Meanwhile, In and Around Monterey…

While the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance closes out Car Week, there is a whole lot of other stuff that happens in the preceding days that makes time there a true adventure.

One of my favorite events is the Mecum Auction.  There is something for everyone at this auction.  I was able to spend two days walking around the golf course viewing the cars before and after they crossed the block and spent many hours sitting under the tent to watch the actual auction. The location near the water always provides a constant breeze and there is plenty to do to occupy your time as you wait for that one car you are interested in to roll in.

At the complete opposite of Pebble, there was the Concours D’Lemons.  Words cannot describe what the eyes see at this event.  The number one comment I heard was, “Why?”  Why would someone spend time, money, and effort creating some of the offerings that were on display?  They range from absolutely hideous to perplexing to the unsung heroes of the road, like Yugos and Nissan Pulsar NX – cars that were seen in bulk bck in the day, but largely forgotten today.  And that’s exactly what makes this show a must attend.  It adds a comedic break to the sometimes Kentucky Derby feel of the other events.  I am sure that if you total up all the money spent on all the cars being shown there, it doesn’t add up to the dollars spent on just one class winner at Pebble.

At the opposite of D’Lemons is something that I think just makes sense.  The pairing of three huge entities that come together to create a truly impressive event.  Of course I am talking about Gooding Auctions, Christies Auction, and the Pebble Beach Concours.  Gooding was the PB auction for many years, and recently they merged with Christie’s.  To reiterate, it just makes sense.  An example of this was to watch some of the $128-million of art that crossed the block.  My favorite was lot 182, a 1927 Bugatti Type 35B Grand Prix.  I marvel at this almost 100-year-old machine that was at the core of what we car heads enjoy today.  The most cutting edge technology and engineering of the day fitted onto a chassis that was driven to its limits without any safety devices.  It just makes me stare in awe and imagine what it was like to actually drive it back in the day.

Cars and car guys have changed over the last 100 years.  What was the norm in 1927, is not even known today. What we did in the 60’s and 70’s growing up, is just us old guys reliving our youth. What is happening today. Well, let’s just say it’s not our father’s car week anymore. As youth comes into the car hobby. And that’s a good thing. What they bring into it and how they act leaves a lot of us scratching our heads.

While the reason for the season may well be the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the week has grown to include a huge swath of events ranging from indoor automobilia swap meets to free car shows to private parties to auctions.  It truly is mecca for car guys.