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
|