Pebble Beach, 18th of August, 2011

The day starts early in the morning with the annual Pebble Beach Tour were the cars entered in the concours on Sunday can show that they are ready to drive and not just looking good. Not all cars entered in the concours show up but nevertheless this gives the public a good impression what to expect on the field later that week. Sir Stirling Moss led the first group on its way through the hills over Monterey down highway 1 to the turning point at Big Sur. The field is divided in three groups run with gaps of 30 minutes each and the groups are lad by the police to close off crossroads if necessary. Unfortunately the weather at the coast was not very good this year with fog all morning and low temperatures one does not expect from California but that is not very uncommon at the coast. After lunch in Carmel were the cars were parked at the main street the tour was led back to the Pebble Beach grounds.

After the Tour one could go and visit the first auctions at Mecum and Bonhams who could not be more different in style. Whereas the Mecum auction is very American with lot of noise and a hectic auctioneer the Bonhams auction is more British style. Mecum is specialized in the sale of American hot rods and muscle cars but when looking around at the huge display at the Hyatt hotel one could see that almost everything with 2 and 4 wheels is auctioned this weekend, even a few motor ships. Among the American metal one could also find a few rare European classics like a rare early Porsche 356 or a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster. The visitors can not only buy a car but they get entertained by a large car show with free entrance as you do not have to buy a catalogue to be in as on the other auctions. Bonhams has a smaller and more exclusive surrounding at the Quail Lodge, lots vary from 6 1/2 and 3 Litre Bentley to a few hot rods and include a barn find Lancia Lambda.

Once at the Quail Lodge Resort one could go over and look what is already set up for tomorrows Motorsport Gathering. Unfortunately most of the cars were covered due to the weather but one could see that there will be a special class for Ferraris bearing the name “America” in their name. Hopefully the weather improves over night as both the Concorso Italiano and the Quail Gathering should be enjoyed in the sun.

Text&Images Peter Singhof www.ClassicCarPhotography.de

Cars sold during the last couple of weeks
Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spyder €2.65mio
Ferrari 250 GT LWB Berlinetta "TdF" €2.65mio
Ferrari 860 Monza €4.0mio