2008 Monterey Historic Races
Formula Juniors @ Laguna Seca
Instead of a feature marque at this year's Monterey Historic Races, three different of Forumula Junior classes took to the track. Since these aren't supercars, we were left with ample time to explore the rest of the impressive grid.
Probably the easiest racecar to notice was one of five Corvettte Grand Sport Coupes which ran in Group 4B. It quickly outpaced the nine Alfa Romeo GTAs in the same race. Our favorite group was reserved for late-fifties Sports Racing Cars over 2500cc. In it was an abundance of road racing specials, Listers and Ferrari's only 412 Sport.
On static display, a 'moments in time' exhibit featured several noteworthy cars including a Delage 15 S8 from the Collier Collection. Ralph Lauren also lent his Alfa 2900 MM which participated in the 2nd, 1974 edition of the Historic Races.
In total, we focused on 11 different grids that included Can-Am, Trans-Am and IMSA sports cars. With nearly 600 shots in total, our gallery by Richard Owen and Dirk de Jager now offers a comprehensive perspective of the races.
2008 Pebble Beach Concours
Legendary Alfa Romeo 2.9 Wins Pebble Beach
Pebble Beach Concours is the ultimate end to a Monterey Weekend. Along with the feature classes, many of the top manufacturers are present to reveal new cars. This year, the very best of these new cars were the Veyron Grand Sport and Pininfarina Hyperion.
Last weekend's main event celebrated GM's 100th birthday in a major way. A huge area was reserved for V16s and another for concept cars from the old Motorama series. Other classes included GM powered sports cars and woodies.
We were excited to witness Pebble's first tribute to Lamborghini. It included three excpetional Miuras: the first Prototype, SV Prototype and the recently restored Muira Roadster. These were joined by the more modern P140 and Raptor concepts.
In the end, Jon Shirley's Alfa 2.9 took the Best of Show award following its restoration by Butch Dennison. This magnificent supercar and the rest of Pebble Beach can be found in our comprehensive gallery by Richard Owen, Dirk de Jager and Stephan Bauer.
2008 Monterey Preview Gallery
Hyperion gets it's International Debut
Before the Monterey Week ends with Pebble Beach on Sunday, we can present a preview gallery including almost everything else.
The ten-day work week started at Laguna Seca with an impressive Ferrari FXX and Corse Clienti program. Afterwards, two calmer days were spent in Carmel to capture the new Concours. Oldtimers arrived much later, just in time to witness Gordon McCall's Jet Center Party.
Already, four distinct auction houses have opened their doors and will set pricing standards for the world. Bohams finished today and fetched a remarkable 4.4 million for an unrestored Talbot-Lago Teardrop.
This evening, Pininfarina took the cover off their new Hyperion concept. This massive car only accommodates two seats, but does have a fabulous Grand-Perregaux watch holder.
All these stories, plus more, can be found in our ongoing Monterey gallery .
2008 Carmel-by-the-Sea Concours
Ferrari 500 Mondial gets spotlighted
In just its second year, the Carmel-by-the-Sea Concours has turned into an impressive event. Over 130 cars were lined up on both Monday and Tuesday to start the Pebble Beach week.
Monday was limited to just Ferrari and Porsche which gave the show ample room to explore the vast history of these companies. Four devoted classes to 356s included almost every variant the factory sold.
The second day brought out more American cars, but still had plenty from Germany and Britain. These included a factory 'works' Lola Mark II, Radford Bentley and a black Cobra 427 S/C.
We had to upload and get this concours online before the rest of the Monterey madness begins tomorrow. A 0-day gallery of the Concours and it's highlights is now available from Richard Owen. Today, we also spotted the Infiniti G37 4-Door.
Gumball 3000
Lull before the Storm
From California to North Korea, Gumball 3000 is one of the more daring world rallys. This year's event started today in San Francisco, on route to LA, San Diego and Las Vegas before heading overseas to China.
Yesterday, all the cars gathered for a first glimpse at Nob Hill in downtown California. Among the 100 or so contestants was one of the first Gumbert Apollo Sports, Max-a-million's XJ220 and a Ferrari Enzo.
Controversy over these events has sparked rapid debate, so much so Germany has now banned any rallies on public roads. It's obvious the support for Gumball is overwhelming and they are several degrees safer than the historic Mille Miglia or Targa Florio ever was.
We were at the start of this year's Gumball to catch all the madness at the Fairmont Hotel in downtown SanFrancisco. If the crowd is any indication, than our feature gallery by Richard Owen and Stephan Bauer should be extremely popular.
2008 Meadow Brook Concours
Best Of Show Eurpean and American
The 30th Meadow Brook Concours was held last weekend outside of Troy, Michigan. Over 300 exceptional cars were on display and many of these were the best in the world.
One significant debut was the Alfa Romeo BAT 11 which was designed by ailing Stile Bertone. Owner Gary Kaberle was proud to show the results of his 15-year project.
Along with the regular classes, Meadow Brook's organizing committee reserved almost half the field for special displays. None was bigger than GM's 100 year celebration and it's huge group of Bill Mitchell-designed prototypes from the Heritage Center.
Other tributes were dedicated to 8-Litre Bentleys, V16-powered cars and significant Ferraris. All these, plus Lamborghini Reventon 12/20 and RM Auction's sale can be found in our feature gallery by Richard Owen.
2008 Monterey Preview
Veyron Grand Sport for Pebble Beach
In two weeks time, the Monterey Peninsula will light up with its hotly anticipated concours, auctions and races. While there are usually more than few surprises at each event, some teasers have been revealed. The most exciting of these is the Targa Veyron and one of first will be auctioned over the weekend!
All of the 2008 Auctions have revealed their lot lists and some have certain supercars that have never come up for auction before. First of these is one of the original Miura Jotas, this particular example coming from Japan to sell at Russo & Steele.
Gooding & Company have a healthy amount of million-dollar lots, but among them all, a Bugatti Type 57SC Atalante will set a precedent. It will sell alongside an impressive Bugatti collection from the late Dr. Peter Williamson with proceeds benefiting his medical center.
Bonhams has recently merged with Christies this year and their combined team effort is phenomenal. Both a prototype Jaguar known as E2A and an unrestored Talbot-Lago by Pourtout should reach record levels.
The Monterey Historic at Laguna Seca will predominately feature Alfa Romeo and one class will have no less than nine Alfa Romeo GTAs on the grid. Additionally, Ralph Lauren's 2900 MM will highlight the event.
Just when Monterey has seen it all, Pebble Beach will finish off the week and unearth some little-seen jems. This year almost 20 Lancias will be displayed and we expect to see one of their best sports cars, the D24. Only two original cars remain, and we have both in our comprehensive feature.
