As the automotive season winds down, it’s time to reflect on one of the most exclusive and special shows of the year. Perhaps a favorite due to the combination of variety and copious portions of gourmet food and drink combined with a positively wonderful and varied display of automobiles. From vintage to modern, sports to luxury, fun-modified to serious low volume manufacturing specialists. This year it was held on Friday, August 24th.
First mention must be the Peninsula Best of the Best winner, the 1936 Bugatti Type 57 SC Coupé Atlantic co-owned by Peter Mullin and Rob Walton. It was chosen after review of various show winners by twenty four automotive experts, designers and motoring world celebrities. A familiar design to Concours attendees, it continues to be celebrated. The best of show winner this year was a 1953 Lancia Aurelia PF200C, a red convertible of timeless design.
The fireside chat this year featured now retired race car driver Scott Pruett. After 66 wins, he’s now concentrating on his winery and life as a Lexus brand ambassador. The Fashion in the Fast Lane portion of the Fireside Chat hosted Laura Brown, editor-in-chief of Instyle Magazine and Tamara Mellon, OBE, founder of Tamara Mellon Brand and luxury women’s shoe designer.
There was a special display for Lamborghinis, featuring the Espadas and Isleros models, very rare with only 1217 Espadas produced and just a few hundred Isleros from the late 60s. Very rare indeed. Another special gathering was street and racing Lancias, the ones in racing livery, were particularly colorful and distinctive.
A more modern themed display was of Alois Ruf reunion of cars based on Porsches. Of course, the CTR Yellowbird with, at the time a mind-blowing 213mph top speed from 1987 was present. Other CTRs from the nineties and two from 2017 were also on hand, a truly special collection of greats.
The Quail benefits the following charities, Rancho Cielo, the Naval Postgraduate School Foundation, CHP 11-99, Junior ROTC and North Monterey County High School Marching Band. One of the awareness and fundraising efforts by an entrant that deserves mention is by Uncle Wally, IG handle @Wallyworldusa displaying Brian Jones’ 1965 Porsche 356 C Coupe that was part of the East West 356 Tour 2018, driven across country to fundraise for an ALS cure and treatment with Augies’ Quest. It happened to be part of over 20 356’s on display, celebrating 70 years of existence.
There are only 5000 guests so while busy, it’s not the crowded experience of trying to get a good picture at every car or turning sideways to get by. The food is spectacular as always, and seating may be challenge at times despite lots of accommodations, its well worth a wait and there’s never a rush. Conversation at a shared table with strangers is always pleasant and interesting. The champagne ran out before the end of the day, the only possible complaint.
Another absolute treat of attending The Quail are various premiers by automotive manufacturers. Polestar showed the brand new Polestar 1, Karma Automotive showcased the heavily revamped prior Fisker, the Revero. Gunther Werks showed the Sport Touring Porsche 993. A carbon body and floor pan beauty. The Chairman of Lamborghini unveiled the Aventador SVJ, the ‘Ring record holder, which happened to be next to the new Urus. Rolls Royce unveiled a custom designed Phantom for well-known collector Michael Fux. Bugatti introduced the stunning Divo and Hennessey Performance had a Venom F5 with its engine on separate display.
Other displays were wonderful to behold, and really can only be conveyed in photos and not words. The custom coachwork section, manufacturer displays and more are a site to behold. Luxury vendors from clothing to jewelry to private jet rental/charters. Leaving the show, after spending nearly 10 hours from early media preview, to regular show hours to the after-hours party, which had phenomenal acoustics for an outdoor event, that yearning was already felt, with the 3rd weekend of August not coming soon enough.
Check out the various albums from The Quail on the San Jose Cars Examiner Facebook page. Classics, Porsches, McLarens, Paganis, Lamborghinis and more!
