Monterey Car Week 2011 – Preview

Call them what you want–Monterey Car Week, Pebble Beach Automotive Week, Concours Week, Holy Car Week or simply Car Heaven–but the events held each August around the Monterey Peninsula are easily among the most important in the classic car world each and every year. And 2011 is no different.

Anchored by the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion and the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, Monterey Car Week will again wow visitors to the Monterey Peninsula with the strongest show fields, the biggest and best auctions, not to mention fabulous historic car racing. Every year is special for one reason or another, and this year is no different, as Pebble Beach celebrates Mercedes-Benz and the epic Ferrari 250 GTO, while the vintage races focus upon Jaguar.

We encourage you visit Sports Car Digest often during and following the 2011 Monterey Car Week, as we will quickly publish reports, results and photo galleries from all events. We have eight writers and photographers on the ground this year, all focused upon providing the best coverage of all the events bar none.

For the latest coverage, visit test-sportscardigest.sites.thewpvalet.com/tag/monterey-week.

Monterey Car Week 2011 – Preview and Schedule of Events

Saturday and Sunday, August 13-14, Monterey Motorsports Pre-Reunion – Held at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca the weekend prior to the much larger Monterey Motorsports Reunion, the Monterey Pre-Reunion is again officially open to the public this year. (See Monterey Motorsports Pre-Reunion 2010 – Photo Gallery)

Tuesday and Wednesday, August 16-17, Automobilia Monterey – The largest automobilia show in America, and the only time during Monterey Week to find approximately 45 international dealers in a single location. Held at the Embassy Suites in Seaside. For more information, visit www.automobiliamonterey.com.

Tuesday, August 16, Carmel-by-the-Sea Concours on the Avenue – The fifth edition of the Carmel Concours will see approximately 175 vehicles vying for first and second in class plus 14 major awards and, of course, Best of Show. This year’s event will present multi-marques from 1940 to 1973, in addition to Porsche and Ferrari through 1989. (See Carmel Concours on the Avenue 2011 Information)

Wednesday, August 17, The Little Car Show – The second annual show is limited to 60 vehicles featuring gas-powered micro, mini and arcane vehicles under 1,601cc and electric vehicles. Held noon to 5pm on Lighthouse Avenue, in downtown Pacific Grove, between Fountain and Forest Avenues. The show is followed by a tour/parade around Pacific Grove’s scenic waterfront and beaches beginning at Lover’s Point and following Ocean View Boulevard to Asilomar. For more information, visit www.marinamotorsports.org/events.

Wednesday, August 17, McCall Motorworks Revival – Held at the Monterey Jet Center in Monterey, the 20th annual event will again entertain its fortunate guests with vintage cars, private jets, gourmet food and more. (See McCall Motorworks Revival 2010 – Report)

Thursday, August 18, Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance – The Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance is an annual scenic 60-mile trip around the Monterey Peninsula in association with the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. The Tour d’Elegance is for vehicles that will participate in the Pebble Beach Concours on Sunday, August 21. (See Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance 2010 – Photo Gallery)

Thursday, Friday and Saturday, August 18-20, Russo and Steele Auction – The Russo and Steele Monterey auction will be held at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Monterey California. The 11th annual Sports & Muscle in Monterey sale will see more than 170 cars cross the auction block, including nearly half offered at No Reserve. For more information, visit www.russoandsteele.com.

Thursday, Friday and Saturday, August 18-20, Mecum Auction – Mecum’s Monterey Auction will feature 750 vehicles representing all makes and models crossing the auction block. The auction, open to buyers, sellers and spectators with free admission, takes place at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel on the Del Monte Golf Course. For more information, visit www.mecum.com.

Thursday and Friday, August 18-19, Bonhams Quail Lodge Auction – The 14th annual Monterey Week auction will again be held at the Quail Lodge in Carmel. Held in connection with the Quail, a Motorsport Gathering, the event will feature approximately 130 cars and motorcycles, highlighted by the 1927 Bentley 6 1/2 Litre Sports Tourer, 1930 Bugatti Type 43 Supercharged Sports 2/4 Seater, 1954 AJS E95 Porcupine motorcycle and 1953 Ferrari 212 Inter Coupe by Vignale. (See Bonhams Quail Lodge Auction 2011 – Preview)

Friday, August 19, The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering – Held at the Quail Lodge Golf Club in Carmel, the 9th annual “Quail” will again celebrate the finest sports and racing automobiles and motorcycles, while offering wonderful food, drink and camaraderie among like-minded enthusiasts. (See Quail Motorsports Gathering 2011 Information)

Friday, August 19, Legends of the Autobahn – Held at the Rancho Canada Golf Club in Carmel Valley, the second annual event aims to build upon the success of last year’s all-German marque Concours. (See Legends of the Autobahn 2011 Information)

Friday, August 19, Concorso Italiano – Staged at Laguna Seca Golf Ranch in Monterey, the 26th annual Concorso will again honor Italian vehicles and style with everything great from Italy including cars, food and wine. (See Concorso Italiano 2011 Information)

Friday and Saturday, August 19-20, RM Auctions Monterey Auction – RM Auctions will hold its Sports and Classics of Monterey auction at the Portola Hotel and Spa and Monterey Convention Center in Monterey. RM’s 26th annual auction will feature approximately 150 cars, headlined by the 1952 Ferrari 340 Mexico Berlinetta, a collection of Mercedes-Benz 540k models, among others. (See RM Auctions Monterey 2011 – Auction Preview)

Friday, Saturday and Sunday, August 19-21, Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion – This year’s vintage racing event, staged at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, will celebrate the racing heritage of Jaguar. In addition to Jaguar, the event will feature the Can-Am series and Formula One from 1966 to 1983. (See Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion 2011)

Saturday, August 20, Concours d’LeMons – This off-the-wall car show is held annually at the Toro Regional Park in Salinas. For more information, visit www.concoursdlemons.com.

Saturday and Sunday, August 20-21, Gooding & Company Pebble Beach Auction – Held at the Pebble Beach Equestrian Center in Pebble Beach, Gooding’s 7th annual auction, again held in association with the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, will feature more than 150 cars, including 27 estimated to reach bids in excess of $1,000,000. (See Gooding and Company Pebble Beach 2011 – Auction Preview)

Sunday, August 21, Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance – The biggest of the big, this year’s event will celebrate the 125th anniversary of the automobile by showcasing the marques that trace their lineage to Benz and Daimler, with particular attention to Mercedes-Benz. The Concours will also feature the Stutz Centennial, 50th anniversary of the Ferrari 250 GTO, Edwardian Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts and Italian Motorcycles. (See Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance 2011)

[Source: photo credit: Tim Scott / Fluid Images]