The Duesenberg SJ Special - also Known as the Mormon Meteor - was named 'Best of Show' by the judges at the 57th Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

With photos by Tim Scott

The winning car was a supercharged speedster that was raced by Utah’s Ab Jenkins (the former mayor of Salt Lake City) and then driven on the city streets. The car, which set a 24-hour speed record (135.58 miles per hour) in 1935, sold for a record $4.45 million at the 2004 Pebble Beach Auction conducted by Gooding & Company.

The Concours competition included judging in 24 classes, and featured cars from 30 states and 12 countries. Proceeds from raffles, auctions, sponsorships and gate receipts helped contribute more than $1 million to charity for the second consecutive year bringing to well over $10 million during the event’s history.

“The Pebble Beach Concours has truly become ‘the world’s concours,’” says Concours Chairman Sandra Kasky Button. “In addition to enthusiasts, sponsors and media from around the globe, this year we welcomed exotic, historic vehicles from as far away as Hong Kong, Australia, Italy, Switzerland, Netherlands and Argentina.”



The featured automotive marques for 2007 were Aston Martin – with four classes, including a special exhibition of historic Astons and three postwar classes – and the Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg group. (The James Bond Aston Martin DB5 and Duesenbergs once owned by Clark Gable and Gary Cooper were among the most well-known vehicles.) Additionally, the historic hot rod class celebrated the 75th anniversary of the iconic ’32 Ford (known as “The Deuce”), and the “10-plus Club” focused on cars with engines displacing 10 litres or more. Overall, nearly 200 classic vehicles, including the event’s oldest competitor – an 1897 Henriod – competed in the annual classic car showcase along the Monterey coastline.



The 58th Pebble Beach Concours is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 17, 2008 and will include a celebration of the centennial of General Motors and the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run. Please CLICK HERE tp see the full results of Class, and Special Awards Winners.

Story: Classic Driver
Photos: Tim Scott - Strictly Copyright