It's the depth and breadth of the event that impresses. With total auction sales that must have broken the $150 million mark, and 1000s of visitors from all corners of the globe flocking to the Peninsula over seven days, the Monterey week is a remarkable business by anyone's standards.

That said, it's still possible — and greatly enjoyable — to meet up with the same people at The Quail, Pebble Beach itself, one or two auctions, or 'the track' (Laguna Seca) on Saturday. And, remarkably enough, I was asked on at least two occasions by curious tourists, "Is there something going on, here? There seem to be a lot of old cars..." Er, yes, there certainly is, madam.

We are splitting our Monterey coverage over two weeks, and start with the all-important auction news and a review of the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance itself. Next week, there'll be the Tour d'Elegance and action from Laguna Seca — two personal favourites.

And abiding memories of this year's party on the Peninsula? Doing something new is always nice, so Quail Lodge was a great Friday out in Carmel Valley, while seeing so many wonderful cars on the road always fascinates.

The Ferrari 250 GT SWBs and Jaguar XKSSs, both on the Lawn and the Tour, wowed all; as you would expect. But, such is the magic of the area, that just about any interesting old car powering (or just puttering) its way along 17–Mile Drive brings a smile to the most careworn of faces — and all for the price of a $9.50 gate ticket. The bargain of the week.

Steve Wakefield Managing Editor sw@classicdriver.com

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