Car Week It was 50 years ago, although not exactly today. On Aug. 10, 1974—a Saturday—what was then called Laguna Seca Raceway hosted the first major vintage auto races in the world, joining Concours d’Elegance as Car Week took shape. A hopeful poster promised it was the “1st annual” event, meaning more would come. They did, of course—growing to be a gathering over six days, bringing hundreds of classic race cars to the Monterey Peninsula. Its success led to similar events, such as the Goodwood Festival of Speed in England. But there is nothing elsewhere that compares with Car Week. While this year marks the 50th anniversary of the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, there are more milestones to celebrate. It is the 40th year of existence for Hagerty, the automotive organization responsible for Motorlux (on the high end) and Concours d’Lemons (on the lowest of the low). Gooding & Company first set up its auction block at Pebble Beach 20 years ago. Mecum Auctions ventured to Monterey 15 years ago. And there are the cars. The first Ford Mustang rolled off the assembly line in 1964. The Pacific Grove Rotary Auto Rally is honoring the pony car’s 60th. Meanwhile, The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering recognizes the 100th anniversary of the British marque MG and Concours d’Elegance celebrates Packard’s 125th. And the hypercar brand Koenigsegg is even more fortunate, gaining attention from both The Quail and Exotics on Broadway in Seaside for a wild 30-year ride. It’s time to celebrate. -Dave Faries Events free to spectators are noted. Auctions Wednesday, Aug. 14-Friday, Aug. 16 Bonhams 9am Aug. 14-15; 8:30am Aug. 16, The Quail, 27050 Rancho San Carlos Road, Carmel Wednesday, Aug. 14-Saturday, Aug. 17 Gooding & Company 10am Aug. 14; 9am Aug. 15-17 Stevenson and Portola, Pebble Beach Wednesday, Aug. 14-Thursday, Aug. 15 Broad Arrow Auction 10am Monterey Jet Center, 300 Sky Park Drive, Monterey Thursday, Aug. 15-Saturday, Aug. 17 Mecum Auction 8am Hyatt Regency, Monterey RM Sotheby’s 10am Monterey Conference Center, Portola Plaza, Monterey Car Shows Monday, Aug. 12 Porsche Classic Porsches along with food and music. 4-8pm 1781 Del Monte Blvd., Seaside. Free Tuesday, Aug. 13 Concours for a Cause Cars, music and food. (See story, p. 8) 10am-2pm Mission and 6th, Carmel. Free Classic Motorsports Kickoff Cars in downtown Pacific Grove. 1-5pm Lighthouse Avenue, Pacific Grove. Free Wednesday, Aug. 14 Astons on the Avenue All about Aston Martins and art. 11am-4pm Ocean and Monte Verde, Carmel. Free Little Car Show Mini and micro—125 small cars. Noon-5pm Lighthouse Avenue, Pacific Grove. Free Thursday, Aug. 15 Ferrari Owners Club Concours A lineup of Ferraris and motorcycles. 9am-4:30pm Ocean and Dolores, Carmel. Free Legends of the Autobahn A showcase of German marques. 9am-3pm Bayonet & Black Horse, 1 McClure Way, Seaside. Free Prancing Ponies Women’s Car Show Classics to hypercars owned by women, plus a fashion show. 10am-4pm Ocean Avenue, Carmel. Free Friday, Aug. 16 Werks Reunion A celebration of Porsche. Fee for parking, cash only. 7am-3pm Monterey Pines Golf Course, 1250 Garden Road, Monterey. Free Saturday, Aug. 17 Concours d’Lemons Laugh along with the worst hulks. 8am-1:30pm Seaside City Hall Lawn, 440 Harcourt Ave., Seaside. Free Concorso Italiano Around 1,000 Italian cars and more. 10am-3pm Bayonet & Black Horse, 1 McClure Way, Seaside Exotics on Broadway A gathering of hot supercars. 1-6pm Broadway Avenue, Seaside. Free Ferrari Event Ferraris and fine wine. 4-7pm 3663 The Barnyard, Carmel Sunday, Aug. 18 Concours d’Elegance Simply the finest assembly of important, unique and rare cars in the world. 10am-5pm Pebble Beach Golf Links, 1700 17-Mile Drive, Pebble Beach Lifestyle Events Wednesday, Aug. 14 Motorlux Cars, private jets and gourmet food. 6-10pm Monterey Jet Center, 300 Sky Park Drive, Monterey Friday, Aug. 16 The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering A cocktail party with cars. 9am-4pm The Quail, 8000 Valley Greens Drive, Carmel Concorso Italiano Opera Gala Night An evening of things Italian. 5pm Bayonet & Black Horse, 1 McClure Way, Seaside Other Events Saturday, Aug. 17 Monterey Motorsports Festival Games, performances, music and such. 2-10pm Monterey County Fair & Event Center, 2004 Fairground Road, Monterey Tours Thursday, Aug. 15 Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance Concours cars roll off at 9am along 17-Mile Drive and Highway 1. 7am-noon, Portola Road, Pebble Beach. Free Friday, Aug. 16 Pacific Grove Rotary Concours Auto Rally Part concours, as cars are on display before they roll at 5pm. Noon-5pm Lighthouse Avenue, Pacific Grove. Free Vintage Motorsports Friday, Aug. 9 Car Week Kickoff A selection of vintage race cars on display. 5-7pm Alvarado Street, Monterey. Free Saturday, Aug. 10-Sunday, Aug. 11 Pre-Reunion and Corkscrew Hillclimb Vintage race cars on track and in the paddock, capped by the popular hillclimb. 8am WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, 1021 Highway 68, Salinas Wednesday, Aug. 14-Saturday, Aug. 17 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion The event that launched vintage auto racing, with cars from every era and much more. 8am WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, 1021 Highway 68, Salinas 32 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY august 8-14, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com HOT PICKS Crowds at the 2023 Classic Motorsports Kickoff in downtown Pacific Grove, one of many events during Car Week that are free for spectators. Steve Souza Send ideas to calendar@montereycountynow.com
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjAzNjQ1NQ==