PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (November 23, 2024) — At the annual ceremony for the prestigious International Historic Motoring Awards, held 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 make the event possible, and then she emphasized the importance of the cars themselves: “I’m here to represent the cars,” she said. “We can’t do this without them.”
Sandra went on to talk about the importance of caring for the cars and maintaining their authenticity—particularly as new technologies arise that can so easily change things: “We have to be fair to the cars, the history, the people. I look at the restorers and I think, ‘Please be careful. Please keep these cars real. Authenticity is all we have.’”
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 ever to do so—and during the IHMA ceremony, it was named Car of the Year.
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. The presenting sponsor of this notable occasion was Lockton Insurance Brokers.
IHMA Organizers say 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.” And the Restoration of the Year award is “for the best classic car restoration completed since October 2023.” A panel of judges determine 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.”
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. For more information on the Pebble Beach Concours, or to purchase tickets, visit www.pebblebeachconcours.net.
Graphics: International Historic Motoring Awards, with photos from Kimball Studios/Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
About Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
First conducted in 1950, Pebble Beach Concours d’ Elegance® (www.pebblebeachconcours.net) has grown to be the world’s premier celebration of the automobile. Only the most beautiful and historic cars are invited to appear on the famed 18th fairway of Pebble Beach Golf Links®, and connoisseurs of art and style gather to admire these masterpieces. Charitable donations raised by Pebble Beach Concours d’ Elegance® now total over $41 million. Related events include Pebble Beach Tour d’ Elegance® presented by Rolex, Pebble Beach RetroAuto™, Pebble Beach Classic Car Forum™ presented by Alliant Private Client, and Pebble Beach® Auctions presented by Gooding & Company. Pebble Beach®, Pebble Beach Golf Links®, Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance®, Pebble Beach Tour d’ Elegance®, Pebble Beach RetroAuto™, Pebble Beach Classic Car Forum™, and Pebble Beach® Automotive Week are trademarks, service marks and trade dress of Pebble Beach Company. All rights reserved. For more information, please call 831-622-1700 or visit pebblebeachconcours.net.
About Pebble Beach Company
Pebble Beach Company, headquartered in Pebble Beach, Calif., owns and operates the world-famous Pebble Beach Resorts®, including The Lodge at Pebble Beach™, The Inn at Spanish Bay™, and Casa Palmero®. The company also operates five renowned golf courses: Pebble Beach Golf Links®, Spyglass Hill® Golf Course, The Links at Spanish Bay™, Del Monte™ Golf Course, and The Hay. Its other famed properties include scenic 17-Mile Drive®, The Spa at Pebble Beach™ and Pebble Beach Golf Academy™. It annually hosts premier events such as the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Pebble Beach Concours d’ Elegance®, Pebble Beach Food & Wine, TaylorMade Pebble Beach Invitational, and the PURE Insurance Championship Impacting The First Tee. Future site of the 2027, 2032, 2037, and 2044 U.S. Open Championships and the 2035, 2040 and 2048 U.S. Women’s Opens, Pebble Beach Golf Links® has hosted six U.S. Opens, five U.S. Amateurs, one PGA Championship, one U.S. Women’s Open and numerous other tournaments. For reservations or more information, please call 800-654-9300 or visit pebblebeach.com.