Guessing the the Best of Show at the 2012 Pebble Beach Concours was a tough call with far more serious contenders for Best in Show than in recent memory.
After much discussion among the judges, it was Paul Andrews' 1928 Mercedes-Benz 680S Saoutchik Torpedo that came out on top.
Fresh from a four year restoration by Paul Russell & Co, the interior by Alpina featured 670 lizard skins.
Winner of the Classic & Sports Car's Best open car was Sam Mann's 1929 DuPont Model G Merrimac Speedster.
Just 273 were built and the Continental-powered roadster was one of the fastest sports cars on American roads in 1929.
Many regulars felt the 2012 event was a vintage year with spectacular special groups including Mercers, the flamboyant Saoutchik coachwork, cars of the Maharajahs and Cobras.
Most distinctive exhaust noise on the fabled fairway was Ted Davis' 1911 Franklin D race car.
The well preserved air-cooled straight six had 12 exhausts and when motoring up the winner's ramp it sounded like a P51 Mustang fighter.