Start your engines: It’s time for ten days of cruising, competitions, displays, auctions and other auto-themed action on the Monterey Peninsula.
During this annual salute to design and speed, guests can marvel at unique motor memorabilia, rub shoulders with legendary drivers and view exceptional classic cars at every turn. This at-a-glance guide will help you cruise through the high-octane happenings. Whether you’re looking for family-friendly festivities or invitationonly collectors’ celebrations, you’re sure to find just the event to fuel your interest.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 11
Carmel-by-the-Sea Concours on the Avenue
The Carmel-by-the-Sea Concours on the Avenue returns to its roots in 2009, packing 16 city blocks during one eventful day of multimarque magic. On display are collector’s favorites from 1940 through 1973, plus Porsche and Ferrari gems from the late 1940s through 1989. Held in conjunction with the concours are invite-only Ocean Avenue Motor Club events benefiting the Carmel Foundation. And, to up the festival’s curb appeal, more than 100 shops and restaurants will craft carthemed window displays for the ten-day Concours in the Windows competition opening Friday, August 7. For a complete schedule and more information, please go to www.carmelconcours.com or 404/237-2633.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 13
Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance presented by Rolex
Each year, Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance participants are invited to join in this elite outing, which is inspired by the time when Pebble Beach was better known for scenic roadways than seaside fairways. The tour travels from Collins Field through the Del Monte Forest, and curves along coastal Highway 1 before stopping in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Spectators will enjoy prime viewing along Ocean Avenue from noon to 2pm; from there, drivers return to Pebble Beach for a champagne ceremony. Information: www.pebblebeachconcours.net or831/622-1700.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 14
Concorso Italiano
The sun-dappled hills of Laguna Seca Golf Ranch serve as the new setting for Concorso Italiano, which this year honors special guest Jay Leno with the “La Bella Macchina” award for outstanding contributions and a passion for the automotive industry. He’ll be on hand with one of his collector Fiats; in addition, guests can check out this year’s featured vehicle, the limited-build Alfa 8C Competizione. An array of cars, cycles and yachts will be on exhibit, along with Italian fashion and food tastings. Members of the Ferrari Club of America and Lamborghini Club America will join car enthusiasts gathering on the grounds.
Information and tickets: www.concorso.com or 425/742-0632.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 14
The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering
The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering celebrates speed in 2009 with tributes to the 30th anniversary of BMW’s Motorsport division, the 50th anniversary of Daytona Speedway and renowned German race driver Hans-Joachim Stuck. As they explore the event offerings, guests can sample cuisine, cocktails and wine. Also on tap from 10am-4pm are vintage auto and motorcycle displays and a Bonhams & Butterfields auction featuring rare jewelry, historic cars and memorabilia.
For a complete schedule and tickets, please go to: www.quaillodgeevents.com or 831/620-8887.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 14
Pacific Grove Concours Auto Rally
More than 200 vintage vehicles are expected to participate in Pacific Grove’s 15th annual auto extravaganza, which kicks off with a 1pm lineup on Lighthouse Avenue. Following a 6pm rally along the coast and through downtown Carmel, drivers will greet spectators at a barbecue dinner and awards ceremony at Chautauqua Hall. Triumph is the featured make for this year’s event, which raises funds for local nonprofits and youth programs.
Information and tickets: www.pgautorally.org or 831/372-6585.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 14
La Dolce Vita-Automobili at Black Horse
Noted automotive journalist and artist Larry Crane is the guest emcee for the inaugural La Dolce Vita Automobili, held on the renovated Black Horse Golf Course from 9:30am-5:00pm. The event will spotlight select European and Italian cars, including vintage racing models, sports cars and exotic vehicles, and celebrate fifty years of DeTomaso. A portion of all ticket sales benefits Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California.
For more information and tickets: www.ladolcevitamontereybay.com or 425/941-9490.
FRIDAY-SUNDAY, AUGUST 14-16
Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races
Billing their event as “an automotive museum brought to life,” organizers of the 36th Rolex Monterey Historics have packed this year’s three-day schedule with exciting exhibits and on-the-track action. More than 450 vintage cars will compete on Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca’s twists and turns; trackside exhibitions include the award-winning “Moments in Time” presentation that honors noted cars and drivers. Rare Speedsters and Spyders from Porsche, this year’s featured marque, will be among displayed vehicles.
For a complete schedule, information and tickets please go to www.montereyhistoric.com, www.mazdaraceway.com or 800/327-SECA.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 15
Khaki’s of Carmel Ferrari Event
The Carmel Youth Center and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation benefit from the proceeds of this celebration, a lively gathering that transforms one corner of the Barnyard Shopping Center from retail space to auto showplace. In addition to the headlining Ferraris, the Khaki’s Men’s Clothier event brings in polished Lamborghini, Bugatti and Maserati models plus live jazz and fare from more than two dozen area restaurants and wineries. Festivities begin at 4:30pm.
For more information and tickets, please go to www.khakisofcarmel.com or 831/625-8106.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16
Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
The 2009 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance competitors will assemble along the course’s famed fairways beginning at dawn, and spectators are invited to view the world’s most elite automobiles from 10:30am. Generosity complements this event’s legendary glamour: Since 1950, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance has raised more than $12 million in charitable donations. For its 59th year, the concours will celebrate the 90th anniversary of Bentley with four full classes featuring the iconic brand. Bugatti, Morgan and Audi marques will also share the spotlight, along with the coachwork of Zagato. For the first time ever, motorcycles will be on display during the Sunday gathering.Taking center stage for the debut cycle competition are vintage British bikes built through 1959. Ancillary activities on the concours grounds include a display of rare collector vehicles; Gooding & Company will auction those autos on August 15 and 16. The RetroAuto pavilion will be packed with automobilia, luxury goods and automotive technology throughout the weekend and, for the first time, guests can bid on original artwork from this year’s RetroAuto poster. Proceeds from the sale of the piece, created by Tim Layzell and commemorating the centennial of Morgan, will benefit Pebble Beach Concours charities.
On August 16, members of the Automotive Fine Art Society will debut and sell new creations on the concours show field. Included in the exhibit is the work of Barry Rowe, who fashioned this year’s official Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance poster, and that of 2009 Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance poster designer Peter Hearsey. Signed copies of the society’s book,”AFAS:A Celebration of Automotive Art,” will also be available for purchase.
For a complete schedule and tickets, please go to www.pebblebeachconcours.net or 831/622-1700. Auctions, exhibitions and more
Additional buzz-worthy Car Week events include an array of auctions, special exhibits and related activities.
From its start just outside of Seattle to an exhibition 1,500 miles later on the Monterey Peninsula, the Pebble Beach Motoring Classic (www.pebblebeach concours.net) is a parade of Pebble Beach Concours entrants past and present. Just 30 superlative automobiles are accepted to participate in this year’s August 3-12 event.
Photographs, plates, models, books and apparel from some 45 vendors will be available during Automobilia Monterey (www.automobiliamonterey.com), August 11 and 12 at the Embassy Suites in Seaside. The event benefits the Monterey Rape Crisis Center.
In addition to being a backdrop for the Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance, Carmel Mission (www.carmelmission.org) will be home to Ferrari North America test drives on August 13-15, as well as the Porsche Club of America cocktail party on August 15.
Wine and wheels are on the menu during Chateau Julien’s new Dine in De-Vine (www.chateaujulien.com) dinners, August 11- 15. Guests sit down to a prix-fixe meal with entrée options each night along the Sangiovese vines, sipping Chateau Julien blends and viewing vintage cars displayed on site.
The winery will also host the Ferrari FCAVintage Concours on Thursday, August 13. Expect food and wine, displays from lifestyle purveyors and more than 175 Concours-quality Ferraris on exhibit.
Some 200 rare autos will cross the auction block during RM Auctions’ 24th Sports & Classics of Monterey (www.rmauctions.com), August 13-15 at the Portola Hotel & Spa and adjacent Monterey Conference Center. Among the wheels up for sale are a 1931 Miller V16, 1938 Jaguar SS100 Roadster and 1952 Jaguar C-Type Sports Racer once driven by racing great Phil Hill.
On those same dates, a 1960 Facel Vega HK500, 1959 BMW 503 and other collectables will rumble through the Monterey Marriott during the 9th Annual Russo & Steele Monterey Muscle Car Auction (please go to www.russoandsteele.com).