Elegant Showcase

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【Summary】A rare 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster won Best of Show at the 2023 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. The car, owned by collector Jim Patterson, is one of only three of its kind with a covered spare. It was purchased in 2022 and remains in original condition with only 13,000 miles. The win reinforces the preference for classic, coachbuilt cars from the pre-war era at the concours.

FutureCar Staff Aug 21, 2023 4:20 PM PT

A 1937 Mercedes-Benz Special Roadster took home the prestigious Best of Show prize at the 2023 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. This iconic car, owned by collector Jim Patterson, stood out for its rarity and pristine condition. According to Patterson, the vehicle had never been separated from its drivetrain, never restored, and had only 13,000 miles on it.

The 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster is one of only three Long-Tail Special Roadsters with a covered spare that still exist worldwide. Its advanced engineering, featuring a high-power supercharged straight-eight, makes it an exquisite example of Streamline Moderne styling from the Classic era.

Patterson had acquired the car in early 2022 through an RM Sotheby's auction. While the vehicle was complete, Patterson's team worked diligently to perfect every aspect of it. Remarkably, no parts needed to be ordered or made.

The Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance has a tradition of awarding uniquely designed pinnacle iterations of Classic era cars. This year's Best of Show winner perfectly embodies this trend, reflecting the years leading up to the Second World War with its special, coachbuilt design and an imminent menace.

Ken Gross, a veteran Pebble Beach judge and automotive author, expressed his admiration for the winning car, stating that "historic elegance prevails." Despite the competition being incredibly tight, this vehicle was a breathtaking example deserving of the top prize.

While the future may bring different types of cars to win Best of Show, the passion for owning, maintaining, and showcasing these rolling sculptures remains strong. Whether it's a 1937 Mercedes-Benz Special Roadster or a more modern vehicle like a 1978 Stutz Blackhawk or a 2005 Mitsuoka Orochi Nude-Top, Pebble Beach will continue to draw crowds of enthusiasts who appreciate these paragons of automotive art.