“IF A CAR GOES TO PEBBLE,” SAYS VAN RAAY, “IT HAS TO BE AS PERFECT AS POSSIBLE, EXACTLY THE WAY IT WAS BUILT.”
“I consider Pebble Beach one of the best shows in the world,” says Mario Van Raay, RM Auto Restoration General Manager. “The judges are extremely knowledgeable. Although it’s a big show, it’s an intimate atmo- sphere and you can’t beat the set- ting. We treat all our cars, no matter where they go, with the same level of detailing, making sure mechanically that everything works. We do a lot of research and ensure the people who represent the car are very knowl- edgeable about its provenance and history.” This year, RM is preparing a 1937 Talbot-Lago T150-C by Figoni et Falaschi for Jim Patterson. “If a car goes to Pebble,” says Van Raay, “it has to be as perfect as possible,
exactly the way it was built. We have very, very serious competition.
“A car’s rarity, provenance, history and special features are all factors for Best of Show. When you watch the cars drive in, you get a special feeling when you see the car. It’s an amazing thing that there are people who can pick that car out even before the judges have had a look. There’s something about a Best of Show car. It has a special presence.
“The Tour is a grueling trip, a real test of the car,” Van Raay says. “But we try to encourage the owners to enter. It creates a lot more work for us, but we’ve never had a car fail. We are set up to help anybody’s car and we will if we’re needed.”
But it’s what happens on Sunday af- ternoon that is most special for Mario Van Raay and RM Auto Restoration. “We’re very proud in the satisfaction we get from a job well done,” he says. “It’s important for everybody who’s worked on the car. Our cus- tomers’ enthusiasm and pride on the
podium are also very important. The pursuit of perfection drives us, and we have had many late nights, but it’s all paid off.”
THE MOMENT OF TRUTH The Best of Show presentation is the most anticipated moment at Pebble Beach. Each class winner has been parked in a “holding area” after class trophies are awarded. Specta- tors and judges look at them one last time. The ballots are submitted and counted. The finalists, usually three cars, line up in front of the ramp. Then the runners-up are called forward, until just one car remains. Often accompanied by the car’s restorer, the owner pulls forward onto the ramp. Trumpets sound and there’s an explosion of confetti. The crowd cheers and everyone surges forward to congratulate the winner.
To see how each of these shops and their cars did at the 2012 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, go to
hagerty.com/mastersofthelawn.
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HAGERTY.COM 43
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