2009 Pebble Beach Concours d' Elegance

Have you heard the this one before? The early bird gets the worm? Well, in Hagerty's world the early bird gets the Dawn Patrol hat! Sunday morning, August 16th 2009, team Hagerty assembles at the valet desk at 3:45 am. We said our good mornings and good nights to those who were still rejoicing over their new purchases from the auction which ended just a few hours before. 3:55 am depart hotel en route to the Lodge at Pebble Beach. 4:10 am - great parking in front of the lodge. 4:15 am walk on the show field to find the Lodge staff is already setting up our tables with coffee and doughnuts for our early risers. 4:45 am two doughnuts consumed, hot tea in hand and the anticipation level of what is about to take place today, for today is the greatest car show in the world - The Pebble Beach Concours d' Elegance.

5:14 am Pebble Beach Dawn Patrol

Hagerty's Team SoCal: from left, Tamara Rhoads, Adam Martin, Laura Jacobsen

Early arrivals to the Concours show field

1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Atalante Coupe

From the collection of Ray Scherr

I love the colors on this car!

6:45 am, the Dawn Patrol crowd is growing...nice blue hats!

1934 Packard V-12 1106 LeBaron Sport Coupe

David Morrison receiving a kind hello from Sandra Kasky-button in his barn find 1913 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost. This car was found in Norway after being put away for more that 45 years. This car is in unrestored original condition.

Bill H Lyon at the entrance to the show field in his 1965 Alfa Romeo TZ2 Zagato Competition Berlinetta. A special mention to his father for squeezing into the passenger seat!

Both of Jerry Seinfeld's racing Porsche's arrive on the lawn

Wow, a mother-in-law seat that is actually being used!

Peoples Choice winner

1955 Ferrari 410 Superamerica Pinin Farina Coupe

from the collection of John La Barbera & Lynn Gabriel

The most sporting Delage that I have ever seen, I love it!

1937 Delage D8 S Letourneur et Marchand Aerodynamic Coupe

from the Patterson collection

The epitome of the French curve

1938 Talbot-Lago T150C-SS Coupe

From the collection of William Jonhston

A crowd favorite!

1949 Fiat Topolino 750MM Coupe bodied by Zagato

from the collection of Scott & Courtney Gauthier

1952 Mercedes-Benz W194 Coupe

Winner of the 1952 24 Hours of Le Mans and predecessor for the iconic 300SL Gullwing Coupe

1930 Bugatti Type 52 half scale electric GP Car

This is our future...A very excited and proud young man showing his Bugatti to the world class Pebble Beach Judges

From the collection of Joseph & Angela Cantore

1911 Oldsmobile Limited 7-Passenger Touring

A true barn find that was in inoperable condition previously was meticulously brought back to mechanical life after a two year commitment by master craftsman, Mark Lizewskie. You should have seen the three-ring binder of documentation for its repair to working order. Congratulations Mark!

from the collection of John W. Rich

1934 Packard Twelve 1108 Sport Sedan bodied by Dietrich

"Ask the man who owns one" is the famous slogan for Packard Motorcars. After seeing this picture, I can see why. The car looks amazing on the show field, great job Jeff and Norman.

from the collection of Robert & Sandra Bahre

Bentley was one of the featured Marques this year. The lineup was amazing and to grand for photos...you should have been there!

1930 Bentley Speed Six bodied by Gurney Nutting

The "Blue Train"

My most favorite Bentley of all time.

1935 Bugatti Type 57 Chassis

The Chassis is done and awaits to be reassembled to its artisan body

from the collection of Charles Barnett

1941 Bugatti Type 41 Royale Coupe de Ville bodied by Binder

1 of 6 produced with a sale price of $30,000 for the chassis alone before the body was purchased and made.

from the collection of Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. Molsheim France

BEST OF SHOW

1937 Horch 853 Voll & Ruhrbeck Sport Cabriolet

from the collection of Robert M. Lee

Mr. Lee's car was surrounded by awe struck enthusiast throughout the day. The lines of the Horch were as mesmerizing as a fading sunset. The shape, the luster, and most of all the presence of the car was in explainable. Many people commented that it was going to be the best in show as soon as it arrived on the show field earlier in the morning.

Congratulations to Mr. Lee who not only took home best of show at Pebble Beach but also at The Quail earlier in the week.