

s
a final tribute to Henri Labourdette's genius, the skiff was selected by a
committee comprised of the most distinguished automobile designers and builders
in the world as the Most Elegant Open Car at the 2001 Pebble Beach Concours
d’Elegance. According to one insider, only the intervention of one of the
show’s directors kept this “horseless carriage” from capturing Best of Show.
This was made more believable by the car’s performance at subsequent shows.
In September it was awarded Best of Show at the Palos Verdes Concours d'Elegance
and most recently, Best of Show and the Branch Kerfoot trophy at the Orange
Coast Concours d’Elegance. Even so, after three years of blood, sweat and
tears our greatest reward has been to hear people who appreciate the art of
automobile design comment on the wonderful degree of balance, poise and detail
that Labourdette achieved in this, one of his greatest designs. If that is
evident in the work we have done, then our dream has been realized.


