This year’s Quail concours was defined by the raft of manufacturers revealing their latest wares, telling of the event’s strong reputation – and perhaps the well-to-do, champagne-fuelled crowd. Bugatti led the way, president Stephan Winkelmann peeling the covers off the new Centodieci, a modern-day homage to Romano Artioli’s EB110.
No new car has polarised opinion across our social media channels like this one, and for those who weren’t sold after ogling it in the metal at The Quail, there was a number of EB110s also present to restore the faith. The freshly restored Supersport resplendent in bright yellow was a definite crowd favourite.
Overall ‘Best of Show’ was awarded to a gigantic 1931 Stutz DV 32 Convertible Victoria with coachwork by Le Baron, its owners Joseph and Margie Cassini the latest members of the Rolex Circle of Champions. But while the opulent Grand Tourer was impressive, our appetite was whetted more by the class-winning McLaren F1 LM. One of just five cars built to honour the marque’s Le Mans victory in 1995, the Papaya Orange supercar was utterly glorious, down to the very last nut and bolt.
Elsewhere, Philip Sarofim’s striking Pontiac Vivant 77 garnered a lot of attention, its sharp, Bertone-inspired lines gleaming in the Californian sunshine. As is the recurring theme at this year’s Monterey Car Week, there was also a fantastic selection of classic and modern Bentleys present to celebrate the marque’s centenary. As cool as a pre-War Birkin Blower is, it’s the grand Continentals of the 1990s that will forever hold a place in our heart. Bentley also chose The Quail to debut the wild EXP 100 GT concept in North America. And it went down very well indeed.
From pre- and post-War classics and vintage fire engines to 1990s supercar titans and crazy concepts of the future, it’s the diversity (oh, and the exquisite food!) that makes The Quail such a pleasant event and a sure-fire Car Week staple. If we could have driven home in one car from this year’s edition, it would have to be the jacked-up Porsche 911 Safari, appropriately parked in one of the golf course’s bunkers. For want of another word, it was just perfect.
Photos: Rémi Dargegen for Classic Driver © 2019
