From An Old Barn To The Lawn At Pebble

LIBERTYVILLE, Ill., Aug. 26, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Proudly displayed on the famed eighteenth fairway of Pebble Beach Golf Links in Carmel, CA on Sunday, "The Countess" – as the Feather white 1958 BMW 503 Series II Cabriolet is affectionately named by its owner – flaunts a bright white ribbon for placing third in the Post-War Touring category of the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. A green ribbon also waves in the wind – a symbolic nod to the car's completion of the Tour d'Elegance early that week, winding along the scenic 17-Mile Drive through mountains, valleys, and even an honorary lap around Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

Shining like a diamond in the warm California sun, it's hard to believe that just four years ago, The Werk Shop located and recovered this rare gem from an out-barn of a European car repair facility in New Albany, Ohio. Then, more of a diamond-in-the-rough, as the car had sat untouched, covered in dirt and debris, for over 35 years. One of just 139 Cabriolets produced.

Word of this unique discovery traveled fast and shortly after being transported back to The Werk Shop, the 503 was sold to Karra Canum, who commissioned The Werk Shop to do a complete concours quality restoration, in the hopes she could one day compete at the Pebble Beach Concours.

After the restoration was completed in 2013, Canum was invited to participate in the Pebble Beach Motoring Classic, a 1,500-mile journey from the Seattle area to Monterey, CA. It was quite an ambitious adventure for the newly restored car but one that proved quite fruitful and finished the trek without issue.

"This car has quite an incredible rags to riches story – from barn find to the world's premier celebration of the automobile," said Michael Marijanovic, owner, of The Werk Shop. "It's always amazing to produce a full restoration of this caliber to the delight of a very satisfied customer. Having our work validated by the meticulous judges of Pebble just takes it to the next level!"

It was an incredible day of celebration for all involved. Though several of The Werk Shop's restorations have been recognized with the prestigious BMW North America Concours Trophy at BMW CCA's Oktoberfest, the 503 is the first to be invited to compete at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. The third place win was also a major victory for BMW as a marque – it's been almost five decades since a post-war BMW has been on the podium in an open class at Pebble. Competition in this challenging open class was fierce including a one-off Alfa Romeo, 1946 Delahey, 1948 re-bodied Rolls Royce, Cisitalia, Talbot-Lago, two Bentleys, and a Jaguar XK120 prototype (winner in the class).

About The Werk Shop
The Werk Shop has been restoring BMWs for many years and is recognized as the premier BMW restoration shop in the world. With extensive experience in both pre-and post-war models, The Werk Shop's projects have won numerous awards and have been featured in the most trusted publications in the industry. For additional information, see www.thewerkshop.com.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140822/138992

SOURCE The Werk Shop