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Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance 2014: 10 best cars

We pick our top 10 best cars from the 2014 Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance

by: Auto Express team

18 Aug 2014

The finest classic cars in the world gathered together for the 64th annual Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance in Carmel, California this weekend at the climax of the Monterey Car Week. Historic machines lined up on the famous 18th hole of the Pebble Beach Golf Links to compete for prizes in 27 categories ranging from early steam cars to postwar sports racing. In total 200 classics gathered at the event with cars coming from all over the world to compete.

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The extensive judging panel included Dr Ian Robertson, BMW member of the board of management, Jaguar's design chief Ian Callum and Sir Stirling Moss. Cars aren’t just rated on their looks alone. They also have to prove themselves fully operational. So as part of the judging procedure engines are started, horns tested, lights checked and various features such as convertible roofs scrutinised to ensure they are fully operational.

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Following this rigorous securitisation of all the competitors on show, the judges named the overall winner of the 64th Annual Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance to be the 1954 Ferrari 375 MM Scaglietti Coupe.

With classic cars of this quality, however, it’s very much a matter of personal taste so here are our favourite 10 cars from the 2014 Pebble Beach Concours event.

Under its long bonnet the big Chrysler used a 5.3-litre engine, which produced 130bhp and drove the rear wheels via a three-speed manual gearbox. A stunning example, this car has bespoke salt and pepper shakers in its opulent passenger
Under its long bonnet the big Chrysler used a 5.3-litre engine, which produced 130bhp and drove the rear wheels via a three-speed manual gearbox. A stunning example, this car has bespoke salt and pepper shakers in its opulent passenger
Under its long bonnet the big Chrysler used a 5.3-litre engine, which produced 130bhp and drove the rear wheels via a three-speed manual gearbox. A stunning example, this car has bespoke salt and pepper shakers in its opulent passenger
Under its long bonnet the big Chrysler used a 5.3-litre engine, which produced 130bhp and drove the rear wheels via a three-speed manual gearbox. A stunning example, this car has bespoke salt and pepper shakers in its opulent passenger
Under its long bonnet the big Chrysler used a 5.3-litre engine, which produced 130bhp and drove the rear wheels via a three-speed manual gearbox. A stunning example, this car has bespoke salt and pepper shakers in its opulent passenger
Packing a 6.5-litre straight six engine under its bonnet, this bright blue version of Bentley’s Speed Six could deliver 180bhp. Factory racing cars with 200hp won Le Mans in 1929 and 1930.
Packing a 6.5-litre straight six engine under its bonnet, this bright blue version of Bentley’s Speed Six could deliver 180bhp. Factory racing cars with 200hp won Le Mans in 1929 and 1930. 
Packing a 6.5-litre straight six engine under its bonnet, this bright blue version of Bentley’s Speed Six could deliver 180bhp. Factory racing cars with 200hp won Le Mans in 1929 and 1930. 
The pinnacle of luxury travel, this Rolls-Royce has a retractable roof to offer the passengers top down motoring. Notice how the Spirit of Ecstasy bonnet mascot swivels out of the way of the engine bay covers. 
The pinnacle of luxury travel, this Rolls-Royce has a retractable roof to offer the passengers top down motoring. Notice how the Spirit of Ecstasy bonnet mascot swivels out of the way of the engine bay covers. 
The pinnacle of luxury travel, this Rolls-Royce has a retractable roof to offer the passengers top down motoring. Notice how the Spirit of Ecstasy bonnet mascot swivels out of the way of the engine bay covers. 
The pinnacle of luxury travel, this Rolls-Royce has a retractable roof to offer the passengers top down motoring. Notice how the Spirit of Ecstasy bonnet mascot swivels out of the way of the engine bay covers. 
The pinnacle of luxury travel, this Rolls-Royce has a retractable roof to offer the passengers top down motoring. Notice how the Spirit of Ecstasy bonnet mascot swivels out of the way of the engine bay covers. 
It’s nice to see a Testa Rossa that isn’t painted red. This particular model is owned by Lord Bamford, chairman of JCB. Under its long bonnet is a 3.0-litre V12 from the 250 GT only tuned to 300bhp thanks to six twin-choke carburetors.
It’s nice to see a Testa Rossa that isn’t painted red. This particular model is owned by Lord Bamford, chairman of JCB. Under its long bonnet is a 3.0-litre V12 from the 250 GT only tuned to 300bhp thanks to six twin-choke carburetors.
It’s nice to see a Testa Rossa that isn’t painted red. This particular model is owned by Lord Bamford, chairman of JCB. Under its long bonnet is a 3.0-litre V12 from the 250 GT only tuned to 300bhp thanks to six twin-choke carburetors.
It’s nice to see a Testa Rossa that isn’t painted red. This particular model is owned by Lord Bamford, chairman of JCB. Under its long bonnet is a 3.0-litre V12 from the 250 GT only tuned to 300bhp thanks to six twin-choke carburetors.
Shipped over from St Mortiz, Switzerland, for the event, this XK120 is a land Speed record car. In 1952 it was driven at 172mph, its aerodynamic enhancements, such as that Plexiglas bubble roof, helping it achieve this top speed. 
Shipped over from St Mortiz, Switzerland, for the event, this XK120 is a land Speed record car. In 1952 it was driven at 172mph, its aerodynamic enhancements, such as that Plexiglas bubble roof, helping it achieve this top speed. 
Shipped over from St Mortiz, Switzerland, for the event, this XK120 is a land Speed record car. In 1952 it was driven at 172mph, its aerodynamic enhancements, such as that Plexiglas bubble roof, helping it achieve this top speed. 
Shipped over from St Mortiz, Switzerland, for the event, this XK120 is a land Speed record car. In 1952 it was driven at 172mph, its aerodynamic enhancements, such as that Plexiglas bubble roof, helping it achieve this top speed
At eight inches longer than the original GT40 Le Mans racer, the MKIII was designed for street use. That extra length afforded some luggage space in the rear while the cockpit featured a ventilation system and interior trim. The gear s
At eight inches longer than the original GT40 Le Mans racer, the MKIII was designed for street use. That extra length afforded some luggage space in the rear while the cockpit featured a ventilation system and interior trim. The gear s
At eight inches longer than the original GT40 Le Mans racer, the MKIII was designed for street use. That extra length afforded some luggage space in the rear while the cockpit featured a ventilation system and interior trim. The gear s
The Italian firm is celebrating its centenary this year and so a specific Maserati category was included at this year’s Concours d’Elegance. This car features a 150bhp twin cam engine to ensure it goes as good as it looks. 
The Italian firm is celebrating its centenary this year and so a specific Maserati category was included at this year’s Concours d’Elegance. This car features a 150bhp twin cam engine to ensure it goes as good as it looks. 
The Italian firm is celebrating its centenary this year and so a specific Maserati category was included at this year’s Concours d’Elegance. This car features a 150bhp twin cam engine to ensure it goes as good as it looks.  
Based on the 57 only 17 Atalantes were built, four of which are in the Cite de L'Automobile Museum in France. The two-door coupe is signified by its one-piece windscreen and lack of fin.
Based on the 57 only 17 Atalantes were built, four of which are in the Cite de L'Automobile Museum in France. The two-door coupe is signified by its one-piece windscreen and lack of fin. 
Based on the 57 only 17 Atalantes were built, four of which are in the Cite de L'Automobile Museum in France. The two-door coupe is signified by its one-piece windscreen and lack of fin. 
Based on the 57 only 17 Atalantes were built, four of which are in the Cite de L'Automobile Museum in France. The two-door coupe is signified by its one-piece windscreen and lack of fin. 
A stinking prototype created by the design house Pininfarina it was fort shown at the 1967 Frankfurt Motor Show. It features gulling doors and a longitudinal V6 engine.
A stinking prototype created by the design house Pininfarina it was fort shown at the 1967 Frankfurt Motor Show. It features gulling doors and a longitudinal V6 engine.
A stinking prototype created by the design house Pininfarina it was fort shown at the 1967 Frankfurt Motor Show. It features gulling doors and a longitudinal V6 engine.
A stinking prototype created by the design house Pininfarina it was fort shown at the 1967 Frankfurt Motor Show. It features gulling doors and a longitudinal V6 engine.
This car wasn't actually competing in the event, however we've included it in our round up to share its sheer beauty with you. Just look at the cut glass bonnet mascot.
This car wasn't actually competing in the event, however we've included it in our round up to share its sheer beauty with you. Just look at the cut glass bonnet mascot. 
This car wasn't actually competing in the event, however we've included it in our round up to share its sheer beauty with you. Just look at the cut glass bonnet mascot. 
This car wasn't actually competing in the event, however we've included it in our round up to share its sheer beauty with you. Just look at the cut glass bonnet mascot.