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- Internationally the most distinguished showcase for automotive elegance
- Mercedes-Benz presents outstanding vehicles
- Exhibition “125 years inventor of the automobile” provides a glimpse of the past and future
The Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in California, USA, is since 1950 the most distinguished showcase for automotive elegance internationally – unparalleled the enthusiasm and passion of collectors from all over the world who strive to be successful here with their cars. Since the event was initiated, automobiles of the Mercedes-Benz brand have had a regular spot on the lawn in front of the lodge. In addition to more than 120 class victories and special prizes, vehicles from Mercedes-Benz have won the “Best of Show” award several times.
This year, during the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance a number of outstanding vehicles will be presented to the international audience. The Mercedes racing car designed by Wilhelm Maybach in 1906 was one of the most advanced vehicles of its day and features forward-looking details: for instance its six-cylinder engine has overhead camshafts, overhead valves and a dual high-voltage spark plug ignition. Because of its frame design the vehicle has a very low centre of gravity.
The 200 hp Benz of 1909 was given the byname “Blitzen Benz” – Lightning Benz – because of its outstanding performance. Among other things it was the first petrol-powered automobile in the world to post speeds over 200 km/h. The vehicle shown in Pebble Beach is a faithful reproduction using an authentic engine.
Of the supercharged six-cylinder sports cars of the Mercedes-Benz S series, the SSK (W 06 series) is the most exclusive and fascinating model. The model designation stands for “Super-Sport-Kurz” (super-sport-short) and besides emphasising the car's special sportiness also indicates its shortened wheelbase. The SSK dominated the international motorsport scene in the late 1920s and early 1930s.
Special exhibition “125 years inventor of the automobile”
In addition, Mercedes-Benz USA is organising an exhibition in its pavilion at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance to mark the “125 years inventor of the automobile” anniversary. A replica of the Benz Patent Motor Car of 1886 will be on display there, a so-called American Mercedes (1905), a Silver Arrow W 154 Grand Prix racing car (1939), a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL “Gullwing” (W 198, 1954), a Mercedes-Benz 220 SE (W 180, 1958) and a Mercedes-Benz 600 (W 100, 1969). The “Aesthetics 125!” sculpture created by Mercedes-Benz Design opens a window on the future of the brand. Concept car versions of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster and the next generation of the A-Class represent the more immediate future. And the F-Cell Roadster shows how Carl Benz perhaps would have built his Patent Motor Car today – with an environment-friendly electric drive using a fuel cell.
