1934 Voisin topS world’s premier classic car show

It was that time of year again, when more than 200 of the most prized collector cars and motorbikes in the world gathered at the world’s most famous 18th hole of motoring – the Pebble Beach. The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is one of the most competitive events in the automotive world. The Concours is not a contest of speed, but of excellence. Automobiles and motorcycles are judged for their historical accuracy, their technical merit and their style—and the best garner reward and recognition.

Some of the featured marques and special classes of this year’s event included a celebration of Mercedes-Benz and 125 Years of the Automobile, Stutz Centennial, 50 years of the Ferrari 250 GTO, Edwardian Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts and Italian Motorcycles.

Competitors from 30 states in the US, 14 countries and the principality of Monaco brought their prized automotive possessions to California’s Monterey Peninsula for judging in 29 different classes. In the end, it was the sensational French-made 1934 Voisin C-25 Aerodyne, owned by Peter and Merle Mullin from Los Angeles, that was named Best of Show at the 61st Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. This is also the first Pebble Beach Concours Best of Show win for Mullin in 27 appearances at the annual classic car event, so it’s no surprise that he was happy with the achievement.

Voisin, who built airplanes during World War I and converted his focus to automobiles once peace was declared, sold more than 11,000 of his usually unconventional, rather expensive vehicles between 1919 and 1939. The distinctive C-25 Voisin, featuring a blend of French curves, highlights Voisin’s aeronautic expertise, such as the use of lightweight materials and streamlined designs.

The other cars nominated for Best of Show were a 1938 Talbot-Lago T150-C owned by Richard Stephens from Auburn, Calif., and a 1929 Bentley Speed Six owned by Daniel Sielecki from Capital, Argentina. The 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance also managed to raise $1,154,778 for different charitable organizations.