2024 Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance—Historic Cars & Scenic Drives

September 3, 2024
Images by Shawn Glad

The Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance, held on Thursday, August 15, 2024, is one of the most anticipated events of Monterey Car Week. This year’s Tour was particularly special because it included the 1934 Bugatti Type 59 Sports, which went on to win Best in Show at Sunday’s Concours d’Elegance. Remarkably, this car is unrestored and original—the first time a preservation car has won the Concours. Witnessing it glide along the coastline, with the ocean as its backdrop, was truly unforgettable and a highlight of the Tour.

Note: The feature image for this article highlights another standout car from the Tour, a 1954 Jaguar D-type Prototype, reflecting the diversity and beauty of the vehicles that participated. Photos of the Best in Show 1934 Bugatti Type 59 Sports and other highlights from the Tour can be found below.

The Tour d’Elegance, a prelude to the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, features around 150 vintage and classic cars navigating some of California’s most iconic landscapes. Unlike the Concours, where the cars are displayed on the lawn, the Tour showcases these magnificent machines as they move through the stunning coastal scenery, offering a rare opportunity to see them as they were meant to be experienced—on the road.

This year, I chose to watch the cars along Highway One, where the ocean views and the rugged cliffs of Big Sur provided a breathtaking setting. Whether you catch the cars as they start up and roll out at Pebble Beach or along the winding 17-Mile Drive, each vantage point offers its own unique perspective.

My focus this year was on vintage race cars and European classics from the 1950s and 60s, but I couldn’t resist taking a few shots of the pre-war beauties and modern super and hypercars that joined the tour. It’s incredible how many rare and significant vehicles participate, turning the Tour d’Elegance into a rolling museum of automotive history. If you’ve never experienced the Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance, or if you’re looking for something new to explore during next year’s Monterey Car Week, I highly recommend it.

Below are some of my favorites from the Tour, including a number of modern machines and supercars that were just too cool not to include. I also attended the Concours on Sunday, so check back in a couple of weeks when I post a follow-up on the cars I saw on the lawn.

Cheers!

1934 Bugatti Type 59 Sports

1934 Bugatti Type 59 Sports
Class: PREWAR PRESERVATION (L1-07)

* This Type 59 was the outright winner at the Belgian Grand Prix in 1934, driven by René Dreyfus, and went on to take third at the Monaco Grand Prix the same year. Ettore Bugatti then sold four of his Type 59 factory racers, but kept this car, the first built, removing the supercharger and converting it to a sports car with a new two-seater body with motorbike wings and side doors. Registered as a Type 57 (chassis number 57248) the newly dressed racer snatched victories from the Delahayes and Talbots at Pau in 1937, followed by a win at the Algerian and Marne French Grand Prix, driven by Jean-Pierre Wimille. King Leopold III of Belgium then acquired the Bugatti and redressed it in black with the Belgian yellow stripe—as it appears today, original and unrestored.

1962 Land Rover Series IIA 109” Special Station Wagon

1962 Land Rover Series IIA 109” Special Station Wagon
Class: POSTWAR PRESERVATION (L2-04)

* In 1962 Robert Lee met with Sir William Lyons at the Rover Company in Solihull, England, with a special mission in mind: to build the ultimate safari wagon. Lee specified a diesel engine with three fuel tanks for an 800-mile range and reinforcement of the chassis, suspension, and shocks for rough terrain. At the distributor in Angola, more modifications were made—special roof-hatches, additional luggage racks, storage for a table, jerry cans for fuel and water, a gas stove, a special winch system, and interior gun racks. From 1962 through 1965 Lee explored Angola, Mozambique, South Africa, and Namibia in his one-off safari wagon. The Rover (chassis 26401400) was shipped to New York in 1965 and has remained in the Lee Collection ever since, unrestored and a unique repository of Lee’s African adventures.

1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Scaglietti Competizione Berlinetta

1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Scaglietti Competizione Berlinetta
Class: FERRARI LATE (M2-06)

* In keeping with homologation regulations, Ferrari’s competition cars shared some features with their road-going siblings, specifically steering, suspension, and driveline. Beyond these, familial similarities were minimal. Brakes, air filter, and fuel tank were upgraded, a rollbar was fitted, and the body modified for larger wheels and aerodynamics. Fifteen factory competition cars were built over three series, and chassis 16407 was the penultimate example. Introduced in 1973 at Le Mans, this car raced under Luigi Chinetti’s North American Racing Team banner, driven by Sam Posey and Milt Minter, and was then campaigned stateside. It was also owned and raced for two years by actor and racer David Carradine. Today, the Berlinetta wears its correct 1973 Le Mans livery.

1954 Jaguar D-type Prototype

1954 Jaguar D-type Prototype
Class: JAGUAR D-TYPE 70th ANNIVERSARY (N-01)

* This is the original prototype of the D-type—one of the most successful competition series, built between 1954 and 1956. Following in the wake of the indomitable C-type, which won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1953, the D-type was born into huge expectation. And it did not disappoint. Its chassis number XKC401 signals that it was the first competition car built in 1954, and on its first outing to Le Mans for practice sessions, it broke lap records and reached speeds in excess of 170 mph. Under the bonnet beats a finely tuned 3.4-liter XK engine with triple Weber carbs, producing 250 bhp. The light alloy monocoque was fused to a multi-tubular frame, with disc brakes on all four corners, and the low-drag body skin featuring a driver’s headrest melding into the stabilizing tail fin. In 1954, in the debut race for the new D-type based on this prototype, a team car came in 2nd at Le Mans and went on to win the 24 hour race in 1955 and 1956. Remarkably, in 1957 the model took 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 6th places at the fabled endurance track.

1955 Jaguar D-type Race Car

1955 Jaguar D-type Race Car
Class: POSTWAR SPORTS RACING (O1-01)

* This Jaguar is one of three D-types originally exported to Australia. It was purchased in British Racing Green by a racing consortium, and successfully campaigned through 1959, with several first and second finishes. In July 1959 the D-type (chassis XKD526) was uprated to the 3.8-liter specification and its livery changed to pale yellow with a black stripe. In 1961, it was famously fitted with an aluminum hardtop to facilitate its participation on the GT racing circuit, but this unique feature was removed by Keith Berryman in 1967, who continued to race the Jaguar until 1970. Berryman eventually restored it to its original configuration and sold it in 2014, having owned it for 45 years.

1966 Ford GT40 XGT-2 Mk II

1966 Ford GT40 XGT-2 Mk II
Class: POSTWAR SPORTS RACING (O1-06)

* In the famous 1966 battle of track titans, Ford v. Ferrari, the Ford GT40 emerged victorious. Of the 11 Mk IIs with 427 engines originally produced, this car was one of three built with the aluminum roof, upgraded suspension, and other lightweight specifications. Ford sent the Mk IIs to Shelby American for assembly in California, where eight GT40s were specially prepared for the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966. This car (chassis XGT-2), driven by Graham Hill, was first off the line and led the race, but subsequently did not finish due to engine failure. Nevertheless, history was made that day as three GT40 Mk IIs came in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. This car, one of nine existing, has been restored to its 1966 Le Mans specification.

1956 Maserati A6G Zagato Berlinetta

1956 Maserati A6G Zagato Berlinetta
Class: MASERATI ROAD CARS (P1-03)

* The last of the 21 Zagato Berlinettas built, this car (chassis 2186) was finished on October 31, 1956. Shipped new to Charles Rezzaghi of San Francisco, the car was featured in the May 1957 issue of Motor Trend. Subsequent owners, first Frank Faine and then Frank Jay Hoke, campaigned the Maserati across America, and it became the Class E modified champion in 1961. When its race career was over, Hoke replaced its six-cylinder engine with a Buick V8. After several other owners, and decades of separation of chassis and motor, the car was eventually made whole again under the ownership of Dr. Stihl of Stuttgart, Germany, and has since been restored to its original configuration and colors.

1959 Maserati 3500 GT Bertone Coupé

1959 Maserati 3500 GT Bertone Coupé
Class: MASERATI ROAD CARS (P1-04)

* Considered by many to be the most successful early Maserati model, the 3500 GT was launched in 1957, and over 2,000 were sold. Master stylist Franco Scaglione crafted this single Bertone for foreign royalty. Scaglione was the first auto designer fully trained in aerodynamics, and he applied these principles to this car (chassis 101-666), his last design at Bertone. Note the speed streaks over the front wheel arches, greenhouse rear glass, and sharp pleat tail fins. This two-door, 2+2 grand touring coupé runs the Maserati 350S 3.5-liter straight-six engine with an aluminum block. In 1992, Nuccio Bertone, the founder’s son, invited the car back to Turin to celebrate Bertone’s 80th Anniversary, and it returns to Pebble Beach Concours for the third time, following a seven-year restoration.

1955 Maserati 150S Spyder

1955 Maserati 150S Spyder
Class: MASERATI RACE CARS (P2-03)

* According to the build sheet, this 150S Maserati was completed on June 1, 1955, bearing chassis number 1658. Maserati built 25 of these 150S models, powered by the comparatively diminutive 1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine. This car was then proudly displayed at the Paris Auto Salon in October 1955, before it was launched on to the race circuit for the 1955 season. Jean Thepenier, the French race car driver, acquired the car and raced it in 1956 then passed the car to Jean-Pierre Clement for the ’57-’58 race season. In 1964, under the ownership of Michele Paratore, 1658 raced the Targa Florio. Despite its storied race history, this car retains its original engine, body, and all major components from 1955.

1991 Ferrari F40 Pininfarina Coupe

1991 Ferrari F40 Pininfarina Coupe
Class: 1990S BPR & FIA GT RACE CARS (R-01)

* In 1987 Enzo Ferrari celebrated the marque’s 40th anniversary, and to mark the occasion Ferrari launched the F40, the ultimate 200 mph supercar—the fastest production car of its time. Successor to the lauded 288 GTO, the F40 arrived as a two-seater, mid-engined coupe with low weight, high power, a race-inspired suspension, corpulent tires, and space-age aerodynamics. The body was designed by Pininfarina using wind tunnel aerodynamics to reduce drag and increase downforce and employing Kevlar panels fused to a tubular frame with carbon fiber doors, hood, and trunk lid. The V8 four-cam, 32-valve engine displaced 2,936 cc and was mounted longitudinally, allowing space for twin water-cooled turbochargers; it produced 20 percent more horsepower than its predecessor. Only 1,311 of the F40 were built and this example (chassis ZFFMN34A2M0087608) was purchased new by the current owner—his first-ever Ferrari and a baptism by fire.

1998 Porsche 993 GT2 R Coupe

1998 Porsche 993 GT2 R Coupe
Class: 1990S BPR & FIA GT RACE CARS (R-09)

* Porsche built the 993 GT2 R specifically to contest the Le Mans series. Although 194 GT2 cars were built, only 80 were strictly for competition. All were rear-wheel drive and featured the 3.6-liter twin turbo flat six engine. The race iteration, as we see here in chassis 048 0021, was stripped down and uprated, with larger brakes and stiffer suspension. This extraordinary example is one of seven “Art Cars” driven at Le Mans by Hervé Poulain, the French race car driver who instigated the Art Car program, which included BMWs by Calder, Lichtenstein, and Warhol. This Porsche was the final Art Car entry by Poulain and features artwork by Georges Wolinski entitled “Naked Lady.” In 1998, the Naked Lady Porsche started 47th on the grid and finished 20th overall and 6th in its class, driven by Poulain, Eric Graham, and Jean-Luc Maury-Laribière.

1970 Mercedes-Benz C 111/II Sports Car

1970 Mercedes-Benz C 111/II Sports Car
Class: WEDGE-SHAPED CONCEPT CARS & PROTOTYPES EARLY (V1-07)

* This prototype from Mercedes-Benz was intended to showcase the company’s leading-edge technology—a platform for its four-rotor Wankel engine. Designed by German engineer Felix Wankel, the rotary engine employed a spinning rotor within a housing that created high performance, but it was low in fuel efficiency and high in exhaust emissions compared to the piston-driven engine. Mercedes built three of these prototypes, each slightly different from its siblings. The exterior design of this car, with its avant-garde styling, was considered revolutionary for Mercedes, and while the C 111 was the perfect vehicle to showcase the company’s advanced engineering and styling prowess, it was more of a design statement than a production template.

By the way, this C 111, presented by Mercedes-Benz Heritage GmbH, included Magnus Walker as a guest driver. If you look closely at the full-size image, you can spot him in the passenger seat riding shotgun!

1975 Lamborghini Countach LP 400 Periscopio

1975 Lamborghini Countach LP 400 Periscopio
Class: WEDGE-SHAPED CONCEPT CARS & PROTOTYPES EARLY (V1-11)

* Originally an air-conditioning and tractor manufacturer, Ferruccio Lamborghini began to build sports cars in Sant’Agata, Bolognese, in 1963. By 1974, the first version of the now-mythical Countach was debuted. The name Countach comes from a Piedmontese word for amazement. Only 150 Countach LP 400s were produced and this car (chassis 1120088) was completed in April 1975. It was the 44th Periscopio built, so named for its rear-view mirrors built into the roof and the subsequent roofline indentation. It was delivered new to Prince Bandar Bin Saud of Saudi Arabia in this striking combination of Tahitian Blue Metallic over tan leather. With its 4.0-liter V12 engine, producing 375 horsepower and a top speed of 180 mph, the LP 400 is considered by many to be the ultimate production car expression of the iconic Italian wedge.

Not on the Tour, But Still Awesome

Ferrari 812 Superfast

This Ferrari 812 Superfast is an awesome grand tourer with a V12 engine producing close to 800 horsepower. I love the aggressive lines, the long hood, and the fastback rear. All the makings of a gorgeous shooting brake!

McLaren P1

McLaren Speedtail

McLaren Senna GTR

The McLarens were out in force along the Tour! These three stood out for a number of reasons: the McLaren P1, the successor to the McLaren F1, one of the greatest road cars of all time, IMO. The McLaren Speedtail, notable for more than 1,000 horsepower, is absolutely gorgeous with its elongated, teardrop-shaped rear end, designed for aero and speed. Finally, the McLaren Senna GTR, finished in a livery that pays tribute to Ayrton Senna, is a track-only variant of the road-legal McLaren Senna hypercar, so seeing it out in the wild is photo-worthy, for sure.

1990 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II

An unmistakable Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II. I love the color.

Pagani Huayra

Pagani Utopia

There were a host of Paganis out as well, and these two were stunners. The first is a Pagani Huayra (successor to Pagani’s Zonda), and the second is the Pagani Utopia, Pagani’s latest hypercar, introduced as a successor to the Huayra. What a great way to enjoy the Tour.

Porsche Carrera GT

This car needs no introduction. However, this particular Porsche Carrera GT was parked up alongside Highway One so the owner could presumably get a view of the Tour. Suffice it to say, my camera lens was momentarily distracted as I shot the ‘modern’ Carrera GT while several Pebble Beach Tour cars passed by. Can you blame me?

* Car Guide of the 2024 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.