Every year the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance offers a spectacular showing of amazing cars. I am fortunate to get a front row seat to the event as a class judge. I could write an entire article on the judging experience, remarkable cars, dedicated people and history of this amazing event, but throughout my weekend in Monterey, there was a far more interesting and broader subject that continually came up in discussion. Are younger people losing interest in cars? Most people followed with a series of doom and gloom predictions, weaving self-driving cars, cell phones and millennial malaise into their vision of tomorrow. This sentiment, coupled with a slowing in sales at the big auctions, caused a fair number of collectors to take a gloomier look toward the future of cars.
The 1960 Ferrari 250 GT Scaglietti Spider California of Lee & Joan Herrington, at this year’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Photo: Steve Natale
Like a lot of big questions, the answer is more complex than it seems, but for starters I’ll be clear about where I stand – mankind will always be attracted to objects that blend technology and beauty, be it old, nostalgic, new, futuristic, or even speculative. This includes cars, paintings, sculpture, jewelry, furniture, watches, etc. Mankind simply loves beautifully crafted things. Nature, being our most prevalent example, builds objects of function and beauty evident in flowers, animals, trees and a sea full of colorful creatures. Mankind respects the power and grandeur of nature, echoing our appreciation by creating beautiful objects, many with functional purpose, to enhance our lives and surroundings. Cars fit that description perfectly, in part because our first associations of increased speed and transportation were nurtured on the backs of wild horses. Many of our modern automotive terminologies still pay homage to the horse, a majestic animal of great power and beauty. But, as anyone who knows horses will tell you, there is also a deeper emotional connection between horses and humans. It’s more than just transportation. Horses connect with the rider and we form deep and sometimes lasting bonds with our horses; the saddle time, the view from above, the connection to our journey.
