Although technically I was working, the time I spent covering Monterey Car Week this year was so much fun that it almost felt like a vacation.
In fact, the event attracts many amateur car enthusiasts and with a host of free, family-friendly activities, it's the perfect summer getaway.
My week began at the Monterey Jet Center, where I found myself in the middle of Hagerty's glitzy Motorlux event, where the world's top aircraft, motorcycle and car manufacturers showed off their latest products while VIP guests nibbled on hors d'oeuvres and sipped local wine.
Special exhibits included a variety of land vehicles, ice racers, dune buggies, “American Graffiti” style hot rods from the '50s and '60s, and “British Invasion” showcasing iconic British cars.
Broad Arrow Auctions also kicked off a two-day auction with cars such as a Porsche 911 GT1 Rennversion, a Talbot-Lago T150 C Lago Speciale Teardrop Coupe and a Ferrari Enzo.
And it was all for a good cause, benefiting the CHP 11-99 Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the families of California Highway Patrol members in need, and the Naval Postgraduate School Foundation.
On the second day, I attended The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering to view the amazing vehicles on display, with the top prize being a 1937 Delahaye Type 135. But it was some of the more recent vehicles that really impressed me.
I'm talking about the new-for-2005 “baby” Lamborghini, the Temerario, a whopping 10,000-rpm V8 monster supercar. It replaces the Huracán's V10 with a beefy twin-turbo V8 with a 10,000-rpm redline, plus three electric motors. It's still got all-wheel drive, a little more interior space, and some new tech.
But what really matters is its looks and its amazing new powertrain, making it worth taking a look at in person if you get the chance.
The Quail also hosted Bonhams' 27th annual “The Quail Auction,” the longest-running auction held during Monterey Car Week.
Racing fans were excited to see the Rolex-sponsored Monterey Motorsports Reunion, where vintage cars with racing history raced around the track in their natural surroundings.
Monterey Car Week is a big event for anyone enthusiastic about vintage cars, and it's always interesting to see where the top collectors are spending their money and how that changes from year to year.
A 3% decline in overall sales at the Monterey auction may have been a sign of the times, as high bidders also shifted away from the classic pieces that have dominated the market for decades toward more contemporary collectibles.
Ferraris built before 1974 and valued at more than $1 million (commonly referred to as the Picasso of the car collecting world) have been particularly slow to sell.
In contrast, popular cars from the 1990s like the Porsche 911 GT1 and Ferrari 333 SP sold for a whopping $7.045 million and $5.12 million respectively, and these cars may be on track to overtake competition cars from the '50s and '60s as the hottest new investments.
Top 10 Sales of All Auctions:
- 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider — $17,055,000 (RM Sotheby's)
- 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Lungo Spider — $14,030,000 (Gooding & Company)
- 1955 Ferrari 410 Sport Spider — $12,985,000 (RM Sotheby's)
- 1969 Ford GT40 Lightweight — $7,865,000 (Mecum)
- 1997 Porsche 911 GT1 Renault Coupe — $7,045,000 (Broad Arrow Auctions)
- 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider — $5,615,000 (RM Sotheby's)
- 1995 Ferrari F50 Coupe — $5,505,000 (RM Sotheby's)
- 1955 Ferrari 857 S Spider — $5,350,000 (Gooding & Company)
- 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Alloy Coupe — $5,285,000 (RM Sotheby's)
- 1958 Ferrari 250 GT TdF Coupe — $5.2 million (Gooding & Company)
This weekend, head to the 73rd Annual Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance at the famous Pebble Beach Golf Course. This prestigious and impressive concours is the most incredible car show in the world, showcasing dream cars, concept cars, and the most exclusive and unique collector cars, with an emphasis on preserving historically significant automobiles.
Cars are judged not only on their style and technical value, but also on history, originality and accuracy of restoration.For the first time in the history of the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, the Best of Show award was presented to a 1934 Bugatti Type 59 Sport offered by the Pearl Collection/Fritz Burkardt of Zug, Switzerland, an original car that had not been preserved or restored.
With 214 cars on show this year from 29 states and 16 countries, it takes a truly special car to stand out, and this Bugatti, with a history as rich as it is old, did not disappoint. The first-made Type 59 is a rare factory race car that has won multiple Grand Prix races in the hands of some of the greatest racing drivers, and it also has royal connections, having been once owned by King Leopold III of Belgium.
For more information on Monterey Car Week 2024, check out the video below.
– YouTubeYouTube
