Concours d'Elegance Part I

Carol Freshley August 25, 2016

The Concours d'Elegance in now considered the premier car show of pre and postwar automobiles along with the latest concept car designs. It is a charitable event held every August at the Pebble Beach Gold Links (18th hole). The show was started in 1950 and has grown every year in both prominence and the number of participants. Cars are judged for authenticity, history, style and function. Cars are grouped into classes based on manufacturer, country of origin, era, and coach builder. Thousands of spectators from all over the world attend the event. Locally, this event is referred to as Car Week. In exchange for a great contribution to the local economy, residents get to enjoy lack of parking, street closures and traffic jams in their otherwise quiet little town.

Cars arrived at the wee hours, just as blue light was trying to get up over the fog.  Each car is escorted to their 'parking' spot on the green and must park within markings on the well tendered grass.  No exceptions! — Cars arrived at the wee hours, just as blue light was trying to get up over the fog. Each car is escorted to their 'parking' spot on the green and must park within markings on the well tendered grass. No exceptions!

Race cars were an exception to the rule that each car has to drive onto the green under its own power and no cars are allowed to park overnight.  Race cars require a considerable amount of time to warm up and cannot wait in line without over he… — Race cars were an exception to the rule that each car has to drive onto the green under its own power and no cars are allowed to park overnight. Race cars require a considerable amount of time to warm up and cannot wait in line without over heating. They were allowed to be towed, if necessary, and may bypass the entrance lines by parking on the green overnight.

Tom was on the 18th hole well before the official opening time.  He took advantage of photographing cars as they came in and once they were set up.  Later the presence of a huge crowd would make photography more difficult.  This is a … — Tom was on the 18th hole well before the official opening time. He took advantage of photographing cars as they came in and once they were set up. Later the presence of a huge crowd would make photography more difficult. This is a 1951 Delahaye 235 with Chabron coachwork. Both Delahaye and Chabron were featured at this year's Concours.

Giorgetto Guigiaro formed ItalDesign, started construction of this car and delivered the prototype to Turin Motor Show 40 days later.  It is built on a Bizzarrini P538 chassis #3. — Giorgetto Guigiaro formed ItalDesign, started construction of this car and delivered the prototype to Turin Motor Show 40 days later. It is built on a Bizzarrini P538 chassis #3.

The ocean and golf course made excellent backgrounds.  This is another Delahaye. — The ocean and golf course made excellent backgrounds. This is another Delahaye.

Arriving! This cute number is a Delahaye roadster.

This is a Delahaye with coachwork by Chabron.

Same car as above with a different profile.

Participants dressed to match the era of their cars.  This is a German made Horch.  It is a part of the Auto Union Company, another featured marque this year.  The modern Audi evolved from the Auto Union Company. — Participants dressed to match the era of their cars. This is a German made Horch. It is a part of the Auto Union Company, another featured marque this year. The modern Audi evolved from the Auto Union Company.

One of the featured marques, this is a Bizzarrini.  Many of these low production Italian models were made strictly for racing in their day. They were acquired by collectors and restored for street driving. — One of the featured marques, this is a Bizzarrini. Many of these low production Italian models were made strictly for racing in their day. They were acquired by collectors and restored for street driving.

Perfectly lined up per specs and instructions, very disciplined!

This is a two seat Indy 500 car, another feature this year.  The extra seat was for the mechanic before the days of pit stops. — This is a two seat Indy 500 car, another feature this year. The extra seat was for the mechanic before the days of pit stops.

The presence of a green ribbon such as this indicates that the car completed the Tour d' Elegance.  This is a 40s vintage BMW sports roadster. — The presence of a green ribbon such as this indicates that the car completed the Tour d' Elegance. This is a 40s vintage BMW sports roadster.

A very rare 512 model Mercedes sports roadster.  This is a very large car. — A very rare 512 model Mercedes sports roadster. This is a very large car.

A super charged Deusenberg.  These were the biggest, fastest and most expensive automobiles of their day. — A super charged Deusenberg. These were the biggest, fastest and most expensive automobiles of their day.

The car is a 1937 Cord.  The pretty lady . . . not from 1937! — The car is a 1937 Cord. The pretty lady . . . not from 1937!

This is a Delage, a French manufacturer.

An artistic rendering of reflections and lines.

Each year there are motorcycles.  This year the BMW had exclusive rights as they celebrated 100 years of producing cars and motorcycles. — Each year there are motorcycles. This year the BMW had exclusive rights as they celebrated 100 years of producing cars and motorcycles.

This is a 2017 Ford GT.  The GT was originally a race car (1966) and just recently has been produced as a 'super car' for the street. — This is a 2017 Ford GT. The GT was originally a race car (1966) and just recently has been produced as a 'super car' for the street.

Usually concept cars are introduced at the Detroit Auto Show in January.  This year there was a change in that timing whereby the most important concept designs were introduced at this show. — Usually concept cars are introduced at the Detroit Auto Show in January. This year there was a change in that timing whereby the most important concept designs were introduced at this show.

This is a concept Maybach representing the luxury line manufactured by Mercedes.

This is a concept design shown by Acura.

Concept car designs indicate a future trend in car design.  These particular cars are not intended to be mass produced.  This is another photograph of a Cadillac. — Concept car designs indicate a future trend in car design. These particular cars are not intended to be mass produced. This is another photograph of a Cadillac.

In case you are uncertain . . . a Lexus.

Seen on a Cadillac. Many of the radiator ornaments are after-market accessories rather than the 'official' company logo.

Carmel Mission

Carol Freshley August 24, 2016

The Misson San Carlos Barromeo del Río Carmelo, or simply known as the Carmel Misson, is on the National Register of Historic Places and is a US National Historic Landmark. It was the second mission built by Franciscans in California. It is the only one of the California Missions to have its original bell tower.

About a third of the way up the center of the nave.  This is still an active church with several Masses being celebrated on Sunday morning.  I was there so early that I was able to get good access as soon as the gates opened without distur… — About a third of the way up the center of the nave. This is still an active church with several Masses being celebrated on Sunday morning. I was there so early that I was able to get good access as soon as the gates opened without disturbing those who came before Mass to reflect and pray.

This is a small chapel off the nave.  There are just a couple of benches in the room. — This is a small chapel off the nave. There are just a couple of benches in the room.

There is no stained glass windows in the nave.  There are just a few windows in smaller rooms.  The thickness of the walls suggest it was made of adobe. — There is no stained glass windows in the nave. There are just a few windows in smaller rooms. The thickness of the walls suggest it was made of adobe.

This is a simple mission.  It is elegant and extremely well maintained. This is a side view. — This is a simple mission. It is elegant and extremely well maintained. This is a side view.

Early morning churchgoers in front of the main entrance.

This is a cork oak.  I have never heard of such a tree, but it is gorgeous. — This is a cork oak. I have never heard of such a tree, but it is gorgeous.

This is only part of the cemetery.  At first I thought these were rocks that had been painted white.  Not so!  They are Abalone shells.  They are put there to represent hundreds of indigenous people and be reminded of their long … — This is only part of the cemetery. At first I thought these were rocks that had been painted white. Not so! They are Abalone shells. They are put there to represent hundreds of indigenous people and be reminded of their long term presence in the region, their rich culture and humanity and the importance that they still hold for their descendants today.

As you enter the main courtyard to the mission you might miss this.  Look back towards the gate and this would be on your right. — As you enter the main courtyard to the mission you might miss this. Look back towards the gate and this would be on your right.

This is a cenotaph.  It is a tribute to Father Junipero Serra who is buried in the Mission. — This is a cenotaph. It is a tribute to Father Junipero Serra who is buried in the Mission.

Items from the alter during the time of Father Junipero Serro.  The room is protected by a glass window. — Items from the alter during the time of Father Junipero Serro. The room is protected by a glass window.

Just a part of a large courtyard with many flower beds.  The rooms in the back were used for lodging. — Just a part of a large courtyard with many flower beds. The rooms in the back were used for lodging.

A meditation courtyard.  This is on your left as you enter. — A meditation courtyard. This is on your left as you enter.

Just before I left, this artist set up to paint a miniature oil painting of the statue just inside the gate.  He donates his miniatures to a local gallery who sells them and the proceeds are donated to the Mission's Foundation to be used for re… — Just before I left, this artist set up to paint a miniature oil painting of the statue just inside the gate. He donates his miniatures to a local gallery who sells them and the proceeds are donated to the Mission's Foundation to be used for restoration and maintenance.

This is my challenge photograph of the morning.  I wanted a long view.  This image gives you a perspective of how large the nave is and how it lacks windows.  It was shot with a wide lens.  But, I could not get the chandeliers ou… — This is my challenge photograph of the morning. I wanted a long view. This image gives you a perspective of how large the nave is and how it lacks windows. It was shot with a wide lens. But, I could not get the chandeliers out of the way to see the alter at the end. I tried getting down and shooting up (a disaster). So I walked up towards the alter . . . the first image shown above.

Concours d' LeMons

Carol Freshley August 23, 2016

This event is a full press parody of the Concours d'Elegance held on the 18th hole of the Pebble Beach Golf course. Its web page extols its celebration of the 'Oddball, Mundane and Truly Awful of the Automotive World. Admission is free. The judges are proud to be inattentive, unprofessional and subject to bribery. All manner of costume is welcome and free food may or may not be handed out. There is one important rule. If you came with a car you must take one home with you! No mention was made that you had to leave with the car you came in with.