Classic Mercedes-Benz Nabs Pebble Beach Best of Show Award
1929 S Barker Tourer beats ’57 Ferrari 315 S Scaglietti Spyder and a ’32 Packard 906 Twin Six Dietrich Convertible Victoria to win the award.
Being named the winner, the Best of the Best, at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is one of the most prestigious honors a vehicle (and its owner) can obtain. At this year’s 67th running of the Concours d’Elegance, a 1929 Mercedes-Benz S Barker Tourer earned the Best of Show honors. History will also remember it as one of the prettiest classics in the world.
One expects owners like Bruce R. McCaw from Bellevue, Wash., to have vehicles sorted out a few months before attending the event. However, Motor Authority—which is where the pictures are from—got an inside scoop on the S Barker Tourer. Instead, it prompted nervous nail biting.
As the outlet reports, McCaw struggled with the idea of undertaking a full restoration on the vehicle. “The question was whether or not to restore it,” he said. “I always hate to restore something that doesn’t need it. But we finally found enough pictures that we knew the car needed to be restored.”
McCaw got a late start on the restoration, though. As Motor Authority claims, he hired Steve Babinsky’s shop in Lebanon, N.J., to complete the job. That shop completed the overhaul a week ago, on August 14. That left just a few days for the vehicle to get across the country.
The S Barker Tourer beat out approximately 200 other entries to nab the prestigious award. The two other finalists included a 1957 Ferrari 315 S Scaglietti Spyder that’s owned by McCaw’s brother, John McCaw, and a ’32 Packard 906 Twin Six Dietrich Convertible Victoria entered by William E. Connor.
“This Mercedes-Benz S Barker Tourer is a combination of speed, style, and power,” said Concours Chairman Sandra Button. “Somehow these three elements – along with those fantastic torpedo running boards – become the very definition of elegance.”
British racing driver Lord Howe commissioned the S Barker Tourer, as Autoweek points out, to follow his strict vision. Baker of London completed the coachwork for Howe, who won the Mille Miglia and Le Mans. He then founded the British Racing Driver’s Club.
“He was passionate about motorsports,” said McCaw. “Lord Howe gets the credit for this car.”
An 1850s dress made of peacock feathers inspired the gorgeous blue paint. That and the heavy dose of chrome will render this S Barker Tourer as one of the prettiest cars ever made.