If the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade and its companion Rose Bowl football game are the “granddaddy” of the New Year’s celebration events, then the Monterey Car Week highlighted by next Sunday’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is surely the automotive world’s equivalent.
In sleepy, upscale Carmel-by-the Sea car enthusiasts from around the nation and the world are gathering for this week’s glamorous whirlwind of activity. A number of our LCOC members are here for the fun. We’ll be heading to auctions, cars shows, car cruises, barbecues and other social events throughout the week and reporting on our activities as time permits. This year, Lincoln is a featured marque as we commemorate 100 years of our luxury brand’s membership in the Ford family. We don’t know exactly what adventures lay ahead, but we can be assured the week will be unforgettable.
We drove here in a brand new Lincoln Nautilus that was comfy and performed flawlessly using its Apple Car Play feature for navigation—even though it kept trying to turn us south on Highway 101, which was opposite to the direction we were heading, perhaps in an effort to help us avoid the bad traffic tie-ups on the 101 Freeway heading out of SoCal.
An impressive heat wave has gripped the lower part of the state for over a week with no sign of easing off. I’m hoping the gardeners heed my instructions to deep soak the potted plants at home on successive Saturdays or my yard will be a death zone once we return. No such worries up here. It was a relief to open windows at night and get cool, fresh air.
Our rented home in Carmel is an authentic, unrestored 1947 ranch style house with spacious living areas and bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a tiny kitchen. JIm Ayres’ photos from our short walk to the beach show our neighborhood of quaint cottages looking straight out of a Harry Potter novel competing for space with larger upscale homes, including one well known dwelling designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. A walk around the neighborhood is a designer’s delight, and we arrived Saturday evening in time to watch the sun set over the Pacific and enjoy a great local salmon cakes or fish with chips, cole slaw or vegetable dinner.
Once we cleared the traffic jams we had clear sailing after Santa Barbara, viewing peaceful rolling hills, live oaks, grape vines and crops along the way. As we turned westward out of the very hot (up to 103 degrees) agra zone toward the coastline we passed the famous Laguna Seca Raceway, about two miles from the coast.
Each time I am in this part of the state I can’t help but remember James Dean, who was heading to Laguna Seca, but lost his life in a terrible crash in Cholame, an unincorporated community in San Luis Obispo County not far from Paso Robles.
Races were in progress at Laguna Seca Suday as part of the Car Week activity. In fact, road races through the local streets were scheduled here prior to the first Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, held in 1950 as kind of a small sidebar social event to compliment the racing. The road race and the concours were held concurrently through 1956, when the death of Ernie McAfee brought racing to an end on the tight tree-lined roads of Del Monte Forest. A purpose-built raceway was constructed just inland, at Laguna Seca taking the pressure off the local streets.
According to the concours Website, the concours continued to gain in prestige and popularity over the years but criticism of some of the cars not being driven enough resulted in a change in 1998 where organizers asked concours entries to prove themselves. They invited them to participate in a tour of the area — part driving test, part social outing — just a few days prior to the concours.
As incentive, they stipulated that cars that participated in the tour would have the advantage if they tied in concours class competition. Also on offer was a new Elegance in Motion trophy.
Seventy cars, about a third of entrants, participated in that first Tour, and it was deemed a grand success. Today, about 80 percent of concours competitors traverse the scenic 70-mile route of the tour — and they are cheered by spectators all along the way.
But always waiting at the finish line are glasses of champagne and the gift of a green ribbon to mark each car’s successful completion of the tour.
I hope this short post piques your interest in the events of Monterrey Car Week. Here’s just a small sample of the myriad of events scheduled. We hope you enjoy our coverage.
Saturday & Sunday August 13-14, All Day Event
MONTEREY PRE-REUNION – Laguna Seca Raceway Tickets $40, Parking $10
The Monterey Pre-Reunion provides racing fans and visitors with the chance to see more than 300 race cars competing for two full days prior to the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. The paddock is bustling with teams working on their cars in the pits or on their way to pre-grid. The paddock is completely open to wander for enjoying the historic racing experience.
Monday August 15, 4PM – 7PM
PORSCHE MONTEREY CLASSIC – 1781 Del Monte Blvd., Seaside
Porsche Monterey celebrating its designation as a Porsche Classic Partner at “The Porsche Monterey Classic”, an exclusive Porsche event highlighting Classic Porsches, while enjoying music, whiskey, wine and hors d’oeuvres.
Monday – Wednesday August 15 – 17, 10AM – 6PM
AUTOMOBILIA MONTEREY EXPO – Embassy Suites, Seaside Admission $20
The largest automobilia show in America, and the only time during Concours Week to find 40+ top international dealers in a single venue. A great expo to check out vintage scale models, signs, hood ornaments, books and more.
Tuesday August 16, 3PM – 7PM
CLASSIC MOTORSPORTS MAGAZINE KICKOFF CRUISE-IN – Downtown Pacific Grove (Free)
The Classic Motorsports Monterey Kickoff presented by Hagerty is once again returning to beautiful Pacific Grove for 2022! Awesome cars, great people, perfect weather, and kind of magic that only happens during Monterey Car Week.
Wednesday August 17, 9AM – 4PM
MONTEREY JET CENTER AUCTION PREVIEW – 300 SkyPark Dr., Monterey
Preview free, open to the public. Broad Arrow Auctions will host its first live auction in Monterey in conjunction with Hagerty’s Motorlux event (formerly McCall’s Motorworks Revival) located at the Monterey Jet Center. The auction will feature approximately 80 exceptional motor cars within the grounds of this spectacular event, kicking off Monterey Car Week in grand style.
Wednesday August 17, 12 Noon – 5PM
THE LITTLE CAR SHOW – Downtown Pacific Grove (Free)
The Little Car Show showcases all marques from all countries. Expecting more than 100 vehicles 25 years and older. From micro, mini and arcane vehicles with no greater than 1,601cc displacement engines or electric powered vehicles, you’ll enjoy this special show.
Wednesday & Thursday August 17,18 9AM – 6PM
BONHAMS QUAIL LODGE AUCTION PREVIEW – Auction Day Friday 11AM
GOODING & COMPANY PEBBLE BEACH AUCTION PREVIEW – Auction Friday 5PM, Saturday 11AM
Thursday August 18, 7AM – 9AM
PEBBLE BEACH TOUR D’ELEGANCE
7am Cars line up on Portola Road in Pebble Beach 9am Tour departs 12pm Tour returns to Pebble Beach
The tour features more than 150 Concours entrants seeking to prove they are roadworthy and gain an advantage in the Concours as they trace a scenic route on Highway One. The traditional Tour traces portions of the original 17-Mile Drive, traverses nearby mountains and valleys, and pauses for a time in charming Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Thursday August 18, 9AM – 3PM
LEGENDS OF THE AUTOBAHN – Pacific Grove Golf Links, 77 Asilomar Blvd. (Free, Parking $25)
Legends of the Autobahn, presented by Michelin, will take place at PG Links in Pacific Grove, during the famed Pebble Beach Concours week. Over 300 cars will be displayed throughout the PG Links along with exhibits from event sponsors. Join the BMW Car Club of America, the Mercedes Club of America, and the Audi Club of North America—the world’s preeminent German-marque car clubs—at the annual Legends of The Autobahn Concours d’Elegance.
Thursday – Sunday 9:30 – 5:30
PEBBLE BEACH RETRO AUTO – Concours Village
RetroAuto exhibitors represent a variety of retail and manufacturing categories, including rare collectables, historic automobilia, art and literature as well as luxury items, technological tools and official Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance merchandise.
Thursday August 18, 11AM – 3PM
PRANCING PONIES ALL WOMAN CAR SHOW – Downtown, Carmel by the Sea
Thursday – Saturday August 18 – 20 8AM – 6PM
MECUM MONTEREY AUCTION – Hyatt Regency, Monterey
Friday August 19
LOC CLUB PICNIC, Santa Cruz-Soquel
Friday August 19, 10AM – 4PM
RM SOTHEBY’S MONTEREY AUCTION PREVIEW – Auction Friday & Saturday 5:30PM (bidders only)
Friday August 19, 12 Noon – 6PM
PACIFIC GROVE CONCOURS AUTO RALLY- Lighthouse Avenue, Pacific Grove
The Pacific Grove Concours Auto Rally is a classic. Over 200 vintage and exotic automobiles line the picturesque historic downtown business area on Lighthouse Avenue. No auctions here, just plenty of opportunities for food, fun and photographs of some of the finest vintage automobiles around. Stop by one of the Butterfly Town’s many downtown restaurants and enjoy a delicious meal or drinks in between viewings at the event.
The event is geared for enthusiasts who own, drive, or appreciate all cars, especially vintage, classic, sports, and luxury vehicles.
Friday August 19, 5PM, Saturday August 20 11AM
GOODING & COMPANY PEBBLE BEACH AUCTION
Saturday August 20, 8AM – 1:30PM
CONCOURS D’LEMONS – 440 Harcourt Ave. Seaside (Free admission)
An ugly oil stain on the Monterey and Pebble Beach Auto Week, the Concours d’LeMons returns once again to Seaside, CA. Hoopties, Rust Buckets, Misfits, Mistakes and the worst of the automotive world will be on display and as always celebrity judges will be accepting bribes for our Thrift Shop sourced trophies. The best part is that the show is free for participants and spectators, so you’ll get exactly what you pay for.
Saturday August 20, 8AM – 6PM
MECUM MONTEREY AUCTION – Hyatt Regency, Monterey
We have pre-paid bidder & guest passes for 4.
Sunday August 21
THE HIGHLIGHT PEBBLE BEACH CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE
5PM – Dinner at Clint Eastwood’s Mission Ranch Restaurant, Carmel
You must be logged in to post a comment.