Pebble Beach: A matter of style: racing through the pines 1950-1956: concours d'elegance 1950-1979; a complete history

Since 1950, Pebble Beach, California has been the setting for what has become the most unique and prestigious automotive Concours de Elegance in the world. It was also the setting thirty years ago for a kind of pure auto racing that has simply disappeared, and will never return again. This is the story of both these events, supported by more than 500 photographs and 32 pages of magnificent color.The racing took place from 1950 until 1956, when increasing speeds brought tragedy. It was a time when tens of thousands lined the public roads in the Del Monte forest to watch amateurs joust with one another in sports cars and home-built specials... for the fun of it. It was the beginning of Phil Hill's long climb to a world driving championship, the first fame for Carroll Shelby, the start of California's love affair with Porsche.