Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance 2026: A Historic 75th Edition Like Never Before

Every August, a small stretch of California coastline transforms into the most glamorous stage in the automotive world. The Monterey Peninsula becomes home to some of the rarest, most breathtaking machines ever built. And on Sunday, August 16, 2026, this tradition reaches a defining milestone: the 75th edition of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

This is not just another show. It is a celebration of 75 years of artistry, engineering, and passion. For collectors, enthusiasts, and curious visitors alike, 2026 promises to be a once-in-a-generation experience.

What Is the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance?

The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is widely regarded as the world’s premier celebration of the automobile. It takes place each year on the 18th fairway of Pebble Beach Golf Links, set against the stunning backdrop of the Pacific Ocean along California’s Monterey Peninsula.

The event began in 1950, born alongside the original Pebble Beach Road Race. Back then, the Concours was almost an afterthought. Cars were shown near the tennis courts and paraded down the start-finish straight of the racetrack as a social warm-up to the main racing event. However, what started as a small gathering of elegant machines quickly grew into something far greater.

Today, the Concours draws collectors, industry leaders, and enthusiasts from across the globe. Judges evaluate each entry on elegance, technical merit, and historical significance. The ultimate prize — Best of Show — is one of the highest honors any automobile can receive anywhere in the world. Additionally, the event has raised over 45 million dollars for charitable causes throughout its history.

The Story Behind the 75th Anniversary

Reaching a 75th anniversary is remarkable for any event. For this storied show, it represents seven and a half decades of preserving and celebrating automotive heritage at the highest possible level.

Concours Chairman Sandra Button captured the spirit of this milestone perfectly. She noted that the very first Concours owed everything to the road race that preceded it. The race, held on November 5, 1950, was the real attraction. The car show was simply there to add a touch of style. Over the years, however, those roles have reversed. The Concours has become the centerpiece of Monterey Car Week, and the road race is now remembered as the event’s storied origin.

Therefore, this 75th edition will do more than look forward. It will look back. Organizers plan to revisit some of the most iconic gatherings in the show’s history, bringing together legendary classes of vehicles that defined past editions. For longtime fans, this will feel like flipping through a remarkable scrapbook of automotive greatness.

Ferrari: The Star of the 2026 Show

No featured marque announcement has generated more excitement than Ferrari. The Italian automaker will take center stage as the primary featured marque of the 75th edition, and for good reason.

Ferrari’s history at this event stretches back to 1951. That year, Gentleman Jim Kimberly — heir to the Kimberly-Clark Kleenex fortune — brought his 1949 Ferrari 166 MM Touring Barchetta to the Concours. He then went on to compete in the road races. In a moment of pure cinematic drama, he flipped the car on lap 20 but emerged unharmed. He reportedly received a congratulatory kiss from his date, movie star Ginger Rogers. It was a fitting debut for a marque that would become synonymous with the Pebble Beach lawn.

In the decades since, over 900 Ferraris have appeared at Pebble Beach. Ferrari became the first ongoing postwar featured marque at the Concours starting in 1973. This year, the spotlight will focus specifically on Ferrari’s overall Le Mans winners and NART — North American Racing Team — competition cars. These are machines that did not merely sit in garages looking beautiful. They raced hard, won championships, and changed the course of motorsport history.

Additionally, a selection of Vignale-bodied Ferrari road cars will be on display, connecting the marque tribute to the event’s second major honoree of the year.

Vignale: The Art of the Coachbuilder

Alongside Ferrari, the 2026 Concours will honor Carrozzeria Vignale as the featured coachbuilder. This is a fitting tribute to one of the most gifted craftsmen in the history of Italian automobile design.

Alfredo Vignale was born in 1913. He began working as a panel beater at the age of eleven. Through talent and determination, he advanced through Italy’s most respected workshops. He worked at Pinin Farina and Stabilimenti Farina, gaining valuable experience and recognition. In 1948, he founded his own carrozzeria, marking a major milestone in his career.

The defining chapter of Vignale’s career came in 1950 when he began collaborating with designer Giovanni Michelotti. Michelotti designed the cars; Vignale built them. Together, they created some of the most sculptural and sensuous automobile bodies of the postwar era. Their work embodied the spirit of la dolce vita — a time when Italy was rebuilding itself with beauty, ambition, and style.

The cars they created together were not just transportation. They were rolling sculptures, built by hand, shaped by eye, and finished with a level of care that modern production lines simply cannot replicate. Seeing a collection of these coachbuilt masterpieces gathered on the fairway lawn will be an extraordinary privilege for anyone who appreciates the history of automotive design.

New Classes Debuting in 2026

The 75th edition will also introduce several new competition classes, reflecting the event’s commitment to expanding its celebration of automotive diversity and history.

Early American Speedsters (Pre-WWI): These machines represent the dawn of American performance. Models like the Mercer Raceabout and the Stutz Bearcat were the sports cars of their era — stripped down, fast by the standards of the day, and built for the pure thrill of driving. Their presence will remind visitors of just how long the human desire for speed has driven automobile innovation.

Classic Streamliners: The streamliner movement of the 1930s and 1940s produced some of the most dramatic automobile shapes ever created. Designers drew inspiration from aircraft and modern science, crafting bodies that looked as if they were already moving at speed even when standing still.

Japanese Motorsports: This new class reflects an important and sometimes underappreciated chapter in global racing history. Japanese manufacturers including Toyota, Mazda, and Nissan took on the world’s most demanding endurance circuits with remarkable results. Mazda’s 1991 Le Mans victory with the 787B rotary engine remains one of the most iconic upsets in motorsport history, and Toyota went on to win Le Mans five consecutive years from 2018 to 2022. Seeing these cars in a Concours setting will be a powerful reminder of how far Japanese automotive engineering has come.

Honoring the Pebble Beach Road Racing Greats

The 75th edition carries a special obligation to remember where it all started. The first Pebble Beach Road Race took place in November 1950, winding through the forests of Del Monte. Racing continued there through 1956, attracting legendary names including Phil Hill, Carroll Shelby, Ken Miles, and Richie Ginther.

Phil Hill, who would go on to become the first American Formula 1 World Champion, won the inaugural Pebble Beach Cup in a Jaguar XK120. Shelby, long before his days creating the Cobra, competed on those same forest roads. These names are etched into the fabric of American motorsport history.

However, the course grew increasingly dangerous as car speeds rose. Eventually, a purpose-built racing circuit was carved from a nearby dry lake bed — a place that would later become world-famous as Laguna Seca. The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion is partnering with the Concours this year to showcase Pebble Beach Road Race cars at Laguna Seca, creating a powerful link between the event’s origins and its present-day celebrations.

Monterey Car Week: The Week Leading Up to the Show

The Concours does not exist in isolation. It serves as the grand finale of Monterey Car Week, a ten-day automotive celebration that fills the entire Monterey Peninsula with activity. For anyone making the trip, arriving early in the week is highly recommended.

The week includes the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, where vintage racing cars compete in real wheel-to-wheel action. The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, offers a more intimate concours experience in a garden party setting. The Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance presented by Rolex sends Concours entrants on a scenic road drive through the peninsula, giving spectators a rare chance to see these extraordinary cars in motion.

Major auction houses, including RM Sotheby’s, host flagship sales during the week. These events let collectors acquire rare vehicles in an exciting, high-energy atmosphere. The sales create intense competition and unforgettable moments for bidders and enthusiasts alike.Additionally, the Pebble Beach Classic Car Forum brings together leading voices from the collector car world for discussions on the most important topics facing the hobby today.

Each event adds a different flavor to the week. Together, they make Monterey Car Week one of the most complete automotive experiences on the planet.

Tips for Attending the 2026 Concours

Planning ahead will make your visit far more enjoyable. Here are a few practical things to keep in mind:

• The event takes place on August 16, 2026, running from morning through late afternoon at Pebble Beach Golf Links.
• General admission tickets must be purchased in advance through the official website at pebblebeachconcours.net.
• A shuttle service operates between Carmel-by-the-Sea and the venue, offering a convenient alternative to driving on a busy event day.
• Dress for a warm California day. Comfortable walking shoes are strongly recommended, as the fairway covers a large area.
• Arrive early. The best light for viewing and photographing the cars is in the morning, and the atmosphere before judging begins is extraordinary.
• The Best of Show announcement comes in the late afternoon and is always one of the most emotional moments of the automotive calendar year.

Conclusion

The 75th Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is far more than a car show. It is a living museum, a competitive showcase, and a celebration of everything that has made the automobile such a central part of human culture over the past century.

Taking place on August 16, 2026, the event unfolds on Pebble Beach Golf Links’ iconic 18th fairway. This milestone edition honors its racing heritage while celebrating Ferrari as the featured marque. Carrozzeria Vignale will be highlighted as the featured coachbuilder, showcasing its distinctive automotive artistry. New classes covering Early American Speedsters, Classic Streamliners, and Japanese Motorsports will add fresh chapters to an already extraordinary story. Set against the backdrop of Monterey Car Week and the Pacific coastline, the 75th edition promises to be one of the most memorable gatherings of collector cars the world has ever seen.

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where is the 2026 event taking place?

The event takes place on Sunday, August 16, 2026, on the 18th fairway of Pebble Beach Golf Links at The Lodge at Pebble Beach, California. It runs from the morning through late afternoon, with the Best of Show announcement in the final hours of the day.

Why is 2026 considered a historic year for the Concours?

The 2026 edition marks the 75th anniversary of the event, which began in 1950 alongside the original Pebble Beach Road Race. The milestone edition will revisit iconic gatherings from past years and introduce new classes, making it one of the most comprehensive programs ever assembled.

Who is the featured marque and coachbuilder for 2026?

Ferrari is the primary featured marque, with a special focus on its overall Le Mans winners and NART competition cars. Carrozzeria Vignale is the featured coachbuilder, celebrated for its extraordinary collaboration with designer Giovanni Michelotti in the postwar era.

What new classes are being introduced in 2026?

Three new classes are debuting: Early American Speedsters (Pre-WWI), Classic Streamliners, and Japanese Motorsports. Additional classes may be announced in the weeks leading up to the event.

How do I buy tickets, and how much do they cost?

Tickets are available through the official website at pebblebeachconcours.net. General admission tickets have historically been priced in the range of several hundred dollars per person. Purchasing early is strongly advised, as the event regularly sells out well in advance.

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