Seattleites cruise into premier classic-car event

The first step is admitting you have a problem. And that's all right; it probably took seed when you were very young.

You become intoxicated at the sight of lacquered sheet metal shaped into smooth curves. Add to that the aroma of leather and oil, and you lose all sense of reason. Then you sacrifice time and money, and seek out others just like you.

That means flying to California once a year to attend the Mother of All Support Groups for those addicted to cars: the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

"Concours," or just "Pebble," is the world's premiere classic car event, and the climax of a three-day bender devoted to cars and the people who love them.

The lost weekend starts on Friday with the Concorso Italiano at the Quail Lodge Resort in Carmel Valley; includes the Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca; and culminates Sunday with the Concours d'Elegance — like Ascot on wheels.

In between, there are auctions — Christie's is the capper on Sunday night — fashion shows and parties, at which piles of money, pounds of bragging and generations of advice are exchanged.

"For someone going for the first time, it can be a little overwhelming," said Brian Pollock, of Seattle, who has been a Concours judge since 1987. "It's like going to the Olympics."

Pollock writes out a schedule of events for the weekend "to make sure I get to as much as possible."

While the Concours has owned the third weekend in August on the Monterey Peninsula for more than 50 years, Seattle is steadily increasing its influence there, not just with its monied participants, but among its judges and sponsors.

Concorso Italiano is put on by Frank Mandarano of Mercer Island, owner of MIE Corp., the world's largest distributor of new and used Maserati parts.

What started as a gathering of the Maserati Club International in 1976 has grown into one of the premier Italian car events in the world.

"It's turned into a lifestyle show centered around the four food groups," Mandarano said. "Italian travel, food, cars and fashion."

There is no judging at Concorso Italiano.

"We tell them, 'Just go pick 1, 2 and 3 for whatever reason you want," Mandarano said. "I know there are some premier collectors in the Puget Sound. So if it's Italian, bring it."

It is a little more formal at Concours d'Elegance, which is co-chaired by Glenn Mounger of Bainbridge Island.

Besides Pollock, last year's judges included Carl Bomstead of Redmond; Gordon Apker of Des Moines; Siegfried Linke of Seattle; Richard Adatto of Seattle; Alan McEwan of Yarrow Point; David Smith of Medina; Roy Magnuson of Bothell; and Peter Hageman of Kirkland.

"At times, the influence we have on the Concours is almost embarrassing," Pollock said.

Evan McMullen, owner of Cosmopolitan Motors in Seattle, agreed.

"The Concours has such a group of enthusiastic people," McMullen said. "But I would say the strongest group, outside of California, is the one from the Seattle area. There is an unbelievable passion behind them."

McMullen considers himself a neophyte to Concours, even though he has been attending for 15 years. This year, he is putting five cars up for auction, including a 1954 300 Mercedes Benz coupe and five miniature cars made for children, including a Ferrari California Spyder and a few Bugattis.

McMullen has never shown a car at Concours.

"I would like to," he said. "But it's a rich guy's game."

Rich guys we've got.

Jon Shirley of Medina, former Microsoft president, spreads his money all over the Pebble Beach lawn every year in the form of Ferraris restored to perfection. Last year, Shirley's 1956 Ferrari 290MM Scaglietti Spyder won the Luigi Chinetti Trophy as best in its field. He has shown the car five times.

"The thing I love most is finding a car that's a basket case and doing the research toward restoring it," Shirley said, moments after his win last year. "But I also love to race."

His first car was a 1967 Spyder. The first time he showed a car anywhere, he won third place. He's won four first-place ribbons since then.

"I think we're going to take a break this year," Shirley said.

Master judge Sam Smith, 54, has seen many Seattle collectors make their mark and bring "a tremendous amount of new money to the hobby as a result of the high-tech explosion."

But none like Shirley and his wife, Mary, who have worked on motors at the kitchen table, Smith said.

"They share in the work and share in the pleasure," Smith said of the Shirleys. "They'll be around for a long time."

Mounger, 55, is a Seattle native who graduated from Queen Anne High School. He bought his first collector car — a 1941 Cadillac — when he was 24. He was trying to learn how to restore the car, "when everybody was talking about the mecca for the old-car hobbyist, Pebble Beach."

He first attended Concours in 1982. In 1993, his 1929 Duesenberg won its class award.

"It is just the height," Mounger said. "Carmel is a magical spot and the whole town comes alive."

The Ferrari Club takes over an entire motel. Cars on trailers sit on sandy side streets. You see Bugattis, Maseratis — cars you see only in luxury magazines — parked in grocery-store lots.

With his staff, Mounger accepts about 175 cars for the field in 25 classes. For every car accepted, one or two are turned down.

"We are very concerned about the authenticity and history of the car to make sure that it is pure," Mounger said.

Seattle people seem true to that, he said. Where earlier hobbyists were interested in the engineering and mechanics of their cars, new collectors with new money see them more as art.

"People from the Northwest, by nature, seem more conservative and reserved," Mounger said. "I don't think they are eager to come across as being show-offy. They are more interested in cars for their art value or historic value, as opposed to the flash.

"Tonight Show" host Jay Leno, an avid car collector who has been the master of ceremonies at Concours events for years, said Seattle collectors became prevalent several years ago. And they have maintained their passion for cars, while others fell out with the Dow.

"Seattle people are real enthusiasts," Leno said. "And this is just a lot of fun. A naked woman could come through here and someone would say, 'Hey! She's blocking the car!' "

People settle into their same spots, year after year, like families who claim the same table and chairs at the swim club.

All the while, women will walk around in giant hats, men in suit jackets and crisp shirts. Tents will sell champagne, martinis and cigars. No corn dogs for this crowd.

"The fog settles out there in the bay and the cars start rolling out," Mounger said.

This year at Concours, the featured marque is Cadillac, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary. The show will also feature a class of Maybach Zeppelins and racing Jaguar cars. Sheet metal and speed.

"There's a sickness and there's no cure for it," McMullen said. "But there's a great support group."

Nicole Brodeur: 206-464-2334 or nbrodeur@seattletimes.com