Categories: This Day

April 19 , 1953 – Pebble Beach breaks 100 entries

Concours d’Elegance. Just saying it sounds fancy. Visitors to the opening of the annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on this day in 1953 were the first to see a Concours featuring more than 100 vehicle entries. The first Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance was held in 1950, in conjunction of the first Pebble Beach Road Race. The show then, as it is now, is reserved for the best of the best, drawing vehicles and people from all over the world. It is said to be the most enthralling collection of automobiles at any one place at one time. 

Above: Peter Clowes’ Concours winning 1953 Austin Healey 100. Top 1950 Edwards R-26 Special, the first winner of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Photos via theconcoursstore(dot)com.

The Best of Show winner of the inaugural show was Sterling Edwards and his custom built 1950 Edwards R-26 Special Sport Roadster. The winner of the 1953 show, which started today and drew for the first time more than 100 entries, was Peter Clowes in his 1953 Austin Healey 100.

Brian Corey

Recent Posts

June 3, 2013 – the Legacy of Infiniti Founder Bill Bruce

Twelve years ago today, the automotive world lost one of its quieter giants. Bill Bruce,…

10 hours ago

June 2, 1992 – National Corvette Museum breaks ground

By RyanEichlerNCM The National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky, broke ground on June 2,…

2 days ago

May 27, 1937 – The Golden Gate Bridge opens

Fishermen on Baker Beach enjoy the view of the Golden Gate Bridge under construction, San…

1 week ago

What are the Essential Parts of a Car?

A car is more than just a body with wheels. It’s made of many systems…

1 week ago

May 22, 1969 – Racing movie “Winning,” starring Paul Newman, debuts

Action racing drama "Winning" starring Paul Newman and directed by James Goldstone debuted on this…

2 weeks ago

May 21, 2003 – Automobile builder Alejandro de Tomaso dies

Alejandro de Tomaso was born in Argentina in 1928 to a politically prominent family. In…

2 weeks ago