Gallery: Meet the Swankiest People of America’s Swankiest Car Competition

  • Image may contain Human Person Crowd Suzi Gardner Bobby Rahal Audience David Paich and Alcatrazz
    Cait Oppermann for WIRED
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    Every year, car lovers gather for the fierce, if quiet, competition that is the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.
  • This image may contain Human Person Vehicle Transportation Automobile Car Convertible Jerry Moss and Hot Rod
    Cait Oppermann for WIRED
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    Classes include individual marques (Packard and Duesenberg), more general categories (postwar sports racing), and the weirdly specific (two-man Indianapolis race cars 1930-1937).
  • Image may contain Clothing Shoe Footwear Apparel Human Person Sunglasses Accessories Accessory and Clock Tower
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    Judges are looking for historical accuracy---does the car look like it did when it was delivered?
  • Image may contain Human Person Transportation Car Vehicle Automobile and Bill Snyder
    Cait Oppermann for WIRED
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    They also value "elegance," a more elusive value judgement.
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    Winning a class or the entire concours can add serious dollars to a car's value.
  • Image may contain Transportation Vehicle Automobile Car Human Person and Tire
    Cait Oppermann for WIRED
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    Nearby, Gooding and Co. runs a classic car auction. This year, it [sold 114 cars for $130 million](https://stag-komodo.wired.com/2016/08/5-spectacular-cars-just-sold-millions/).
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    Cait Oppermann for WIRED
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    The concours attracts thousands of car lovers.
  • Image may contain Clothing Apparel Hat Human Person Grass Plant Food Meal and Sun Hat
    Cait Oppermann for WIRED
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    The experienced bring picnic supplies, and set up where they can watch each car cross the center stage.
  • Image may contain Wheel Machine Spoke Alloy Wheel Tire Transportation Vehicle Automobile Car and Car Wheel
    Cait Oppermann for WIRED
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    Luxury automakers use the whole week as a chance to attract new customers.
  • Image may contain Clothing Apparel Jacket Coat Human and Person
    Cait Oppermann for WIRED
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    Even if they're only buying clothes.
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    Cait Oppermann for WIRED
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    The cars in the concours line up on the 18th fairway of the famed Pebble Beach golf course,
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    Cait Oppermann for WIRED
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    There's also the "concept lawn," where automakers show off their latest creations.
  • Image may contain Human Person Vehicle Transportation Car Automobile Car Show Convertible Sports Car and Ante Čačić
    Cait Oppermann for WIRED
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    Including the massive, all-electric Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6.
  • Image may contain Clothing Apparel Footwear Shoe Human Person and Boot
    Cait Oppermann for WIRED
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    Some attend the concours in period attire, others go for "casually fancy."
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    Cait Oppermann for WIRED
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    The dogs all lean fancy.
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    Cait Oppermann for WIRED
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    Fingerprints---or anything else that mars a car's appearance---are unwelcome.
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