Memorable Moments from This Year’s Monterey Car Week

September 24, 2024 2:30 AM

Monterey Car Week is to car aficionados what the MET Gala is to the fashion world—an exclusive event where the most luxurious and visionary designs are showcased each year. At the heart of this ten day celebration are two events that stand head and shoulders above the rest: The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, and the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Each offers a distinct yet complementary experience, blending the past, present, and future of the automotive industry in a way that is both luxurious and impactful.

 

The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering

 

Since its debut in 2003, The Quail has established itself as more than just a car show. Held at the idyllic Quail Lodge & Golf Club in Carmel Valley, this event has become a crucial platform for automakers to connect with their most discerning customers. Unlike the impersonal, fluorescent-lit convention centers of traditional auto shows, The Quail offers a garden-party setting where manufacturers can engage directly with highly-influential clientele in a relaxed, yet sophisticated atmosphere. This personal touch makes it one of the most powerful venues for brand-building in the automotive world.

 

Automakers from around the globe now view The Quail as a must-attend event, where the stakes are high, and the rewards are substantial. In 2024, Lamborghini chose this prestigious stage to unveil its latest marvel, the Temerario, a hybrid successor to the Huracán. With its 907-horsepower engine and cutting-edge design, the Temerario perfectly encapsulated the innovation and performance that The Quail has become known for. But it wasn’t just Lamborghini making headlines; the event also featured the debut of the Pininfarina B95 Gotham, an all-electric roadster inspired by the iconic Bruce Wayne, showcasing the blend of luxury and futurism that defines today’s high-end automotive market.

 

 

What makes The Quail particularly compelling for automakers is its ability to offer a more personal, curated experience. This event isn’t just about showcasing the latest in automotive technology— it's about telling the story of each brand in a way that resonates deeply with an elite audience. As McLaren CEO Michael Leiters remarked, “For the United States, but also globally, this is one of the most important places to showcase your brand. It’s a much more intimate way to get in contact with our customers.” This level of engagement is invaluable in today’s market, where consumers are looking for more than just a product—they’re looking for an experience.

 

Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance

 

If The Quail is the stage for contemporary luxury and innovation, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is the hallowed ground of automotive history. Held annually on the final fairway of the Pebble Beach Golf Links, this event is the most prestigious car show in the world, where the finest collector cars are judged not only on their beauty but also on their historical significance and authenticity.

 

The 2024 Pebble Beach Concours was a landmark event, as it marked the first time in history that an unrestored vehicle took home the top honor. The 1934 Bugatti Type 59 Sports, a car steeped in racing heritage, was awarded “Best of Show” for its remarkable preservation and the story it tells of a bygone era. This victory is emblematic of a broader trend in the automotive world, where originality and provenance are increasingly valued over perfection and restoration.

 

But the Bugatti wasn’t the only pre-war gem to captivate the crowd. This year’s event showcased an impressive array of vintage American and French cars, including several other Bugatti models, a striking 1907 Packard 30 Runabout, a vibrant red Duesenberg convertible, and a Peugeot 302 DS. The field also featured rare finds like the 1937 Lincoln K LeBaron and the lesser-known Locomobile Model 48. Pre-war cars have always been a staple at Pebble Beach, but this year, the event delivered an extraordinary selection of these automotive treasures, with many deep cuts making a memorable appearance.

 

 

 

 

Pebble Beach attracts cars from all corners of the globe, each with a story to tell. Whether it’s the sleek lines of a 1964 Lamborghini 350 GT or the timeless elegance of a 1925 Bugatti Type 30 Torpedo, the Pebble Beach Concours offers a rare opportunity to see the finest examples of automotive design in one place. This year’s event also included commemorations of significant milestones, such as the 110th anniversary of Maserati and the 70th year of the Jaguar D-Type, further cementing its status as a must-attend for anyone passionate about cars.

 

Mind-blowing Wedge Concept Cars and Prototypes

 

The Wedge-Shaped Concept Cars and Prototypes class at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance was a showstopper, captivating the audience with its display of futuristic and daring automotive designs. This segment was a celebration of the bold and innovative spirit that drives the automotive industry forward, featuring vehicles that pushed the boundaries of what cars could look like and how they could perform.

 

 

The class showcased some of the most imaginative and radical designs ever conceived, each one a testament to the visionary thinking of its creators. Among the standout vehicles was the 1970 Ferrari 512S Modulo, a car that looked like it had driven straight out of a sci-fi movie. Its sleek, otherworldly appearance drew crowds of admirers, all eager to get a closer look at this piece of automotive art. 

 

Designed by Paolo Martin at Pininfarina, the Modulo is one of Ferrari's most profound designs, featuring a sliding canopy for entry and a minimalistic, streamlined profile that set it apart from anything else on the road—or in the world. Its appearance at Pebble Beach was a reminder of how far ahead of its time the Modulo was and how its design continues to inspire awe.

 

 

The 1975 Lamborghini Countach LP-400 Periscopio was another crowd favorite, and for good reason. This car is often credited with defining the wedge-shaped supercar aesthetic that dominated the late 20th century. Its sharply angled lines, low profile, and distinctive scissor doors made it an instant icon when it was first unveiled. The "Periscopio" name comes from the periscope-like rearview mirror system that was originally intended to help the driver see over the car's massive rear deck. Though the concept was later abandoned, the name stuck, adding to the car's legendary status.

 

 

Another fascinating entry was the 1966 Cannara Roadster, a car that embodies the spirit of American ingenuity and creativity. Designed by Ray Cannara, an art student from Pasadena, the Cannara Roadster was a home-built marvel. With its sleek, wedge-shaped body and powerful 350 Chevy small-block engine, the Cannara was a car that not only looked fast but was fast. Ray Cannara famously drove the car across the country twice in 1966, proving that this hand-crafted creation was more than just a showpiece.

 

 

The 1993 Vector W8 Coupe represented a different era of automotive excess and ambition. With its twin-turbo 6.0-liter V8 engine, the Vector W8 was one of the most powerful cars of its time, capable of reaching top speeds that were previously unheard of. Only 17 of these futuristic machines were ever built, making the W8 an incredibly rare sight. Its angular, aggressive design was a perfect example of the 90s' fascination with technology and performance, and its presence at Pebble Beach was a thrilling reminder of an era when anything seemed possible in the world of supercars.

 

 

Finally, the 2016 United Nude Lo-Res Car was perhaps the most avant-garde vehicle on display. Designed by the innovative firm United Nude, known for their work in fashion and design, the Lo-Res Car stripped away all unnecessary details to reveal the essence of automotive form. With its polygonal, almost abstract shape, the Lo-Res Car looked more like a digital rendering brought to life than a functioning vehicle. It was a striking contrast to the more traditional designs on display and a bold statement about the future of car design, where function and form are constantly being redefined.

 

 

Together, The Quail and Pebble Beach form the cornerstone of Monterey Car Week, offering a comprehensive look at the automotive world’s past, present, and future. For automakers, these events are not just about displaying cars—they’re about making a statement. They’re about showing the world what their brand stands for, whether it’s through the launch of a cutting-edge new model at The Quail or the celebration of a historic vehicle at Pebble Beach.

 

Whether you’re sipping champagne on the lawn at The Quail or admiring the patina of a classic car at Pebble Beach, Monterey Car Week is a celebration of the automobile in all its forms. It’s a place where the lines between art, engineering, and passion blur, creating an experience that is as unforgettable as the cars themselves.

 

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