Top Thrilling Vehicles Showcased at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance Event
The 2025 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, considered the world’s premier classic car event, showcased a dazzling array of historically significant vehicles last month. Among the standout exhibits was the 1933 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Brewster Henley Roadster, a testament to the golden age of automotive engineering and design.
Hailing from the Lehrman Collection in Palm Beach, Florida, this Rolls-Royce masterpiece was displayed in a class dedicated to pre-war luxury vehicles. The Phantom II, a symbol of exceptional craftsmanship, powerful straight-six engine, and refined ride quality, represented the pinnacle of Rolls-Royce engineering from the early 1930s.
The "Brewster Henley Roadster" moniker refers to the custom coachwork built by Brewster & Co., a renowned American coachbuilder known for crafting bespoke bodies on Rolls-Royce chassis. The Henley Roadster body style, with its elegant, sporty styling, combined luxury and performance aesthetics typical of its era, embodying the epitome of exclusive wealth and status.
The 1933 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Brewster Henley Roadster's presence at Pebble Beach underscores its importance as a collector's masterpiece and its preservation as a significant piece of automotive history. The show highlights extraordinary vehicles known for their design, rarity, and condition, confirming the 1933 Brewster Henley Roadster's status as both a technological and artistic icon of pre-war motoring.
Other notable entries at the 2025 Concours d'Elegance included the 1930 Cadillac 452 Murphy Convertible Sedan, one of the first cars with Cadillac's V-16 engine. This Cadillac, originally owned by Charles S. Howard Jr., whose father was a wealthy car dealer and racehorse breeder and the owner of Seabiscuit, was restored in the mid-1990s and showcased at Pebble Beach for the first time in 1997.
The Best of Show at the 2025 event was the 1924 Hispano-Suiza H6C Nieuport-Astra Torpedo, a stunning example of Art Deco design. This car, nicknamed the "Tulipwood" Torpedo, was built by aeronautic outfit Nieuport-Astra and originally owned by aviator and racer André Dubonnet. Prior to its victory at Pebble Beach, the Hispano-Suiza H6C was part of Monterey Car Week in 2022, when it crossed the auction block through RM Sotheby's for $9.245 million.
The S Type, a creation of British automaker Invicta, also made a strong impression at the Concours d'Elegance. Known for its "low chassis," which made it quicker for on-road racing and improved handling, the S Type is considered Invicta's finest creation. Only 77 S Types were made, making each one a rare find.
The final four cars in competition at the 2025 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, in addition to the Best of Show winner, were a 1939 Maybach SW38 Spohn Sport Zweisitzer, a 1933 Invicta 41⁄2 Litre S Type Corsica Drophead Coupé, and a 1956 Maserati 200SI Fantuzzi Open Sports Racer. Each of these vehicles showcased the pinnacle of engineering and design from their respective eras, further highlighting the prestige of the event.
The 1927 Delage Type 15 S8 Grand Prix, a car with a rich racing history, was another highlight of the show. This particular example took 7th at the Indy 500 in 1929 and is the only original example known to still exist. Powered by a high-revving V-8 and based on a previous design powered by a 2.0-liter V-12, this Delage was a testament to the innovation and craftsmanship of its time.
The 2025 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance was a celebration of automotive history, showcasing some of the most significant and rare vehicles from the past century. The event underscored the enduring allure of classic cars, serving as a reminder of the artistry, technology, and passion that have defined the automotive industry for generations.
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