The 72nd running of the prestigious heritage car award show at the Californian golf course has been completed, with a Alfa Romeo winning the Gran Turismo Trophy.
Each year over 200 classic cars from around the world congregate for the event, part of Monterey Car Week, with Concours d’Elegance also attributing awards determined by a panel of invited judges.
The overall ‘Best in Show’ gong this time went to a 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster, however, for Gran Turismo 7 players, this is perhaps not the most interesting element.
No, the main focus is the Gran Turismo Trophy where series producer Kazunori Yamauchi traditionally has a hand in selecting the victor. Each winner of this award has the chance for their car to appear in a Gran Turismo game at some point.
Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Gran Turismo Award 2023 winner
The 1933 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Gran Sport Figoni Coupé won the Gran Turismo Trophy at the 2023 72nd Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
What is the Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Gran Sport Figoni Coupé?
The Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Gran Sport Figoni Coupé is a combination of an Italian sports car, and French coachbuilder Figoni et Falaschi.
Figoni took the traditional, for the time, two-seater open-top spider from the 1930s (first introduced in 1929) and added a swooping coupe body style over the top for the 1933 Paris Motor Show.
Following the re-design, it was then converted back into an open racing body to compete at the 1935 24 Hours of Le Mans. In fact, above’s an image of Guy Don and Jean Desvignes-driven machine during that event.
It’s now back to the sleek French bodywork, which is said to have been part of Figori’s evolution towards a fêted ‘Goutte d’Eau’, or teardrop, design. It currently resides in West Vancouver, Canada.
Prior Concours d’Elegance Gran Turismo Award winners
While it’s not guaranteed that this Alfa Romeo will make it into Gran Turismo 7, it is expected based on the wards partnership with the game and also previous winners.
Eight of the now 15 winners have made it into a Polyphony Digital-created driving title at some point.
For Gran Turismo 7 specifically, the 1954 Ferrari 500 Mondial Pinin Farina Coupe, Maserati A6GCS/53 Spyder ’54 and 1929 Mercedes-Benz S Barker Tourer are previous award-winners that have made their gaming debuts.
The 1969 Ferrari 512 S Berlinetta and 1969 Autobianchi A112 Runabout Bertone Concept Car, the 2021 and 2022 Gran Turismo Award winners respectively, are yet to make an appearance virtually.
The following cars are Concours d’Elegance victors but are yet to appear in Gran Turismo 7, so keep your eyes peeled for upcoming update teasers:
- 1952 Cunningham C-4R Competition Roadster CN.5217
- 1966 Ferrari 330 P4 Drogo Spyder
- 1966 AAR Eagle Indy Car
- 1931 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Zagato
- 1969 Ferrari 512 S Berlinetta
- 1969 Autobianchi A112 Runabout Bertone Concept Car
- 1933 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Gran Sport Figoni Coupé
Images: Motorsport Images / Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
