Call it what you will — the Monterey Car Week, Pebble Beach Automotive Week, Concours Week, Holy Car Week or just Car Heaven — but the events held every August on California’s Monterey Peninsula are the most important on the automotive calendar and 2012 will be no different.
Anchored by the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion and the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, Monterey Classic Car Week will again wow visitors to the Peninsula with the strongest show fields, the biggest and best auctions, and the most significant historic car racing.
This year, in particular, promises to be a raucous celebration as both Pebble Beach and the Reunion celebrate the 50th anniversary of Carroll Shelby’s booming Cobras.
We encourage you visit Sports Car Digest both during and following the 2012 Monterey Car Week as we quickly publish reports, results and photo galleries from all events. We have eight writers and photographers on the ground this year, and each and every one is focused upon providing the best coverage of all the events without exception.
For the latest coverage, visit test-sportscardigest.sites.thewpvalet.com/tag/monterey-week.
Monterey Car Week 2012 – Preview and Schedule of Events
Saturday and Sunday, August 11-12, 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. (2011 Event Coverage).
Tuesday and Wednesday, August 14-15, Automobilia Monterey – Automobilia Monterey is 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, visitors enjoy the relaxed setting while shopping for original posters, photographs, signs, artwork, scale models, books, magazines and everything else that is automobilia. (Event Website).
Tuesday, August 14, Carmel-by-the-Sea Concours on the Avenue – The sixth edition of the Carmel Concours will see approximately 150 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. (2012 Event Information) and (2011 Event Coverage).
Wednesday, August 15, The Little Car Show – The 3rd annual show will feature British vehicles, and is limited to 100 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 parade around Pacific Grove beginning at Lover’s Point and following Ocean View Boulevard to Asilomar. (Event Website) and (2011 Event Coverage).
Wednesday, August 15, McCall Motorworks Revival – Held at the Monterey Jet Center in Monterey, Gordon McCall’s 21st annual event will again entertain its fortunate guests with an abundance of vintage cars, private jets, gourmet food and more. (Event Website) and (2011 Event Coverage).
Thursday, August 16, 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 participating in the Pebble Beach Concours, allowing spectators the rare chance to see and hear these vehicles in motion. (Event Website) and (2011 Event Coverage).
Thursday, Friday and Saturday, August 16-18, Russo and Steele Auction – Moving to a new location in 2012, the Russo and Steele Monterey auction will now be staged on the waterfront by Fisherman’s Wharf in downtown Monterey. The 12th annual Sports & Muscle in Monterey sale will see more than 250 cars cross the auction block, including nearly half offered at No Reserve. (Event Website) and (2012 Auction Preview).
Thursday, Friday and Saturday, August 16-18, 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. Entries include the Porsche 917-10, 71-bike MV Agusta Collection, Ferrari 750 Monza and Steve Goldin’s Porsche Collection. (Event Website), (2012 Auction Preview) and (2011 Auction Report).
Thursday and Friday, August 16-17, Bonhams Quail Lodge Auction – The 15th annual Monterey Week auction will again be held at the Quail Lodge in Carmel, but in a new, larger and more accommodating venue on the grounds. Held in connection with The Quail, a Motorsport Gathering, the event will feature approximately 130 cars and motorcycles, highlighted by the McLaren F1 GTR, Ford GT40 and Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Comp Spyder. (Event Website), (2012 Auction Preview) and (2011 Auction Report).
Friday, August 17, The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering – Held at the Quail Lodge Golf Club in Carmel, the “Quail” will celebrate its 10th anniversary with a wonderful selection of automobiles and motorcycles, while offering food and fun among like-minded enthusiasts. This year’s event will pay tribute to Pre-War Alfa Romeos, the 50th Anniversary of Iso Automobili, Sports and Racing Motorcycles, and will introduce the Revolutionary Designs and FIVA Preservation Classes. (2012 Information) and (2011 Event Coverage).
Friday, August 17, Legends of the Autobahn – Held at the Rancho Canada Golf Club in Carmel Valley, the all-German marque Concours adds Audi to the mix for the fourth annual event. It will now be hosted by the BMW Car Club of America, Mercedes-Benz Club of America, the Porsche Club of America and, new for 2012, the Audi Club of North America. (2012 Information) and (2011 Event Coverage).
Friday, August 17, Concorso Italiano – Staged at Laguna Seca Golf Ranch in Monterey, the 27th annual Concorso will again honor Italian vehicles and style with everything great from Italy including cars, food and wine. This year’s event honors 100th anniversary of Bertone Design with several concept cars on display in North America for the first time. (2012 Information) and (2011 Event Coverage).
Friday and Saturday, August 17-18, RM Auctions Monterey Auction – RM Auctions will hold its Monterey auction at the Portola Hotel and Spa and Monterey Convention Center in Monterey. RM’s 27th annual auction will feature approximately 120 cars, headlined by the Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder, Horch 853A Special Roadster by Erdmann and Rossi, Ford GT40 Gulf/Mirage Racing Car and 1938 Talbot-Lago T23 Teardrop Coupe by Figoni et Falaschi. (Event Website), (2012 Auction Preview) and (2011 Auction Report).
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, August 17-19, Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion – This year’s vintage racing event, staged at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, will feature the Shelby Cobra in celebration of its 50th anniversary. All told, the historic races will see a field of approximately 550 cars battle on the famed 11-turn, 2.238 mile circuit. (2012 Event Information) and (2011 Event Coverage).
Saturday, August 18, Concours d’LeMons – Celebrating the “Oddball, Mundane and Truly Awful”, this off-the-wall car show is held annually at the Laguna Grande Park in Seaside. (Event Website).
Saturday and Sunday, August 18-19, Gooding & Company Pebble Beach Auction – Held at the Pebble Beach Equestrian Center in Pebble Beach, Gooding’s 8th annual auction, again held in association with the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, will feature approximately 125 cars, including 29 estimated to reach bids in excess of $1,000,000. (Event Website), (2012 Auction Preview) and (2011 Auction Report).
Saturday, August 18, The Barnyard Ferrari Event – This annual non-profit event pairs up Italian automobiles with local wines and food. Held at the Barnyard Shopping Village in Carmel, with support from the Ferrari Owners Club. (Event Website).
Sunday, August 19, Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance – The Pebble Beach Concours is the arguably the most important event in North America, and, it could easily be argued, the reason ‘Monterey Classic Car Week’ exists. This year’s Concours will celebrate the Maharaja Cars and the marques of Mercer and Fiat, while special classes will recognize Saoutchik Coachwork, AC and AC Cobra, Sport Customs, and German motorcycles. (Event Website), (2012 Event Information) and (2011 Event Coverage).
hi
thanks for your coverage of monterey 2012
we’re going to be there on behalf of hot v w magazine to do an article on the 550 tribute car out of france
the car features my front suspension which is a very small part of the awesome lengths that fredric and his people have gone to in creation of this fine automobile
thanks bruce