How the 2025 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance judges could possibly come to a decision about which of the dozens upon dozens of amazing vehicles nesting on the green is Best of Show is an ongoing mystery. The best explanation: They are experts with a depth of knowledge that permits them to say things like, "That air cleaner shouldn't be shiny; originally it was semigloss black." (Yes, we overheard that at a concours once.) We are not them, nor could the C/D editors who've been walking the show all day possibly agree on a single car that tops them all. Nevertheless, before the esteemed blue-blazer-wearing judges award the Best of Show trophy, the somewhat less esteemed C/D judges each made their own pick from among the 229 cars present.
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K.C. Colwell's Pick: 1931 Ruxton
This 1931 Ruxton sedan takes top prize for me, which based on my track record all but guarantees it won’t win anything other than hearts. I don’t normally dig prewar cars because I think so many of them look the same. Maybe I’m just getting old enough to enjoy them. Either way, the Ruxton looks like nothing else of its era—not for its tritone paint job, decadent metalwork, or swooping fenders, but because its long nose sits low and, believe it or not, it's front-wheel drive—totally novel in the '30s. (continued)
It is one of 18 remaining examples that came out of the short-lived Philadelphia manufacturer, so I'll likely never see one again. So rad. —K.C. Colwell
Dave VanderWerp's Pick: 1937 Bugatti Type 57 Atalante Rolltop Coupe
Bugatti Type 57s are no strangers to the Pebble Beach Concours, but this is one of just 11 with this Rolltop roof. With it retracted, the roof pillars beautifully echo the swooping front fenders. But what puts this one over the top for me is that owner Fritz Burkard, fresh off a Best of Show win last year with another Bugatti, drove this recently restored beauty more than 3000 miles from Rhode Island to Pebble Beach. (continued)
Kudos to Burkard for setting an example that no car is so valuable that it needs to be a garage queen. And I didn't even spot any stone chips. —Dave VanderWerp
Elana Scherr's Pick: 1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 SV Bertone Coupé
I have a rule at car shows: If my outfit matches a car, I get to take it home. So far that hasn't worked out for me, but I'm hoping that changes with my pick for Best of Show, Hamid Moghadam's 1971 Lamborghini Miura SV. (continued)
I chose it because any Miura is a winner, but especially one restored to the exact specs of the 1971 Auto Salon car in green metallic. Right now it lives in Vegas, but I hope to drive it home. —Elana Scherr
Michael Aaron's Pick: 1988 McLaren MP4/4
There were so many amazing cars to choose from. I had eyed an absolutely stunning green '71 Lamborghini Miura P400 SV... but Elana called dibs on it.
The next place I looked was the long line of Formula 1 cars, which spanned from 1906 to today. Seeing the evolution of the F1 car in person is a true sight to see, and the 1988 McLaren Honda MP4/4 Formula 1 car is peak Formula 1 for me.
In 1988, the car won 15 of 16 Grands Prix and dominated F1. Having been driven by Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna, two of the best and most famous drivers of all time, only helps its case. (continued)
It was motivated by a 1.5-liter turbocharged V-6 engine that cranked out 685 horsepower through a six-speed manual transmission. I can only dream of what driving a car like this at full tilt is like, but I can imagine it must have been one of the most exhilarating experiences. —Michael Aaron
Joe Lorio's Pick: 1935 Aston Martin Mark II Bertelli Sports Saloon
This 1935 Aston Martin Mark II Bertelli Sports Saloon is one of 22 ever made, which explains why I've never seen one before. It has a hot-rod stance that's really striking for an Aston Martin, and it was formerly owned by a World War I fighter pilot and an MI6 agent. (continued)
The metallic green paint is also believed to be the first use of that color on an Aston. —Joe Lorio
Eric Stafford's Pick: 1962 Shelby Cobra
I've always been a big Shelby Cobra guy. So seeing the first production Cobra in the flesh was a really cool experience. As you can see, it's murdered out, with all black everything. I appreciate the history behind this one too. (continued)
Originally fitted with a 260-cubic-inch V-8, it competed in the 1964 24 Hours of Le Mans, but the engine was weak sauce, so it was sold to a Frenchman who eventually dropped in a mightier 289 mill and modified it to be Shelby FIA spec, with which it competed until 1966. This car helped spawn the famous 427 Cobras, which is why it's my Best of Show. —Eric Stafford
Drew Dorian's Pick: 1979 BMW M1 Art Car No. 4 by Andy Warhol
My pick for Best of Show goes to the 1979 BMW M1 Art Car No. 4 by Andy Warhol. This sports car was hand-painted by Warhol himself in just 28 minutes. The pop-art icon applied 13 pounds of paint via brushes and his own fingers.
"I attempted to show speed as a visual image," Warhol said of his masterpiece. "When an automobile is really moving fast, all the lines and colors are transformed into a blur." The car was subsequently entered at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where Manfred Winkelhock, Hervé Poulain, and Marcel Mignot drove it to a second-place finish. (continued)
It is very cool to see this iconic car set against the backdrop of the Pescadero Rocks just off shore at Pebble Beach. As an admirer of Warhol's work, it gives me goosebumps to stand so close to this true work of art. —Drew Dorian
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