Pebble Beach 2016: Dawn patrol on the 18th fairway

1/18

A 1936 Lancia Astura Cabriolet owned by Richard Mattei of Paradise Valley, Ariz., won best of show at the 2016 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

2/18

Early-morning spectators watch the cars drive by during dawn patrol at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

3/18

Yvette Wolfe of Austin, Texas, wears a striking hat at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

4/18

A 1935 Aston Martin Ulster Sport owned by Federico Alvarez Castillo of Buenos Aires makes its way past spectators during dawn patrol at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

5/18

David Pfister of Fremont wipes down his 2001 Lamborghini Diablo 6.0 during Concorso Italiano at the Black Horse golf course in Seaside, Calif., during Monterey Car Week.

(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

6/18

A 1938 Delahaye 165 Figoni & Falaschi Cabriolet from the Robert M. Lee Automobile Collection in Sparks, Nev., drives past the McLaren suite to get into position at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

7/18

A 1965 Alfa Romeo Sprint Speciale on display at Concorso Italiano at the Black Horse golf course in Seaside, Calif., during Monterey Car Week.

(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

8/18

A 1935 BMW 315/1 Roadster owned by Karra L. Canum of San Jose makes its way past spectators during dawn patrol to its position at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

9/18

Docents gather for a tour of the grounds at dawn during the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

10/18

An American LaFrance transporter carrying a Ferrari Pininfarina on display during Concorso Italiano at the Black Horse golf course in Seaside, Calif., during Monterey Car Week.

(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

11/18

Cars begin lining up at dawn for the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

12/18

Spectators gather for dawn patrol at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Many wait for hours to catch the first glimpses of show participants driving to their positions.

(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

13/18

Pebble Beach landscapers Ramon Castellanos, left, and Drake Cruz hang signs before the start of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

14/18

A Fiat 124 Spider is displayed near a bunker at the Black Horse golf course for Concorso Italiano in Seaside, Calif., during Monterey Car Week.

(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

15/18

White-gloved assistants at the Portola Hotel and Spa in Monterey, Calif., during Monterey Car Week.

(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

16/18

A rare 1957 Fiat 1200 TV Trasformabile with original parts is shown at Concorso Italiano at the Black Horse golf course in Seaside, Calif., during Monterey Car Week.

(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

17/18

A 1952 Mercedes-Benz 220 Cabriolet A “Rose Garden” is positioned in the staging area at the Portola Hotel and Spa in Monterey, Calif., during Monterey Car Week.

(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

18/18

A 1958 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham moves onto the stage at the Portola Hotel and Spa in Monterey, Calif., during Monterey Car Week.

(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

By Charles Fleming

Aug. 21, 2016 2:30 PM PT

On the last day of Monterey Car Week, the faithful enthusiasts braved fog and chilly temperatures to stand at sunrise and watch the classic, vintage and antique automobiles roll across the grass at the historic Pebble Beach golf course, to take their places for the highly competitive Concours d’Elegance.

That annual Sunday automotive beauty show, begun in 1950, crowns the multiple-day car week festivities, which include rallies, races and auctions, as well as other competitive pageants at the Quail, Concorso Italiano and the light-hearted Concours d’LeMons.

But the Concours d’Elegance is the top draw for the top cars. The event attracts the most dedicated collectors, preservers and restorers of classic cars. A body of respected judges determines prizes in two dozen categories. A win or honorable mention at the Concours d’Elegance can add millions to the value of a classic car.

When it’s over, most of the participants, sometimes derided as “trailer queens” by classic car fans who believe all cars should be driven, will return home in moving vans.

Many will be back next year, hoping for the prize that eluded them Sunday.

Autos

Charles Fleming

Charles Fleming writes about automobiles and motorcycles for the Los Angeles Times’ Business section. He also writes the urban hiking column LA Walks. A former staff writer for Newsweek, Variety and the Los Angeles Herald Examiner, he is the author of the Los Angeles Times bestseller “High Concept: Don Simpson and the Hollywood Culture of Excess,” the New York Times bestseller “My Lobotomy,” and “Secret Stairs, A Walking Guide to the Historic Staircases of Los Angeles” and its sequel, “Secret Walks: A Walking Guide to the Hidden Trails of Los Angeles.”

Pebble Beach 2016: Dawn patrol on the 18th fairway

More From the Los Angeles Times