At the annual ceremony for the prestigious International Historic Motoring Awards in London on Friday night, the 73rd Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance was named the Motoring Event of the Year.
In accepting the award, Concours Chairman Sandra Button recognized the team of 1,200 volunteers who made the event possible and emphasized the importance of the cars themselves: “I’m here to represent the cars,” she said. We can’t do this without them.”
Concours Chairman Sandra Button
Sandra talked about the importance of caring for cars and maintaining their authenticity—mainly as new technologies arise that can so easily change things: “We have to be fair to cars, history, and people. I look at the restorers, and I think, ‘Please be careful. Please keep these cars real. Authenticity is all we have.’”
A first for a Preservation Class entry
She also recognized enthusiasts like Fritz Burkard of Switzerland, “who brings his cars to life with his passion.” Burkard’s 1934 Bugatti Type 59 Sports took the top award at the 2024 Pebble Beach Concours—it was the first preservation car to do so—and during the IHMA ceremony, it was named Car of the Year.
Other award recipients
One of the Concours’ Best of Show Nominees, a 1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport Saoutchik Fastback Coupé owned by Robert Kudela of the Czech Republic, was named the Restoration of the Year. And Bruce Meyer, a longtime Concours advisor, was recognized for Personal Achievement. The awards also recognized many other friends of the Concours.
The International Historic Motoring Awards are offered by the team at Hothouse Media, which publishes Magneto and Octane magazines. Lockton Insurance Brokers was the presenting sponsor of this notable occasion.
IHMA organizers announced the Motoring Event of the Year award goes to “the world’s best motoring event, whether a festival, concours, one-marque gathering, anniversary celebration or other collector car show.” The Restoration of the Year award is “for the best classic car restoration completed since October 2023.” A panel of judges determines these and many other winners. The Car of the Year award, chosen by an online public vote, goes to “the car — classic or new — that has made the greatest impact on the collector car world this year.”
Looking ahead
The 74th Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance will take place on Sunday, August 17, 2025, and will celebrate the centennials of Invicta, Chrysler, and Moretti, the creations of Virgil Exner, the 75th anniversary of Formula 1, and Japanese Concepts & Prototypes—with other features to come.
More Information
For more information on the Pebble Beach Concours or to purchase tickets, go HERE.
Above content © 2024 Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG reviewed and edited by Rex McAfee
