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As a young sports car enthusiast I became active in the concours
aspect of the hobby during the late 1960s, doing my
own show preparation and learning about restoration.
Perhaps you can imagine my surprise when Phil Hill telephoned
in 1972 saying I had been recommended to him.
He was inviting me to become part of the judging team he
was organizing as Chief Class Judge (CCJ) of prewar sports
cars at the Pebble Beach Concours. What an exciting opportunity!
And to be invited by this iconic race driver and
master restorer. Do I need to tell you that I accepted his
offer without hesitation?
I will always remember that first time judging at Pebble
Beach. Before judging officially began I was looking over
the class, forming initial impressions, when Phil guided Paul
Woudenberg, the other class judge, and me to a car of his
that was also on the field. He opened the trunk and took out
original late 1920s and early 1930s Mercedes-Benz literature.
I was very impressed! Phil explained he had concerns
about the authenticity of two of the cars we were about to
judge. His concerns were justified. Both proved to be creative
modifications of cars from lesser models to more
important ones. The real ones, if I recall, were in the hold of
some ship on the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. That was a
quick lesson not to prejudge any of the cars as it can be surprising
what you find when you really examine them. This
apprenticeship is part of the education that really never ends
as long as one serves as a judge.
Pebble Beach judging differs from most concours. One
significant difference involves the CCJ receiving, several
weeks before the show, a package containing information
provided by the owner of each car in the class. That information
is shared with the class judges who are usually
selected by the CCJ and work together year after year.
Periodically other information may be shared between team
members too, all of which helps us be well prepared on
Sunday morning. At most other shows, judges don't learn
their judging assignments, or who they will be teamed with,
until the morning of the show. Working together gives the
individuals who make up the team an opportunity to learn
each others strengths and from that grows the mutual
respect contributing to the team's objectivity and fairness
when evaluating the cars.
Once on the field there is obviously a distraction factor,
unparalleled elsewhere. The superb display of cars is rivaled
by the collection of beautiful people dressed and not so
dressed. Some call it eye candy. There are the greetings
from friends wanting recognition while you are judging and
the Honorary Judges, who come from renowned places in
the fields of design and automotive manufacture, also have
questions about the cars in your class. It is grounding and
humbling. Call it ambiance, aura, or put your own label on
it. It's all part of being on the lawn at Pebble.
Since we function as a team, we are able to discreetly
point out problems we observe to each other or ask questions
to ascertain the correctness of finish or some item on
the car. Step-by-step we check function from starting,
through lights and instruments, then move on to condition
and finish. After going over each car thoroughly, we walk
some distance away to discuss what deductions may be
appropriate. Our combined research and knowledge is key
to being able to determine deductions for authenticity which
Pebble Beach has always stressed. In my experience many
other shows are less stringent in this regard. Authenticity of
the parts of the car, the proper finishes, and details, promotes
real preservation of these mobile pieces of art for
subsequent owners and generations. |
