Pebble Beach Concours 2009
Silver Arrows and milestone pre-war MBs
On manicured greens and under typically foggy skies, the 2009 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance again dazzled visitors with glorious cars, elegant participants and special displays. 4.5 liter Bentleys were celebrated as was Sir Stirling Moss’ 80th birthday and an historic display of the golden age of Grand Prix racing cars lined the quay overlooking a placid Monterey Bay.
With a diverse and highly desirable global lineup of passenger cars and great successes in the competition arena over the last few years, one could argue Mercedes-Benz is certainly at the top of its game. We have to look back to the decade spanning 1929-1939 for a similar combination of class defining passenger cars and racing success. Pebble Beach 2009 allowed us to wander through the icons of that era with a spectacular group of Grand Prix “titans” on display and five glorious road cars.
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roy spencer/editor mercedesheritage
photography/mercedesheritage
Mercedes-Benz at Pebble Beach Concours
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This 1937 540K Cabriolet A was delivered new to Milan, Italy. -
Two fabulous 1938/1939 W154s were on display. These cars dominated European Grand Prix events leading up to WW2. -
The inspiration for the Gullwing, the 1952 W194 series 300SLs returned Mercedes-Benz to racing success in the early '50s. -
6.8 liter 1928 Model S Saoutckik Cabriolet was the 1928 Los Angeles show car. -
1954 W196 Streamliner was conceived for the high speed circuits. Three liter straight eight produced 290hp. -
All conquering W25 Grand Prix car began Silver Arrow era with Eifelrennen victory in 1934. -
1959 300SL roadster contested the "Postwar Preservation Through 1967" class. -
Unrestored, supercharged 1929 SSK with brief sporting coachwork by British coachbuilder Carlton exudes charisma. -
This 1933 380K Special Roadster features custom coachwork by Erdmann & Rossi. Shown by Ken & Patty McBride. -
Sunshine peeking through to illuminate the brazen SLR Stirling Moss Edition.