When you see the class winners at Pebble Beach and other concours events, the cars are the stars. An owner like Ralph Lauren is someone you may be familiar with by name, but generally these collectors might as well be any random person you pass by at your local Patek Philippe store. One of the greatest of these aficionados, Arturo Keller, has passed away at the age of 91.
Born in Mexico City to a Swiss family, Arturo has been a long-time participant purveyor of the finest automobiles ever since he bought his Talbot-Lago T150 SS Teardrop Coupe. Along with his wife, Deborah, their 1938 Mercedes-Benz 540K Autobahn Kurier won Best of Show at Pebble Beach in 2021. This was the third time they won that award, all with pre-war Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
In addition to its car collection, the Keller name is known to wine afficionados as the family runs the Keller Estate vineyard in Northern California’s Sonoma Valley. However, Arturo’s main profession has been as a supplier of automotive upholstery to the likes of the Big Three plus manufacturers from Europe and Japan. As you can see, cars have been in Arturo’s blood for most of his life.
Mercedes-Benz has been Arturo’s true love, no doubt due to the marque’s storied history in Le Mans and elsewhere. He collection has been discriminating but has never discriminated, as he is also known for his stable of Ferraris that include the 340 Mexico Berlinetta Vignale Berlinetta that Phil Hill drove in the 1953 Carrera Panamericana.
Arturo Keller is survived by his wife, his children Grace, Lorraine, Arturo, Ana, and their children. Ana in particular will continue her father’s legacy as she herself has exhibited classics at Pebble Beach and is the Estate Director of the Keller Estate vineyard.
