'Mormon Meteor' Best of Show

On Sunday August 19 under pristinely sunny skies above California’s picturesque Monterey Peninsula, the 1935 Duesenberg SJ Special owned by Harry Yeaggy of Cincinnati, Ohio, took Best of Show honors at the 2007 Pebble Beach Concours d’ Elegance, the annual vintage car show and competition now in its 57th year.

Also known as the “Mormon Meteor,” Yeaggy’s winning car is a supercharged Duesenberg once owned by colorful former Salt Lake City Mayor Ab Jenkins, who not only set speed records with the car but also drove it on the streets of the city.

Finished in bright yellow with large chrome lettering on the engine cover, the flamboyant Mormon Meteor caught the attention of the Pebble Beach Concours judges, who chose the SJ Special over all other automotive class winners of the day.

In 1935 the car made national headlines when it set a speed record, traveling for 24 hours at an average speed of 135.58 mph. It was more recently the focus of the automotive world when it sold at the 2004 Pebble Beach Auction conducted by Gooding & Company for a record $4.45 million.

"I'm trying to catch my breath," said Yeaggy on late Sunday afternoon while he stood atop the winner's ramp that the cars cross so owners can collect their trophies. "I knew I had a great car. I love the styling and the art deco look. . . . It's just elegant from every different direction. . . . In my opinion, this is the most significant American car ever built.”

Each year the Best of Show award goes to the car from the pool of class winners that receives the most votes from a distinguished panel of automotive judges. This year from the 24 different classes the judges also chose the 1930 Minerva AL Van Den Plas Cabriolet owned by Paul Emple of Rancho Sante Fe, Calif., and the 1930 Duesenberg J Murphy Disappearing Top Torpedo Convertible Coupe as finalists.

Fog that typically shrouds the field during the early morning judging portion of the Pebble Beach Concours was conspicuously absent this year, providing a clear, sunny day that showcased the field of outstanding vehicles from competitors in 30 U.S states and 12 countries.

"The Pebble Beach Concours has truly become 'the world's concours,'" said Concours Chairman Sandra Kasky Button. "In addition to enthusiasts, sponsors and media from around the globe, this year we welcomed exotic, historic vehicles from as far away as Hong Kong, Australia, Italy, Switzerland, Argentina and the Netherlands."

Comedian, past Concours participant, former class winner and perennial crowd favorite Jay Leno helped raffle cars, diamond jewelry and Rolex watches. Total proceeds from raffles, auctions, sponsorships and gate receipts helped contribute more than $1 million to charity for the second consecutive year.

Leno himself raised $25,000 during the awards presentation by auctioning VIP tickets to "The Tonight Show," along with a personally guided tour of his garage, which houses an extensive car collection.

Most Elegant Awards
The Best of Show trophy at Pebble Beach is the prize most coveted by heavy-hitters of the car collecting hobby. Second only to Best of Show are the Elegance Awards, presented to the most elegant car in four different categories: Most Elegant Closed Car, Most Elegant Convertible, Most Elegant Open Car and Most Elegant Sports Car.

The 1935 Duesenberg J Gurney Nutting Speedster, owned by the William Lyon Family, Newport Beach, California, was recognized as the most elegant open-top car.

The J.B. and Dorothy Nethercutt Most Elegant Closed Car trophy went to a 1934 Packard 1108 Dietrich Sport Sedan owned by Ray and Janet Scherr of Westlake Village, Calif.

A 1935 Duesenberg J Bohman & Schwartz Convertible Coupe owned by Sam & Emily Mann of Englewood, New Jersey, was named the most elegant convertible.

The Strother MacMinn Most Elegant Sports Car Trophy was bestowed upon a 1959 Aston Martin DBR1 owned by Adrian Beecroft of London, England.