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Reflections: Forty Years of the Monterey Car Week

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The Alfa 6C 1750 was produced in six series from 1929-33. In 1929 it won every major racing event, including the GP’s of Belgium, Spain, Tunis, Monza, as well as the Mille Miglia, the Brooklands Double Twelve, and the Ulster TT.

Story by Brandes Elitch
Photos by Hugues Vanhoolandt

I first time I attended what has become known as “The Monterey Historics” was back in 1979, when I moved to California from New York City. I have not missed a year since – 40 years is a long time for anything.

In the early years, my focus was primarily the Laguna Seca racetrack. These were the beginnings of historic racing, the genius of Steve Earle creating the blueprint for what was to come worldwide. I was amazed that I could walk anywhere in the pits, and go right up to the owner and talk about his car, exotic racecars I had never seen in person before, just read about in Road & Track. I thought I had died and gone to heaven. [Read more…] about Reflections: Forty Years of the Monterey Car Week

Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, 2019

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By Brandes Elitch
Photos by Hugues Vanhoolandt

I can safely say that the annual Pebble Beach Concours is the most famous and prestigious show of its type in the world. Someone said that being chosen to show your car here is akin to being nominated for an Oscar. In this column, I will try to explain why this is the case.

At the outset we should recognize that this is a charitable endeavor. Last year, the show raised $2.1 million dollars, all of which stays on the Peninsula. Over the last 30 years, it has raised over $27 million for over 80 local organizations. An admission ticket costs $450 the day of the show. [Read more…] about Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, 2019

The Inaugural Sonoma Speed Festival 2019

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Story by Brandes Elitch

Lead photo by Steve Snyder. The Alfa 158D appeared at the Inaugural Sonoma Speed Festival.

I have never profiled our local track, just north of San Francisco, alternately known as Sears Point, Infinion Raceway, and now Sonoma Raceway. Today it is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary. [Read more…] about The Inaugural Sonoma Speed Festival 2019

Abarth 750 GT, Abarth Scorpion

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By Brandes Elitch

From the Archives, September 7, 2011

During the Monterey Car Week, the most amazing cars are everywhere, on every street and in every driveway (the good citizens of Carmel-by-the-Cash-Register are happy to rent rooms in their homes for the visiting hordes).

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Brandes Elitch at Retromobile

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Story and photos by Brandes Elitch

“Investissez dans votre plaisir!” (Invest in your pleasure)

About 25 years ago I first attended Retromobile with my friend Chris Dickel. We went three times together, along with simultaneous trips to Genoa Autostory and Essen Techno Classica. It was a fantastic experience. [Read more…] about Brandes Elitch at Retromobile

Lancia D 24 and D 50R

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Story by Brandes Elitch
Photos by Steve Snyder

It would be difficult if not impossible to find a more compelling story than that of Peter Giddings. In his youth in England, he restored a BSA three-wheeler, then a Brooklands Riley 9, and then a chain drive Frazer Nash, which he rebuilt in his living room (I say “restored” because owning these cars in England in the sixties would require continuous attention just to keep them running). He started racing the Frazer Nash in 1959, and competed in virtually every race circuit and hillclimb in England, earning his full FIA International racing license in 1961. In 1985, he raced his Alfa Romeo Monza and his P3 Alfa Scuderia Ferrari Tipo B at the Monterey Historics, and was awarded the Phil Hill trophy. [Read more…] about Lancia D 24 and D 50R

The Quail Motorsports Gathering 2018

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Story by Brandes Elitch
Photos by Hugues Vanhoolandt

Putting on any big event is too big a job for one person, but one person has to have the vision and the contacts, and yes, the reach and forcefulness, to make it come alive. With the Pebble Beach Concours, it was Lorin Tryon and Jules Heumann, both gone now, but Chief Judge Chris Bock has been there for a long time and has a steady hand on the throttle. [Read more…] about The Quail Motorsports Gathering 2018

Pebble Beach Concours d’ Elegance 2018

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Story by Brandes Elitch
Photos by Hugues Vanhoolandt

Let me start by saying right out that the 2018 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance was so utterly surprising and overwhelming that I suspect I cannot convey in mere words the totality of the experience. I doubt if so many fabulous automobiles have ever been assembled in one spot, anywhere, at one time, and with logical and consistent themes as well.

Now I realize that these are strong words, so let me provide a bit of perspective. I started attending the events at Monterey back in 1979, and I have never missed a year since, although the events have changed from year to year. I attended the Pebble Beach show for about 25 years, and I have some great memories, such as helping John Bond push his Railton to the field when it would not start. But eventually, I got tired of the traffic and the crowds and the impossibility of finding parking, and finally I just decided to go home Saturday night after the AFAS reception. [Read more…] about Pebble Beach Concours d’ Elegance 2018

The Petersen Automotive Museum of Los Angeles

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Story by Brandes Elitch
Photos courtesy The Petersen Automotive Museum of Los Angeles

According the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Bureau, a record 48.3 million tourists visited Los Angeles in 2017, which is a pretty amazing number. One of the most visited areas is the stretch of Wilshire Boulevard between Fairfax and La Brea avenues called “Miracle Mile,” the home of four, soon to be five, major museums, and a ten minute walk to the famous Grove and Farmers Market. [Read more…] about The Petersen Automotive Museum of Los Angeles

The Quail Motorcycle Gathering, May 5, 2018

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Story by Brandes Elitch
Photos by Steve Snyder

In last year’s column about this show, I wrote, “The program says that ‘what began as a small gathering of enthusiasts has grown into one of the premier celebrations of motorcycling in the country’, and this is an understatement. There may be other events, such as Daytona Bike Week, but there is no other motorcycle show like this or anything close, anywhere else in the country.” [Read more…] about The Quail Motorcycle Gathering, May 5, 2018

The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering 2017

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Story by Brandes Elitch
Photos by Hugues Vanhoolandt unless otherwise noted

The fifteenth edition of The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, was held on August 15, 2017, at the Quail Lodge and Golf Club, located in Carmel Valley, California, a few hours south of San Francisco. About 225 automobiles and motorcycles were exhibited in what has been described elsewhere as a garden party atmosphere, carefully planned and curated by Gordon McCall https://velocetoday.com/gordon-mccall-authenticity-and-continuity/ and his staff. This is an exceptional event, and in this brief article I will try to convey why this is the case. [Read more…] about The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering 2017

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