Rancho Santa Fe couple’s Rolls-Royce wins at Pebble Beach Concours

Ken and Ann Smith of Rancho Santa Fe and La Jolla recently won a First Place award for their Rolls-Royce Phantom V Sedanca de Ville (by James Young Coachbuilders) at the famed Pebble Beach Concours on the Monterey Peninsula.

The Smiths are no strangers to the concours world, having participated on the La Jolla Concours every year from its inception, as well as other concours events across the country, with frequent wins for the cars in their collection.

Previously, their 1929 Packard Dual Cowl Phaeton took a First Place at Pebble Beach Concours, as well.

The James Young Sedanca de Ville coachwork features a hardtop that slides into the rear portion of the roof, leaving the front compartment completely open. A metal flap closes to conceal the retracted hardtop. Only seven examples exist worldwide.

“We were highly honored to receive such a fine award, especially against such outstanding cars,” said Ken Smith. The Smith car collection includes various luxury brands, which changes from time to time, including Rolls Royce, Ferrari, Packard, Aston Martin, Jaguar, Corvette, and the prize member — a 1936 Delahaye 135 Competition Convertible by Figoni-Falaschi Coachbuilders, which has won numerous Best of Show awards across the country.

Prior to the concours event, the Smiths participated in a Tour d”Elegance, an 80-mile drive that was led by race drivers Sir Sterling Moss and Sir Jackie Stewart. The tour covered parts of the famed 17-Mile Drive in Pebble Beach, and then to Laguna Seca Raceway for a lap before a 50-mile round trip along the scenic drive to Big Sur, returning to Carmel Village for a buffet lunch.

The competition is divided into classes with the Sedanca participating in the Rolls Royce Phantom IV, V and VI class. Phantoms are larger Rolls Royces often designed to be limousines.

Smith is retired from the marketing/advertising business and sells collectible cars from his offices at Concours Coaches on Herschel Avenue in La Jolla.