The 2021 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance was an automotive Elysium: Hundreds of cars scarcely seen in the wild line the famed golf course’s 18th fairway for enthusiasts to view up close, as they usually do for this annual event. But it was all the more special as the 70th installment since COVID-19 canceled the 2020 event.
Each year, Monterey’s Car Week’s crescendo is so packed with the finest and rarest examples of automotive history, we worry a few crown jewels might get crowded off the fairway and take the plunge into Stillwater Cove. Thankfully, none have suffered any flood damage—so far.
There were 230 autos in all at the 2021 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, curated from discerning collectors around the globe. We wandered the rows in wonder and admiration of each, but some left a lasting impression. Here are 13 models we found on the 18th fairway we can’t stop thinking about.
Our Favorite Cars From the 2021 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
1. Best in Show: 1938 Mercedes-Benz 540K Autobahn Kurier
This swooping, elegant beauty nabbed Best in Show honors at this year’s installment. The design’s flawless lines evoke an alluring 1930s sense of speed tempered with exquisite beauty—surely a showstopper worthy of the trophy.
2. 1931 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GT Touring Coupé
Jack Braam Ruben — Maastrict, The Netherlands
While we probably wouldn’t drive it much, this Alfa Romeo is an extremely unique piece. Perhaps the only 6C 1750 left of the three (or four) that were made by Alfa in the early ‘30s; its Carrozzeria Touring coachwork was an evolutionary step toward Superleggera construction that Carrozzeria pioneered.
3. 1965 Aston Martin DB5 Vantage Convertible
Lawrence Stroll: Warwickshire, England
James Bond’s DB5 was a hardtop, but given our druthers we’d rather drive the convertible a convertible. Only 123 DB5 droptops were made and only five of those came with the Vantage spec.
4. 1948 Bentley Mark VI Facel-Métallon Cresta Coupé
Fred and Donna Kriz: Monaco
This post-war Bentley was the first to be finished by famed Italian coach builder Pinin Farina. Rumored to be one of only 13 Crestas made, the gracefully elegant lines of this two-door fastback make it one for the ages.
5. 1929 Bugatti Type 35B Grand Prix
The Pearl Collection/Fritz Burhard: Switzerland
The Type 35 is an icon of pre-war racing and an early example of Bugatti’s technical prowess with its hollow front axle, cast aluminum wheels, and integrated brake drums. This eight-cylinder Bugatti won the 1929 Spanish and French Grand Prixs, and sold at the 2021 Pebble Beach Auctions for a shade over $5.6 million.
6. 1960 Ferrari 250 GT Pinin Farina Cabriolet Speciale
Robert Davis: Elizabeth, NJ
Originally built for a French lawyer and friend of Enzo Ferrari, this stunning 250 sits on a short-wheelbase chassis, is powered by a V12, and outfitted with a lightweight, alloy gearbox. It also features a removable hard-top roof.
7. 1966 Ford GT40 Mark I Coupe
Janus Associates: San Clemente, California
There’s no clear winner in the battle of the blues when it comes to Ford vs Ferrari on this list, but this was the singular GT40 to get an Opalescent Sliver Blue paint job. One of only 31 Mark 1 road cars, this 1966 Ford GT40 Mark I Coupe served as pace car at the 1967 Laguna Seca Can-Am race, where it was driven by legendary racer Stirling Moss and James Garner, aka Jim Rockford.
8. 1970 Iso Grifo Bertone 7 Litri Coupe
Michael Eckstein: Kirkland, Washington
The slightly obscure Italian brand Iso Grifo only produced cars between 1963 and 1974, designing and building its wares in Italy but using American-made engines. This car is one of only 15 seven-liters that features the sought after five-speed ZF transmission.
Painted in her favorite color, this Countach was originally constructed and customized with white accents for Princess Dalal pint Saud Al Saud as a birthday gift.
10. 1936 Lancia Astura Series III Tipo Bocca Pinin Farina Cabriolet
Robert Bishop: Palm Beach, Florida
Of the pre-war Pinin Farinas, this was our favorite. To look at it is to know love. Named for an Island off the Italian west coast, during the Astura’s production run between 1932 and 1939, around 3,000 were built.
11. 1964 Mercedes-Benz 230 SL Pininfarina Coupe
Russell Hook: La Jolla, California
This one-of-one 230 SL, AKA the Pagoda, was conjured by Tom Tjaarda, who was then in his freshman year designing for Pininfarina. The special version is as clean as they come with a permanently fixed roof rather than a detachable hard top the production model featured.
12. 1896 Riker Electric Roadster
Richard and Judy Riker: Grant’s Pass, Oregon
Most people don’t know there were several makers experimenting with electric-powered automobiles more than a century before Elon Musk sold his first Tesla. This single seater uses five batteries to power its electric 3HP motor. So, it doesn’t have a ‘Ludicrous’ mode, but it was still quick for the time.
13. 1964 Porsche 904 GTS Coupe
The Ingram Collection: Durham, North Carolina
Perhaps the most visually arresting Porsche of all time, the 904 was built for racing. This precursor to the legendary 917 series featured a light-weight fiberglass exterior and a flat, four-cylinder engine with a top speed of 160mph.
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There’s no doubt when the weather turns colder as we settle into winter, stouts take center stage. And while we enjoy all its iterations: standard stout, imperial stout, and robust barrel-aged stouts, we think this malty, chocolate-filled beer’s close cousin deserves a little respect as well. Of course, we’re talking about the oft-overlooked porter. And the best porters, oh buddy, they’ll have you rethinking your seasonal bevvie of choice.
For those uninitiated, the porter style had its genesis in England like many other iconic beer styles. It first appeared in the 1700s and is (you guessed it) named after porters—individuals tasked with transporting luggage.
A confusing origin story
“Stout is the direct descendant of porter. In the 1700s, it was common to use the word ‘stout’ to refer to a bolder, higher-alcohol version of any beer style, much in the same way we use the word ‘imperial’ today,” says Zach Fowle, advanced cicerone and head of marketing for Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. in Phoenix, AZ. “Porter was the most popular beer of the day, and over time, “stout porter” became a popular variant. But by the late 1800s, demand for regular porters evaporated, and stout porter shortened simply to stout.”
But more has changed between the 1800s and today than just our penchant for wearing top hats. “Today, most brewers seem to market beers as either stout or porter based on vibes, rather than on any notable stylistic differences,” he says.
Specifically, porters are known for their dark, almost pitch-black color and rich, sweet flavor profile. If you were to drink a porter and a stout side by side, you might even have difficulty discerning the differences between the two.
Stout versus porter is an enduring topic of discussion in the brewing industry. “While there’s no debating the porter came first—and stout used to be called stout porter, so it was a stronger version of a porter—the lines have become very blurred over the years,” says Rob Lightner, co-founder of East Brother Brewing in Richmond, CA.
“I would venture that even among professionals, a blind taste test would often yield inconclusive results,” says Lightner.
The difference between porters and stouts
Porters tend to be on the milder, more chocolatey end of the spectrum, Lightner says, whereas stouts are typically a little stronger and more roasty. Of course, this isn’t a hard and fast rule
Fowle agrees, “Porters tend to be fruitier, sweeter, and less bitter than stouts, with cocoa and caramel flavors in balance with dark malt bitterness. And stouts are usually hoppier, drier, maltier, and more coffee-forward—and may even have a touch of acidity.”
Whether or not they fit neatly into boxes, one thing’s for sure: both make for incredible cold-weather brews.
“As the nights grow longer, drinking a light, summery beer just doesn’t seem right,” says Fowle. “Porter is the perfect style for the transition to winter: warming and toasty yet not too heavy, with flavors of coffee, chocolate, and pie crust that correspond with autumn weather and holidays.”
It’s the perfect time to broaden your repretoire. Sweet, robust, warming, and well-suited to the season, here are the best porters to drink now.
1. Deschutes Black Butte Porter
There are few porters more well-respected than Deschutes’ iconic Black Butte Porter. It’s brewed with Cascade and Tettnang hops as well as 2-row, Chocolate, Crystal, and Carapils malts as well as wheat. This 5.5% ABV year-round offering is great for cold-weather drinking because of its mix of roasted malts, coffee, and chocolate. It’s a robust, subtly sweet beer perfect for imbibing on a crisp fall night.
The key to 360-degree muscle: 90-degree eccentric isometrics. It might seem like we’re throwing a lot of geometry at you, but the concept behind time under tension (TUT) is simple, says Joel Seedman, PhD, owner of Advanced Human Performance: “Perform the lowering phase of a movement in a slow, controlled fashion, usually 3 to 5 seconds; pause in the stretched position, typically around 90 degrees; then perform the lifting phase in a powerful yet controlled fashion.” Believe us, a time-under-tension workout can humble even seasoned lifters…Eccentric isometrics are like the pressure cooker of training.
“Rather than mindlessly performing slow-tempo reps, you’re using the increased time under tension as a means to fine-tune your body mechanics and alignment, which requires more mental engagement and focus,” Seedman adds.
If you want to forge functional muscle mass and strength while simultaneously bulletproofing the joints and connective tissue, give this 10-move, full-body eccentric isometrics workout a go.
Directions
Perform the following moves as 90-degree eccentric isometrics following the above protocol. Use heavy weight, but not at the detriment of proper form. Rest 60 to 90 seconds between sets and 2 minutes between circuits. Perform once every 2 to 4 days for optimal results.
Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength
Circuit 1
A. Barbell Back Squat
Set a squat rack up with heavy weight, then grasp bar and step under it. Squeeze shoulder blades together, then stand to unrack bar and step back with feet shoulder-width apart. Inhale, hinge at hips and slowly bend knees to 90 degrees. Pause, keeping natural arch in low back, then extend through hips to powerfully stand. 3 x 4-6 reps
B. Renegade Row
Start in the top position of a pushup with hands shoulder-width apart on moderate-to-heavy dumbbells (shown). Explosively drive right elbow back to row dumbbell toward ribs while balancing on opposite hand and feet. Pause, then slowly lower weight, stopping a few inches above floor. Switch sides after all reps are done. 3 x 5 reps each side
Circuit 2
A. Dumbbell Bentover Row
Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding two moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in front of thighs, palms facing you. Push hips back and hinge torso forward so it’s nearly parallel to floor, soft bend in knees. Dumbbells should be near shins. Drive elbows back to row weights toward ribs. Pause, then slowly lower down for 3 to 5 seconds. 3 x 4-5 reps
B. Incline Dumbbell Chest Press with Legs Raised
Set an adjustable bench to a 30- to 45-degree angle and lie back with dumbbells in either hand. Engage core and lift legs off floor, flexing feet. Press weights overhead, palms in. Slowly lower to 90 degrees, staying tight and compact. Pause, then drive weights up directly over chest. 3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 3
A. Dumbbell Bulgarian Squat
Stand lunge-length in front of a flat bench, holding heavy dumbbells in each hand by your sides, palms facing in. Rest the ball on top (shoe’s laces) of your right foot behind you on the bench. Slowly lower your body until your front thigh is parallel to the floor. Pause, then drive through your heel to stand. Switch sides after all reps are complete. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
B. Single-leg Romanian Deadlift
Stand with feet hip-width apart holding dumbbells or kettlebells. Drive right leg up, foot flexed, knee aligned with hip, making a 90-degree angle. Hinge at hips as you slowly lever your torso toward floor, lowering weights and driving right leg back for counterbalance. Hold, then squeeze glutes to reverse. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
Circuit 4
A. Pullup
Hang from a pullup bar using an overhand grip with legs extended and feet flexed. Engage lats and draw shoulders down your back, then pull yourself up until chin is higher than hands. Pause at the top, then slowly lower. Pause at bottom, then reset before your next rep. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
B. Kneeling Overhead Barbell Press
Hold a bar with moderate-to-heavy load at shoulder level with forearms perpendicular to floor. Kneel at end of bench with feet flexed to grip edge for support. Inhale, engage your core and glutes, then press the bar overhead, pushing your head forward so it passes your face, exhaling at the top. Slowly lower until elbows are at 90 degrees, then hold to maintain tension. Begin your next rep from here. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 5
A. Dumbbell Pushup
Place hands on dumbbells (this provides greater range of motion) at shoulder width and feet wider than shoulder width with just toes touching the ground. Keep head neutral and hips high to increase tension on core, chest and tris and reduce stress on spine. Slowly lower to the floor. Stop once elbows hit 90 degrees, pause, then push up to start. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
B. Biceps Curl
Stand with feet hip-width apart with moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in each hand hanging by sides. Engage biceps to curl the weights up, keeping upper arms still. Pause at the top, then lower slowly. Don’t let arms drop all the way down to keep greater time under tension on biceps. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
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If you haven’t picked up a jump rope since elementary school, you’re missing out on a fantastic cardio workout. Not only will you burn a ton of calories in a short amount of time—200 to 300 calories in 15 minutes—but jump ropes can also improve your coordination and agility. Better yet, jumping rope doesn’t require much space, so it’s easy to do at home, and it’s often more mentally stimulating than jogging or swimming.
Choosing a Jump Rope
When deciding which jump rope is best for you, it’s important to determine what your goals are. While lightweight speed ropes are popular for cardio-focused training, weighted or drag ropes will be best for those focused on strength training.
No matter what your training goals are, we’ve got you covered with this roundup of 10 jump ropes from top brands including Crossrope, TRX, Rogue, and more.
The Best Jump Ropes of 2022
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