February 15, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2005 Pebble Beach Concours Winners Named
"Best of the Best" at Louis Vuitton Classic Awards
1937 DELAGE D8-120 S RECEIVES LVC CONCOURS AWARD
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (February 15, 2006) — The 1937 Delage D8-120 S Pourtout Aéro Coupé that won Best of Show at the 2005 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance was named “Best of the Best” at the Louis Vuitton Classic Awards conducted this past week in Paris, France. The Delage, owned by Sam and Emily Mann from Englewood, New Jersey, was selected by an international panel of judges to receive the first Louis Vuitton Classic Concours Award. The field of competitors consisted of winners from many ’05 international concours, including Villa d’Este, Amelia Island, the Cavallino Classic, Meadow Brook and The Quail.
“The 1937 Delage, with coachwork by (Marcel) Pourtout based on a design by (Georges) Paulin, is the epitome of French elegance,” said Christian Philippsen, chief judge for the Louis Vuitton Classic Awards and publisher of Automobile Year. “Its proportions are perfectly balanced, its volume gracefully sculpted. It also represents an advanced aerodynamic concept for the period.
“The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, which I discovered in the mid-‘80s was the inspiration for our Louis Vuitton car events, and we are delighted that the first Louis Vuitton Classic Concours Award goes to the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Best of Show winner.”
The judging panel of designers and automotive aficionados was headed by Leonardo Fioravanti as well as Philippsen, and included Chris Bangle (BMW), Luc Donckerwolke (Lamborghini, Seat), Wahei Hirai (Toyota), Patrick le Quément (Renault), Flavio Manzoni (Fiat/Lancia), François Melcion (Rétromobile), Shiro Nakamura (Nissan), Ken Okuyama (Pininfarina), Robert Peugeot (PSA Peugeot Citroën), Peter Pfeiffer (Mercedes-Benz) and Roberto Piatti (Bertone).
“Every year our Pebble Beach Concours judges strive to ensure that all the cars on our field are evaluated for originality and authenticity and for exceptional styling, design and elegance,” said Sandra Kasky Button, Pebble Beach Concours Chairman. “The Louis Vuitton Classic Concours Award helps validate our efforts and is a testament to the restoration labors of Sam and Emily Mann. Contributing to the preservation of automotive history is our goal, and the Mann’s beautiful Delage is confirmed as one of the world’s classic rolling masterpieces.”
The first Louis Vuitton Classic Awards consisted of two honors: the LVC Concours Award, presented to the Mann’s Delage, and the LVC Concept Award, presented to the Maserati Birdcage 75 designed by Pininfarina. The latter vehicle was also showcased along the 18th fairway of Pebble Beach Golf Links® at the 2005 Pebble Beach Concours.
Louis Vuitton began manufacturing trunks in Paris in 1854, and the company he started went on to become one of the world's most famous makers of luxury goods, known especially for its designer luggage pattern: a beige-on-chestnut monogram, "LV.” The company also boasts a strong tradition of promoting the motoring lifestyle and automotive excellence. For nearly two decades, Louis Vuitton has sponsored concours and rallies around the world. The Louis Vuitton Classic Awards are its newest offering to enthusiasts.
First conducted in 1950, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is an international gathering of automotive enthusiasts for “a celebration of the automobile” held annually at The Lodge at Pebble Beach™ on the Monterey Peninsula. The Concours, which in 2005 attracted entrants from 26 states and 15 countries, combines a scenic location -- the famed 18th hole at Pebble Beach Golf Links® along the Pacific Ocean -- with the opportunity to view rarely seen examples of automotive style, performance and history. The annual affair also includes a series of auxiliary activities, including the Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance around 17-Mile Drive and Carmel, RetroAuto, the Blackhawk Collection on View and The Pebble Beach Auction conducted by Gooding & Company. Feature marques for 2006 include early 20th century style and technology leading French manufacturers Voisin and Delahaye, and cars that raced in the Pebble Beach Sports Car Road Races from 1950 to 1956. The 2006 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance will be held on Sunday, August 20.
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Contact:
PCGCampbell
Jeff Green
(310) 224-4961
jgreen@pcgcampbell.com
Note to Media: To obtain high-resolution photography of the Delage, please visit the photo library.
