectators, the event has become an automotive time capsule, with the finest automotive artistry and design on display from the more than 100 years of the automobile."

The 2005 event, which had an estimated $300 million worth of classic cars spread along the Monterey coastline, celebrated the 100th anniversary of French automaker Delage, the 75th anniversary of Italian design house Carrozzeria Pinin Farina and a specially judged Hot Rod class sponsored by Ford Motor Company. Another featured marque was Alfa Romeo, the 95-year old Italian race car and street car manufacturer.

"Today's showing of 62 classic Alfa Romeos, with 27 vehicles that traveled to Pebble Beach from outside the U.S., including seven cars from the Alfa Romeo Museum in Arese, Italy, was the most significant historic display of this marque ever seen," said Pebble Beach Concours Co-Chairman Sandra Kasky. "While this year's international collection of cars was astounding, we're especially gratified that the Concours was able to raise over half a million dollars for charity."

The 56th Pebble Beach Concours is slated for Aug. 20, 2006.

First conducted in 1950, the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance is an international gathering for "a celebration of the automobile" at The Lodge at Pebble Beach™ on the Monterey Peninsula. The Concours combines a scenic location - the famed 18th hole at Pebble Beach Golf Links® along the Pacific Ocean - with the opportunity to view rarely seen examples of automotive style, performance and history.

The annual affair also included the Thursday, Aug. 18 Pebble Beach Tour d'Elegance around the Monterey Peninsula for Concours entries, and the Sunday evening Pebble Beach Auction conducted by Gooding & Company that showcased classic, vintage and antique cars.

Proceeds from the Aug. 21, 2005 Concours support local, national and international charities, including United Way of Monterey County, Boys and Girls Club of Monterey County, Natividad Medical Foundation, the Kinship Center, Animal Friends Rescue Project, Casa (Court Appointed Special Advocates), Pebble Beach Company Foundation, Wheelchair Foundation and UNICEF.