If you're a fan of classic cars but your wallet seems a little thin these days, don't despair! There are still ways to do the Concours d'Elegance without emptying out your childrens' college fund. And look at it this way — if you're not bidding on Bugatti's Bugatti, you've already saved $15 million.
Though disguising yourself as a deer and sneaking onto Pebble Beach's 18th green may seem tempting, there are many other ways to see these great classic cars without shelling out a dime (or wearing fake antlers).
Why go to the cars when you can have them come to you? During Monterey Historic Auto Week, classic car collectors show off their vehicles at the many rallies that take to Monterey County's roads. These rallies bring the classic cars to some of the most scenic areas of Monterey County, and their check-in points are frequently conveniently located at area parks. While many keep their routes secret until the big day, you can plan ahead around one of the biggest events.
The biggest rally is the official Pebble Beach Tour d'Elegance. Around lunchtime on Thursday, August 13, the vehicles involved will check in at Carmel-by-the-Sea's Devendorf Park, a popular and scenic spot for a picnic. Enjoy your lunch and some great views of classic automobiles. For an even more scenic setting, get up early and head down to Big Sur; the first checkpoint is at the Big Sur Lodge.
On Tuesday, August 11, 180 classic cars will line Ocean Avenue in Carmel-by-the-Sea for Concours on the Avenue. The show will feature cars produced between 1940 and 1973, as well as Porsches and Ferraris produced between 1940 and 1989.
On Friday, August 14th from 1pm to 5:30pm over two hundred classic cars will converge on Pacific Grove's Lighthouse Avenue and adjacent streets. Pacific Grove's old-fashioned Victorians and main-street feel create a perfect backdrop for this event.
Though it may be difficult to get up close to the cars up for auction at Pebble Beach, some of the satellite auctions are more accessible. Auction firm Russo and Steele keeps the classic cars for their auction at the public garage on Calle Principal in Monterey, while Mecum Auction's vehicles are located at the Hyatt Regency Resort and Spa. The Sport and Classics Auctions, held at the Portola Hotel & Spa, welcomes the general public to its previews for a $40 fee. You may not be able to buy a classic car, but you can certainly window-shop!
For a moderate fee, you can get a good look at classic cars in action. The Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races pits classic cars head-to-head on the famed Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. The $50 admission fee on Friday and Sunday ($65 on Saturday) not only earns you admittance to the grandstand; it also allows you to wander the paddock where the classic cars are kept. See the automobiles and the people that race them!
Check out over 125 Ferraris at Chateau Julien's Ferrari FCA Vintage Concours on Thursday, August 13 from 1pm to 4pm. As you cruise the cars, you can feast on Italian food while drinking wines from Chateau Julien. $30 door fee.
Ferraris mix with live jazz and local wines and cuisine at The Annual Khaki's Ferrari Event at the Barnyard Shopping Village on Saturday, August 15. The charity event is sponsored by Khaki's Men's Clothier. Tickets are $25 in advance and $40 at the door.
View car-related memorabilia at Automobilia Monterey at the Embassy Suites in Seaside on August 11 and 12. This show sells everything related to classic cars and car culture from an era gone by. Check out hood ornaments, old advertising posters and photos, scale models and more. Tickets are only $15 for a single day for this charity benefit event.
Can't afford to see the best cars in the world at Concours d'Elegance? See the worst cars in the world at the Concours d'LeMons at Toro Park in Salinas. Held on August 15, Concours d'LeMons features Pacers, Pintos, Gremlins, Edsels and more. Cars will be judged for titles like "Worst in Show" and "Biggest Loser." Tickets are $20, and free for active military, police and fire, as well as those under 12.
Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau P.O. Box 1770, Monterey, CA 93942 1-877-MONTEREY info@mccvb.org
In partnership with Monterey County and the cities of Carmel-by-the-Sea, Del Rey Oaks, Marina, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Salinas,
Sand City, Seaside, Soledad, Pebble Beach, Moss Landing, Carmel Valley, Big Sur, and Salinas Valley.
© Copyright 2009 Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau
