For those of us who appreciate cars, from racing to restoring — and definitely including just looking — the Central Coast will be the center of the universe next week.
The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, one of the premiere auto events on the planet, takes place — with related and peripheral tours and shows and rallies and, of course, the big auction sale all packed in — between Aug. 10 and 15. For many years, this was an event for the high rollers and jet setters, but more recently, it’s been made more far more accessible and more enjoyable for the general public.
There are lots of ways to enjoy the activity on the cheap and plenty of opportunity to view the incredibly beautiful vehicles free of charge.
On Tuesday, Aug. 10, for example, Ocean Avenue in Carmel-By-The-Sea will be closed to traffic for the early afternoon display of 175 cars, from legendary hot rods to luxury and race vehicles. This is typically an invitation-only event, but it will be open to the public from noon to 1:30 p.m.
There’s nothing like seeing spectacular historical cars on the move, and Tour d’Elegance on Thursday, Aug. 12, will offer plenty of opportunity for doing just that. It begins at about 7 a.m. at Collins Field in Pebble Beach.
For the 25th year, RM Auctions will have its big California sales event from Aug. 12 to 14 at Monterey’s Portola Hotel, with previews from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day and sales starting at 7 p.m. Thursday and 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Also running during those same days will be the Russo and Steele Auction at the Monterey Marriott Hotel, with a number of race and classic muscle cars in the mix of spectacular vehicles up for grabs. Gooding & Co. will stage auctions Aug. 14 and 15 at the Pebble Beach Equestrian Center.
Mecum will have daytime auctions at the Hyatt Regency on Aug. 13 and 14, with a number of immaculate muscle cars in the mix there. One vehicle going on the block at the Mecum sale is a fabulous 1922 Hacker-built 29-foot wooden “gentleman’s race boat” that would be the envy of every showoff and big-buck profiler on Lake Tahoe.
On Aug. 13, a variety of outstanding cars will be arrayed on the beautiful Quail Lodge golf course in Carmel. Walking the lush grounds, surrounded by beautiful people and beautiful historical vehicles, is an experience that stays with one forever. Although you’re likely to see movie stars and other celebrities, you’ll also see plenty of students and gear heads too, and casual dress is perfectly acceptable.
Fans of Fiat, Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini and other Italian marquees will want to be at the Laguna Seca Golf Ranch on Friday, though, for the Concorso Italiano. More than 800 Italian cars and motorcycles will be on display, from classics to current production models.
If neither of those is your cup of tea, the 16th annual Pacific Grove Concours Auto Rally also will occur Friday. As is the case with most of the events surrounding the Concours d’Elegance, the rally raises funds for Central Coast charities and nonprofits. Although there will be a variety of car types for the short, parade-type rally, Triumph is the featured marquee this year. All of the cars will certainly be cleaned and polished, but most of the vehicles here are what many of us would consider “normal.” The cars stage along Lighthouse Avenue all afternoon and proceed to Chatagua Hall at 6 p.m.
From Aug. 13 to 15, automotive racing history can be seen in action at Laguna Seca Raceway just outside Monterey. All weekend long, remarkable racers — such as the pre-war Bugattis and Alfa Romeos, the more powerful Ferraris, Corvettes, Cobras and Porsches, and even the super-fast Can-Am cars of old — can be seen at speed, racing through the corners and down the famed corkscrew during the Monterey Historic Automobile Races. It is breathtaking to hear the growl of race-tuned engines of another era, to see the upright thin-tired race cars of the past, to see so many vintage and historic cars take the track in anger – the drivers only marginally restrained by the extreme value of their mounts.
The Big Daddy around which the weeklong activity is based, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance takes place Aug. 15. It remains a highbrow affair, but one that we lowbrow types can feel right at home attending. In addition to the finest cars from around the globe, this year’s show will also highlight hot rods, particularly Bonneville racers, and, for just the second time ever, motorcycles.
Appropriately billed as the ultimate collector automobile experience on the northern continent, it is truly a world-class event, and it takes place in our backyard. There’s way too much going on to take it all in, but you absolutely owe it to yourself to catch whatever your time or money allows.
The only regret you’ll come away with will be “Why have I not done this before?”
Steve Bailey of Boulder Creek has spent plenty of time in recreational activities. Contact him at
sb*****@cr****.com
.
