Is this the world’s finest automobile?
The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance ‘Best in Show’-winning 1929 Mercedes-Benz S Barker Tourer ‘‘boat tail’’ – arguably the finest car in the world – is heading home to the UK for the Concours of Elegance 2018.
Pebble Beach is arguably the top classic-car show in the world, which is why many currently regard this 1929 Benz boat tail as the finest car in the world.
Based on the 1927 Mercedes S-Type, the unique ‘Boat Tail’ was one of the most powerful roadgoing automobiles in the world in that period, developed as the perfect road-going, race capable car. Originally owned by racing enthusiast and British Racing Drivers’ Club co-founder Earl Howe, this car was fitted with a revolutionary body which incorporated an aerodynamic shell with unique aircraft-inspired aluminium side pods.
The car was a regular on tours, trials and competition events in the UK before new ownership in 1958 took it to the United States.
When it was first sold to American owners, the blue car was repainted in a dark maroon colour and the rear of the car was renovated to sport an additional spare tyre instead of its distinctive boat tail. But its most recent owner has just completed a multiyear project of restoring the car to its former glory.
The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance (‘‘competition of elegance’’) is held every year on the Pebble Beach Golf Links in California. Cars are judged for authenticity, function, history and style. There are a variety of classes but there is always a Best In Show award.