The 70th Annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance has raised an impressive $1.75 million for local charities. The event’s storied association with automotive history has made the event what some call the definitive Concours. This year’s Best of Show winner was a 1938 Mercedes-Benz 540K Autobahn Kurier owned by The Keller Collection at The Pyramids in Petaluma, California. This particular 540K was joined by 38 former Best of Show winners at the Pebble Beach Golf Links’ lawn. “This Best of Show winner embodies so many sensational features—styling, speed, and performance. Unveiled at the Berlin Auto Show and built to rule the new German Autobahn in 1938, this rare automobile is truly an example of beautiful German design,” said Concours Chairman Sandra Button. The 540K, which was restored in 2006, faced significant competition from ‘Joanie & Scott Kriens’ 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Corsica Drophead Coupé; the 1966 Ferrari 365 P Pininfarina Berlinetta Speciale shown by RQ Collections; and Jonathan & Wendy Segal’s 1956 Maserati A6G Zagato Coupé.’
Origins of the 540K’s design begin in the 1920s with the introduction of motorways across Germany. The translation for Autobahn Kurier is Highway Kurier, the model was celebrated upon its release for revolutionary engineering and elongated design elements with nods to the legendary Silver Arrow Grand Prix cars. According to the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, Mercedes produced just two 540K Autobahn Kuriers. This particular example owned by The Keller Collection is the only surviving of the two produced, though most astonishingly is the fact that The Keller example includes its original equipment. The Best of Show award to the 540K, follows two previous wins for the Keller Collection at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. The Keller Collection have claimed ‘a 1986 win with their 1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K Special Roadster and a 2001 win with their 1930 Mercedes-Benz SS Erdmann & Rossi Roadster.’ “It’s my Triple Crown,” said Arturo Keller. “This is the only remaining car of its kind, and I am the second owner from new. It’s a very special car, and we are very happy.” This 540K marks the ninth win for Mercedes-Benz at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, effectively tying the marque with Bugatti for the most Best of Show wins at Pebble Beach.
After raising $1.75 million this year, the Pebble Beach Concours will have now provided over $32 million to charitable causes since its inception. Via distributions made through the Pebble Beach Company Foundation these proceeds will benefit more than 95 local organizations which work to better the lives of over 10,000 children in Monterey County. The 71st annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance will honor the Lincoln and Talbot-Lago Grand Sport on Sunday, August 21st, 2022. For more information on the Pebble Beach Concours visit www.pebblebeachconcours.net
Images courtesy of: The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
