2016 Monterey Car Week Preview

AFAS member, Barry Rowe, created the poster for the 2016 Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance presented by Rolex. The Tour poster features the BMW 507 once owned by the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley. Image Credit: 66th Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance

2016 Monterey Car Week Preview
By Brandon O'Brien
Images by Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images unless otherwise specified

If you are a car person, the place to be the second week in August is in Monterey California.

From old to new, production to concept, owned and for sale, street or racing, US legal or not, thousands of cars are to be seen and heard around the Monterey Peninsula. With over 50 separate events occurring from August 13th to the 21st there is too much to take in, in the time allotted.

This is one "event" where you have to pick and choose what to see and miss. You will go home missing something you would have liked to see.

2015 Honored Marque at the Rolex Monterey Historic Motorsports Reunion - 1965-66 Shelby G.T. 350.  Image Credit:  2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion:  Taking place over two weekends at Mazda Laguna Seca Raceway this event encompasses racing cars of all types from the early 1900's up to the late 1980's.  If you like to see cars in action on the track, this is the place for you. Each year the track honors a manufacturer. In 2014 it was Maserati, 2015 Shelby GT 350's, and in 2016 it will be BMW.

The Quail Motorsports Gathering.  Image Credit: 2015 Rolex / Tom O'Neal www.timezone.com

The Qual, A Motorsports Gathering:  Taking place on Friday this event provides an exclusive experience for motor sports enthusiasts to enjoy rare collections of fine automobiles and motorcycles in a garden-party environment. Each year they have featured themes which brings a variety of cars together that allow enthusiasts to view all makes. Admission is $75.00 which includes parking and lunch.

2015 Legends of the Autobahn.  Image Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K seen at the Legends of the Autobahn.  Image Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Legends of the Autobahn:  Started over 7-years ago this event also takes place on Friday and originally was a Concours for all makes produced in Germany.  Today the primary manufacturers in attendance are Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz.  You may see the occasional NSU but if you are looking for Porsche you will need to go to the Werks Reunion. Admission is Free but parking is $20.00.

2015 Werks Reunion.  Image Credit: 2015 SportsCarDigest.com

Werks Reunion: This event is dedicated to Dr. Porsche and his fine machines and is put on by the PCA and is also on Friday.  Once part of the Legends of the Autobahn two years ago they broke off and started their own event. This is the premier Porsche event. Attendees will see a great display of hundreds of classic and new Porsches.

1964 Ferrari 250 LM.  Image Credit:  2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Concorso Italiano: This event is dedicated to exotic and classic Italian automobiles. Breaking the Friday tradition, this event occurs on the second Saturday. Again, hundreds of classic and new Italian automobiles are gathered together.  Think again if you think this only comprises Ferrari and Lamborghini.  You will also be able to see rare Bizzarini, deTomaso, Fiat, Maserati and other less known Italian automobiles.

Peugeot Wagon at the Concours d'Lemons.  Image Credit:  2014 Roman Mica / TFLCar thefastlanecar.com

Concours d'Lemons: This is the event that goes contrary to everything else during Monterey Car Week and honors odd classics.  This is where you can see Gremlins, Pacers, and Pinto's, rust buckets, and other finely maintained cars that are not allowed into any of the other events. Being on Saturday it is possible to see both the worst and finest workmanship in automobiles on the same day.

1911 Pope-Hartford Model W Portola Roadster as seen at the 2015 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.  Image Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

2015 BMW CSL Hommage R on display at the putting green during the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.  Image Credit 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

66th Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance:  This event needs no introduction. If you can afford the price of admission you will be honored with the sight and sometimes sound of the most beautiful classic cars in Monterey. The Tour d'Elegance is free and occurs on Thursday with the Concours on Sunday. Photographers need to arrive close to opening so they can to get better shots as it gets very crowded quickly.

Steve McQueens Porsche 930 which was auctioned during week.  Image Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Gooding, Mecum, JR, Rick Cole, and RM Auctions:  Whether you are looking to buy or just looking there are a number of auctions taking place during the week, primarily in the evenings, where you can see all types of vehicles and sometimes vessels on the auction block.

This is just a listing of the primary events.  Again, there is too much to see in the time you will have so pick and choose what you like and can afford and then do it.  No mater what you choose, you will have fun and be able to see some interesting machinery.

By the way, bring plenty of sun screen. The famous Monterey fog usually burns off by 11am and it can be hot.




TAGS: Monterey, Monterey Car Week, Gooding Auctions, Mecum Auctions, JR Auctions, Rick Cole Auctions, RM Auctions, Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, Concours d'Lemons, Legends of the Autobahn, Rolex Monterey Historic Motorsports Reunion, Werks Reunion, The Quail A motorsports Gathering, The Quail, Motor Driven Images, Brandon O'Brien, PRTT, Performance Racing Tech Talk