The great and the good in the world of international car collecting, historic racing and concours d'elegance will be heading to Monterey Peninsula this weekend, for nigh-on seven days of racing, showing, buying and selling...
When the dust settles on the manicured lawns of the famed eighteenth fairway at the Pebble Beach Golf Links® on Sunday night, auction records will no doubt have been broken once again and a new champion will be awarded the coveted Best of Show.
We traditionally preface this preview by questioning whether auction prices can continue their ever-upward trend. With RM's blockbusting Ferrari sale this May the values of the big-ticket cars have gone up again, however do I detect a little flabbiness in the once taut and rippling American 'muscle' sector? I don't know, but if you look at the catalogues from RM, Gooding and Christie's they do not seem as 'muscle-bound' as in previous years.
There's also not one 'mega' car like a Ferrari 250 GTO or Alfa 2900 that will have all the pendits holding their collective breath, although Christie's will expect the Ferrari 250 GT + Steve McQueen formula to works its magic.
Whatever happens, if you cannot make it, Classic Driver will have all the results in the days following the sales.
It's not all auctions of course, and prior to the grand finale on Sunday there's ample opportunity to meet friends on very superior tours, enter - or just spectate at - smaller concours like the new Carmel-by-the-Sea event that kicks the week off.
And for those who want some on-track action, pick your spot by Laguna Seca's famous 'Corkscrew' series of curves and enjoy the rarest of rare historic racers tested to the limit.
THE SCHEDULE -
Carmel-by-the-Sea Concours On The Avenue
Tuesday 14th August
Well over 130 cars will be on display in a group of juried classes. These will include Luxury Cars, Muscle Cars, Hot Rods and both British and German Sports classes. Micro Cars and other classes will highlight vehicles from the sublime to the spectacular.
For more information, visit www.carmelconcours.com.
Blackhawk Collection Exposition Sale,Peter Hay Golf Course, Pebble Beach
Wednesday 15th - Sunday 19th August
It's not really an auction but an ‘Exposition Sale’. That is to say it’s a free exhibition, and you can buy all the exhibits! In 2007 Blackhawk will have around 65 cars on show and for sale.
For more information, visit www.blackhawkcollection.com.
Christie’s Sale at Monterey Jet Center
Thursday 16th August
We have a preview of this sale elsewhere on Classic Driver, but it will be interesting see what happens when Christie’s are the first auction house to hold a sale. There’s the very 'Pebble' 1930 Duesenberg J Convertible Berline at $700,000 - $850,000, and of course the highly desirable ex-Steve McQueen 1963 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso estimated to sell between $800,000 and $1,200,000.
Please click HERE to see a full Motor Cars lotlist.
Pebble Beach Tour d'Elegance presented by Rolex
Thursday 16th August
Decades before golf links were laid out along the edge of the Pacific Ocean, this area was known for its scenic drive, winding for miles through pine and cypress forest, dancing alongside dramatic cliffs and leading, ultimately, to a beautiful cresent-shaped bay.
The 2007 Tour traces portions of the original 17-Mile Drive, traverses nearby mountains and valleys, dips down famed Highway One and pauses for a time in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Tour participants enjoy a catered gourmet lunch, a champagne celebration at the finish and commemorative gifts.
The Tour is open to all entrants in the 2007 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. And spectators are invited to view the Tour at key points along the route.
For more information, visit www.pebblebeachconcours.net.
Bonhams & Butterfields Sale at Quail Lodge, Carmel
Friday 17th August
The first Monterey catalogue to thud onto the mat this year is from Bonhams. As usual the entry is a varied selection of high-end exotic machinery from all ages of motoring, but for 2007 there seems to be a significant increase in American ‘muscle’...
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Concorso Italiano, Monterey
Friday 17th August
The Concorso Italiano® has embraces all the cultural elements of Italian style, including music, cuisine, fashion, and travel. The event is centered around as many as 1,000 collectable Italian automobiles, motorcycles, and boats.
For 2007 the event will spotlight the Lamborghini Countach, celebrating its 35 years of outrageous styling, as well as 60 years of Ferrari, the life of Ugo Zagato, and 50 years of both the Maserati 3500 GT and Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet and California Spyder.
For more information, visit www.concorso.com.
The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, Quail Lodge, Carmel Valley
Friday 17th August
The Quail Gathering brings together top collectors with manufacturers and luxury lifestyle brands all in the setting of the exclusive Quail Lodge luxury hotel, golf course and spa. Of course Bonhams & Butterfields will be conducting an auction on the same day too.
In 2006 The Quail paid tribute to the 100th anniversary of the Targa Florio, one of the world’s oldest open-road races and commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Laguna Seca Raceway. Italian car designer Zagato, best known for its extensive work with Ferrari, Aston Martin and Lamborghini, was also honoured.
For more information, visit www.quaillodge.com/.
Kruse Auction, Concorso Italiano, Monterey
Friday 17th August
Kruse will be selling around 60 mid-to-low-range modern and classic cars at the Concorso Italiano venue.
For more information, visit www.kruseinternational.com .
Rolex Monterey Historic Races Presented by Toyota, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
Friday 17th - Sunday 19th August
The Indy Roadster will be the featured model at the 34th Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races, held at the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. As part of its tradition of showcasing and preserving motorsports history, the event will also feature historically significant vehicles, including Historic IMSA and Can-Am vehicles, which reflect a dream of many enthusiasts to witness these cars at the track.
Rolex will present their Motor Sports History "Moments in Time" display with a selection of six significant cars with a focus on the year 1957. The racetracks at Laguna Seca and Lime Rock Park both opened that year, and the winning cars will be represented with the winners from the Indy 500 and the Sebring 12 Hour Endurance Race, along with the winner of last year's Monterey Cup, awarded to the car judged to have excelled overall in both presentation and performance during the event.
The Indianapolis 500 "Roadster Era" Display will offer a unique look at some of the most significant cars from this great era. Delivered directly from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum will be the Indy winners from 1955, 1963, 1964, and the Monza winners from 1957 and 1958. There will also be a special display of Ferraris to marque the company's 60th birthday - a group of cars that will also include many Ferrari F40s, celebrating its 20th anniversary
For more information, visit www.montereyhistoric.com.
RM Auctions, Monterey
Friday 18th - Saturday 19th August
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Held over two days, RM’s 2007 sale will include nearly 200 motor cars, many at ‘No Reserve’, at their familiar The Portola Plaza Hotel venue. With the inclusion of several high profile Ferraris, as well as the usual top dollar entries, there is every chance of bettering last year’s $43m event...
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Russo and Steele Auction, Monterey
Friday 17th - Saturday 18th August
American specialists Russo and Steele will sell in excess of 150 cars over two nights at the Monterey Marriott. As always, the entry is packed full of US 'hi-po' big-capacity classics from Chevrolet, Plymouth, Pontiac and Shelby. It's not all home grown though, as the catalogue includes a 1991 Jaguar XJR 15 Race Car, a 1961 Aston Martin DB4 and a 1973 Ferrari 246 GTS Dino Spyder .
For more information, visit www.russoandsteele.com .
Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
Sunday 19th August
The 2007 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance will feature Aston Martin and the Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg group. The iconic 1932 Ford will be celebrated, as will cars involved in the very early push to power. A preservation class for post-War cars will also be offered for the first time, and there will be a class for Brooklands race cars.
The Best of Show prize in 2006 went to a 1931 Daimler Double-Six 50 Corsica Drophead Coupe.
For more information, visit www.pebblebeachconcours.net.
The Pebble Beach Auction, presented by Gooding & Co.
Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th August
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As the official Pebble Beach Auction at the annual Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance it behoves David Gooding and the rest of the team to come up with a suitable catalogue. Most people would agree that this year’s two-day sale fits the bill...
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Text: Steve Wakefield
Main Photos: Tim Scott of Fluid Images
Other Photos: The Auction Houses
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