Story by Brandes Elitch
Photos by Petya Elitch
The Monterey weekend is so overwhelming that it is impossible to capture more than a small part of it here. Two reasonable and sophisticated car collectors might come back with two completely different versions of what they saw that mattered to them, and in listening to them you would wonder if they were in the same place. All of us have our biases and predilections, and oftentimes we just search out what we already favor, without being distracted by something new. This is human nature.
My overriding impression this year is that the shows are getting bigger and the traffic is getting to almost gridlock stage. The Historics at the Laguna Seca track now have about 550 cars, about 30% more than the early years. The Quail Lodge show, which at the inception, as created by Steve Earle, was limited to 100 cars; there must be twice as many now, counting all the displays. There are new shows that seem to pop up every year, probably a dozen in total. You would expect the Concorso to be large, because it is not constrained by space limitations as would be the track or Quail Lodge. That is part of its charm – a big part. I don’t know what to do about the traffic. I spent 6 years commuting to Manhattan, and I thought I was a battle-seasoned traffic warrior, but this wore me out. Of course, I will be back next year.
The Fiat Abarth 2300 S Coupe in the lead image caught my eye at the Concorso, in part because my friend, Francois de la Cloche owns one. This car is virtually unknown in the US. Francois kindly volunteered the following information:
It was designed by Ghia. The primary designer was Sergio Sartorelli, and he was assisted by Virgil Exner, Jr. and Tom Tjarda. The first prototype was built for the 1960 Turin auto show. At first, the motor was a 2.1 litre 6-cylinder, designed by Aurelio Lampredi. Ghia asked Abarth to work their magic, and they boosted the output to 140 HP, via 3 Weber carbs. Originally, Ghia, under Luigi Segre, planned to market the car themselves. This changed when the Fiat Chairman, Sig. Agnelli, saw the car and decided to market it as an upscale Fiat, cementing the deal by placing an order for 10,000 cars!
In late 1961, a 2.3 liter motor was fitted, in two versions. One had a vertical two barrel carb. The second, called Spinta, had the Abarth mods: cam, higher compression pistons, 2 horizontal Webers, larger capacity oil sump, and it developed 150 HP. From 1962 to 1968, about 9000 cars were built. For 1962 the car had frameless windows and a rib on the hood and trunklid. In 1964, it received dual servo power brakes. In 1965, there was new upholstery, wood grain dash, and new chrome. Remember, this was an expensive luxury car, priced in Europe on par with the Pagoda Mercedes 230 SL. It was a sales success, but then the Fiat Dino came along. This car is very rare in the US, and the Concorso is one of the few places where you would see it.
And below are our picks from The Quail this year.
THis is the Maserati 300S chassis by CMC. It has fantastic detail and can be purchased in three different versions. We'll have a full report on this model next week.
It is a fool's errand to pick a Best of Show at the Quail Lodge show, but many people would likely choose this 1911 Hispano-Suiza 45CR, type Alphonso XIII voiturette, shown as part of the Mullin Museum collection display. What is interesting about this car is that it was purchased as part of a large collection of chassis and spare parts by Hispano historian Emilio Polo, having lost most of its original coachwork. The museum purchased it in 2004 after the restoration was finished. The word patina is often bandied about, usually in a nonsensical manner, but in this light the car is simply astonishing, particularly in the late afternoon light.
Here is a Touring bodied 1956 Aston Martin DB2/4 special roadster, owned by Taylor Crandall of California. Only 3 of this model were built, and there is a disappearing top. Another truly breathtaking car which you would not likely see elsewhere.
VeloceToday Select Number One:
Cuban Grand Prix, 1957
by David Seielstad
There are not too many shows where you will see a display of modern Bugattis and the famous Bugatti 'tank' racecar,thankfully brought out by the Simeone Foundation.
One of the most beautiful Ferraris ever: a 1951 212 Export Vignale Berlinetta, owned by Peter McCoy of California.
Another car from the Mullin collection: a 1948 Talbot-Lago Grand Sport Coupe T26, Saoutchik coachwork. Only a dozen of the T26 cars were made in 1948 and this is one of two with this coachwork. A T-26 race car won the 1950 Le Mans race. Mullin purchased the car in 1989.
This Ferrari barchetta was found in the parking lot, outside of the show field. That's Monterey for you!
The Concorso features a small stadium, and cars that have been judged to be exceptional are driven through, while the owner explains his history with the car. My favorite Lancia this year is this wonderful Aprilia sedan entered by well-known Lancia restorer Neal Pering of Los Altos, CA.
To correct the historic record, Steve Earle was the founder of the Monterey Historic Automobile Races (1974-2009). Although a frequent guest at The Quail, he had no official connection to the event.
The Quail – A Motorsports Gathering was created by Sir Michael Kadoorie in 2003 with assistance from Gordon McCall, now Director of Motorsports at the Quail Lodge and Golf Club. Other Quail staff members involved were Lawson Little, now President of Quail Lodge, Inc. and Amy Williams, at the time Director of Special Events. There was also an Advisory Committee consisting of Chip Connor, Bruce Meyer and your scribe.
As can be seen from Brandes’ piece. the original concept has endured and been improved over 11 years and one can be comfortable that next year will be even better. This in no small part because of the Special Events team consisting of Courtney Ferrante, Lurie Courtwright and Nicole Carlson.
The barchetta is mine. I drove it down to Monterey and was allowed to park it at the foreword most position right beside the check in counter so many people saw the car.
Serial 0022M.
DNS
David,
I saw your magnificent 166 parked there and thought it may be the former 166 of my good friend, Cooper Weeks. I whipped out my iPhone and sent the photo to Cooper, who verified the fact. The auto “fraternity” makes it a “small world” indeed”!
Gary Krings
some really nice specialist bodied cars here, for me the Aston-martin DB2-4 stood out.
I also have had a love affair with the 1948 talbot-lago T26, Absolutely the best.
Its nice to see a 2300S get some exposure. These must be the most over looked 1960s Italian coupe of them all. If they had a different – ie any other – badge one wonders whether there would be more interest. The survival rate is low, not just because of rust, also due to lack of interest. I’ve owned one for seven years or so, Ive bought it up to scratch mechanically, sadly though it isnt worth treating it to a proper spruce up, at least for now.
JS