In the sunny triangle between Monterey, California, the Laguna Seca race track and the luxury enclave of Pebble Beach, nobody is seriously interested in the fact that the International Motor Show in Munich, which is Europe’s most important motor show, is taking place in around two weeks. Between lush golf greens, howling sea lions and chic weekend villas, car manufacturers from all over the world present their latest models – the more elegant, the better. Brands such as Lamborghini, Mercedes, Aston Martin, Ford, Rolls-Royce, Kia, Cadillac, Bentley and Maserati not only unveil their new models, but also present themselves to car fans at best as stylish luxury brands with lifestyle charm and classic genes.
The third week of August is set in the international car calendar every year. For most visitors, it goes via San Francisco or at most Los Angeles to the mostly tranquil Monterey, where canned fish was once shipped all over the world from Cannery Row. The fishing industry on the Pacific coast there no longer plays a major role. Tourists flock year-round, play golf, enjoy quirky Carmel with its tiny cottages, and take a drive down the equally scenic rugged 17-Mile Drive, while owners of luxury villas in Pebble Beach can enjoy one of North America’s finest golf courses around Birdie and fight par.
For almost a week everything revolves around cars between Monterey, Pebble Beach and the unique racetrack of Laguna Seca with its legendary Corks Screw Corner. Starting with the Little Car Show in Pacific Grove or the quirky rattletrap event Concours de Lemons in Salinas, the tens of thousands of car fans can hardly wait before spectacular one-offs are handed over, classics are awarded and new products are unveiled. A quick detour to Legends of Autobahn or the Concorso Italiano, while sales contracts are being signed in event villas or one is looking forward to the actual highlight “The Quail – a Motorsports Gathering”. This year’s Monterey Autoweek program is more impressive than ever. Lamborghini is showing its fourth series for the first time, Mercedes is unveiling the second-generation AMG GT, Maserati is making its fans dream of the MCXtrema, while Aston Martin is taking the roof off the new DB12, Bugatti is celebrating the golden era with the Chiron Super Sport, and Pininfarina is rolling out its second series . In addition, there are the most important refiners such as Brabus, Singer or Hennessey with their noble stars – nobody wants to miss that.
Those who are self-respecting in the car scene are in Pebble Beach and Monterey, visit the multi-million dollar auctions of RM Sothebys, Goodings or Bonhams and can hardly wait to be the winner of the grand finale of the Concours d’Elegance on Sunday among 215 participants and honoring those placed, while off the 18th pacific fairway an unusually large number of new cars shine without a plug. Because Pebble Beach and the Monterey Car Week show one thing – it’s not about types of drive, legal requirements and dogmatism, but just the interest in one of the most beautiful things in the world: the car.
