The sun shone brightly for this year’s 73^rd edition of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance both for Thursday’s always spectacular run up to Big Sur and again for Sunday’s concours. Two of our full restorations and a third car that we extensively refreshed made the trip to Monterey. All three taking part in both traditions.

Awarded First in Class in the prewar Mercedes category was this very sporting 1928 Mercedes-Benz 710 SSK Corsica Drophead. Building on an older restoration by Markus Kern, our recent work brought the British bodied SSK up to full concours standards by addressing authenticity details, replacing the interior, and adding a low-profile convertible top.

This striking 1967 Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada Series I Coupe was awarded Second in Class in the postwar sports category. The potent Bizzarrini maintained many of its original details including its Corvette derived engine and drivetrain.

With a fine history including speed runs at the Bonneville Salt Flats, this elegant, gray on gray 1959 Ferrari 410 Superamerica Pinin Farina Coupe exemplified power and grace on the show field. It received Third in Class honors in the late Ferrari class.

This year’s Best of Show finalists were an eclectic group. Alongside long-time Paul Russell and Company patron Harry Yeaggy’s impeccably turned out 1934 Packard 1108 Twelve LeBaron Sport Phaeton was a wonderfully preserved 1934 Bugatti Type 59 Sports, a distinctive two-tone 1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport Saoutchik Fastback Coupé, and a dark-horse 1970 Lancia Stratos HF Zero Bertone Coupe from the special class of Wedge concepts and prototypes.

With two post-war cars and a preservation car in the mix the odds of a historic victory were looking good. After much deliberation, it was the preservation Bugatti that took home Best of Show. This marks the first time in history that a preservation car drove away with the Concours’ highest honor.

Will we look back on this win as watershed moment? Time will tell. It certainly reflects an evolving appreciation amongst owners, restorers, and the concours community for preserving originality whenever possible.