Mercedes-Benz: The Pride of Excellence and the models that win the great Concours d’Elegance

Mercedes-Benz holds a special place in the hearts of collectors worldwide for its ability to combine top-tier performance with captivating and highly personal design in its models produced year after year in Stuttgart. Demonstrating this, Mercedes-Benz ranks among the top manufacturers in The Key's Top 100 by TCCT - The Classic Car Trust, based on the number of vehicles cataloged. Further validation comes from its many victories at prestigious Concours d’Elegance events, where Mercedes-Benz cars have frequently claimed the highly coveted Best of Show award.

In 1971, the first Mercedes-Benz to win the coveted Best of Show at Pebble Beach was the 1927 Mercedes-Benz 680S Gangloff Open Tourer owned by Owen Owens.

Beginning with the oldest, the 1903 Mercedes Simplex 60HP won the prestigious award at Hampton Court in 2015 at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. At the most prestigious Concours, Pebble Beach, 10 Mercedes-Benz cars have been crowned Best of Show, starting with models from the 1920s. Notable wins include the 1927 Mercedes-Benz 680S Gangloff Open Tourer in 1971, followed by the 1928 Mercedes-Benz 680S Saoutchik Torpedo owned by Paul & Judy Andrews in 2012, and in 2017, the 1929 Mercedes-Benz 680S Barker Tourer owned by Bruce McCaw.

The 1929 Mercedes-Benz 680S Barker Tourer owned by Bruce McCaw, winner of Best of Show at Pebble Beach in 2017.

The 1930s Mercedes-Benz models are particularly beloved at Pebble Beach. A standout among these is the 1930 710SSK Count Trossi Sports Roadster, a unique piece that won Best of Show in 1993, entered by none other than Ralph Lauren. Additionally, in 2001, another 1930 model triumphed in California, the Mercedes-Benz 700SS Erdmann & Rossi Roadster owned by Arturo & Deborah Keller.

The 1930 710SSK Count Trossi Sports Roadster, entered by Ralph Lauren at Pebble Beach in 1993 and crowned Best of Show.

Another Mercedes-Benz that graced the Pebble Beach stage is the 500K Special Roadster, winning in 1982 and 1986 with Tom & Gerd Perkins and Arturo Keller. Not to be overlooked is the Mercedes-Benz 540K, which in various versions has won three times, including the 1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Cabriolet A owned by Mrs. Otis Chandler in 1973, the 1938 540K Autobahn Kurier owned by Arturo & Deborah Keller in 2021, and most recently, in 2023, the 1937 540K Special Roadster from the Jim Patterson Collection. This model also took home Best of Show at Villa d'Este in 2008 and at The Quail in 2021.

The 1938 540K Autobahn Kurier owned by Arturo & Deborah Keller, named Best of Show 2021 at Pebble Beach.

What has been presented here is only a glimpse of the numerous successes of Mercedes-Benz vehicles at major Concours events, especially those that reshaped the image of the great manufacturer after WWII. However, some majestic pre-war models remain formidable rivals, not only for competitors but even for their more modern descendants. Time will tell...

The 1937 540K Special Roadster from the Jim Patterson Collection, Best of Show at Pebble Beach in 2023.