Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance 2012: Best in Show and Event Highlights
The 2012 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance brought over 200 rare classics and modern showpieces to California, with a 1928 Mercedes-Benz 680S Saoutchik Torpedo taking top honours.
A 1928 Mercedes-Benz 680S Saoutchik Torpedo Roadster claimed Best in Show at the 2012 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, capping a field of more than 200 collector cars displayed on the Pebble Beach Golf Links on 19 August. Owners Paul and Judy Andrews of Texas won the event’s top prize with their rare pre-war Mercedes, restored to concours standard and finished in its original two-tone blue and silver.
The Pebble Beach Concours is regarded as the world’s most prestigious collector car event, drawing entrants and spectators from around the globe. The 2012 event featured 28 judged classes, ranging from early motoring pioneers to post-war sports and luxury cars, as well as special classes for notable marques and coachbuilders.
Notable entries and debuts
Alongside the historic Mercedes, the show field included rare Duesenbergs, Bugattis and Ferraris. Modern manufacturers also used Pebble Beach to unveil new models and concepts. BMW presented the Zagato Roadster, while Bugatti displayed the Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse Jean Pierre Wimille Legend Edition. McLaren brought its P1 supercar for a preview, and Fiat showed the 500C GQ Edition. The event’s mix of pre-war classics, post-war icons and contemporary debuts reflected its status as a showcase for automotive design and engineering.
- 1928 Mercedes-Benz 680S Saoutchik Torpedo Roadster (Best in Show)
- BMW Zagato Roadster (debut)
- Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse Jean Pierre Wimille Legend Edition
- McLaren P1 (preview appearance)
- Fiat 500C GQ Edition (shown)
Auctions held alongside the concours also drew attention, with rare classics such as a 1931 Duesenberg Model J Coupe attracting strong bids. The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse was sold at the event for $2.5 million, underlining Pebble Beach’s appeal to collectors and investors.
Visual highlights from the event
The concours field delivered a mix of period-correct restorations, original survivors and bespoke coachbuilt specials. Photographers captured the 1928 Mercedes-Benz 680S’s dramatic blue and silver lines, the BMW Zagato Roadster’s hand-finished aluminium bodywork, and the Bugatti Veyron’s distinctive two-tone paint. Crowds gathered around the McLaren P1, which previewed the brand’s next-generation hypercar. The event’s gallery included both close-up details and wide shots of the cars arrayed against the Pacific backdrop.
For a closer look at some of the year’s most notable debuts and auction results, see the dedicated coverage of the BMW Zagato Roadster’s unveiling and the McLaren P1’s appearance at Pebble Beach.
Why Pebble Beach matters to collectors
A win at Pebble Beach can elevate a car’s reputation and value. The event’s strict judging standards and international attention make it a benchmark for concours restoration. Manufacturers also use the occasion to reach high-profile buyers and enthusiasts, often timing concept unveilings or limited-edition launches to coincide with the show.
The 2012 edition reinforced Pebble Beach’s position as a focal point for the classic and collector car world, combining historic preservation with new model launches and record-setting auction sales.
