While well-dressed patricians from across the country strolled the grounds of the Pebble Beach Lodge on Sunday, a troupe of Houstonians made very merry during the Concours d'Elegance, the ultimate vintage car show that unfolded on the 18th hole of the famed Pebble Beach Golf Course.

The group had good reason to join in the flowing champagne toasts as one of their own walked off with three awards.

Retired oil executive (National Oilwell) and avid car collector Jim Fasnacht took bows with first and second place in the Ruxton class and received a special Rolex award for his dedication to assembling a historic class of cars. Fasnacht has more than 60 cars in his collection, seven of which are the rare Ruxtons, each of them on display at Pebble Beach.

Also welcomed to show their prized wheels at the invitation-only Concours were Houstonians Janie and Roberto Quiroz, entering their 1956 Maserati in the competition, and retired oil exec John Bookout, Jr. whose 1951 Maserati A6G 2000 Frua Spyder earned a third place in its class.

As is tradition, the partying unfolds across the verdant lawn overlooking the Pacific Ocean as guests dress up, some in vintage costuming and most all in hats, and set up their gourmet picnic parties across the grounds. The champagne, preferably Cristal, flows. The afternoon feasts are catered with lavish menus including every rich delight from caviar to succulent fried chicken.

Houstonians among those dressing up for the festive afternoon were Cathy and Dr. Gary Brock, Randa and K.C. Weiner, Julie Culver, Nancy and David Pustka, Amy and John Aubrey and Dr. Mark Brinker.

Jim Fasnacht has had a love of cars since he was 7 and began collecting at age 16. The 59-year-old still has his first acquisition — a Corvette Stingray. He shares that love of cars with Evelyn. "And yes, I collect," she tells CultureMap. "But my taste runs to the cheap seats — micros and minis like the Crosley, the BMW Isetta, Messerschmitt and a few art cars."