Each August, thousands of the world's finest and most exotic automobiles make their annual migration to California's Monterey Peninsula for what has become their chief mating season. Four-wheeled stunners will be ogled, groped, and lusted over at more than a dozen concourses d'elégance and auctions. But with more than 50,000 people elbowing around Monterey's golf courses for the best spot to be bewitched, the festivities — even the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours, the week's finale — have become zoo-like. One event, though, that manages to put the intimate pleasure of the classic car back into Carmel — The Quail, A Motorsport Gathering.
The Quail is a one-day celebration of fine food, wine, and motor held on August 15 at the Quail Lodge. The event is limited to just 150 vehicles and 3,000 pampered visitors. (It's rumored the event will soon be invite-only, but for now, it's open to anyone who can book the $250 ticket in time.) Though exclusive, the festivities are very wife-friendly, including jewelry and art auctions, spa treatments, and plenty of regional Sauvignon Blanc. Of course, the real treat is the cars. This year, Quail highlights will include race cars from America's most prestigious endurance race, the 12 Hours of Sebring — the rally-race-dominating Porsche 959, and, bringing some new blood into the fray, the worldwide unveiling of a new Bugatti supercar.
Attendees not content to just stare longingly can get get behind the wheel of new models from sponsors including Rolls-Royce, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz AMG, and Maserati. (Last year, I was pulled over while putting a Maserati Gran Turismo through its paces on a corkscrew of a local road. Did I get a ticket? Not at the Quail.) It's best to enjoy test-drives long after the al fresco feast — but definitely before the tequila and martini bars. For those more into off-roading, the lodge is host to one of only three Land Rover Experience Driving Schools in the U.S. And for those not satisfied until they take something home with them, Bonhams & Butterfields will be auctioning off Steve McQueen's 1969 Porsche, used during filming of Le Mans and in which he placed second at the 1970 Sebring 12-Hours (behind Mario Andretti).
But with all these cars on California freeways, traffic is inevitably a nightmare. For a few lucky VIPS, The Quail offers helicopter shuttles to the Rolex Historic Automobile Race at Laguna Seca. After all, sometimes you'd just rather not drive.
