The Quail is one of Monterey Auto Week's most exclusive Concours events. Attendence is kept at a minimun, and as such, tickets go into a Lottery system for purchasing. Not everyone that wants to attend, can attend. Much like the Pebble Beach Concours, cars must be accepted before showing at the event. It was held Friday, August 16th at the Quail Lodge Golf Club in Carmel Valley, California. The 17th annual ‘Quail’ celebrated sports and racing automobiles and motorcycles, with the more than 6,000 guests and participants enjoying wonderful weather, food, drink and camaraderie in a garden party setting. This year’s event drew more than 250 entrants from around the world in 12 classes. It was a spectacular summer day with a great selection of classics. It was a very fun event for collectors of all kinds, with a delightful selection of fine food and libations. An event you want to put on your bucket list for sure.

The featured themes for the 2019 Quail Motorsports Gathering were highlighted by three special classes. The first of these, 100 Years of Bentley Motors, paid tribute to vehicles throughout Bentley’s storied history. The second special class, the 25th Anniversary of the McLaren F1, also celebrated a historic milestone. In this case, a quarter century of the legendary McLaren supercar was celebrated with a selection of standout models including a one-of-10 McLaren F1 GTR Longtail. Additionally, the A Tribute to the Electric Car Movement special class showcased unique electric cars throughout history including a 1965 Volkswagen Beetle Zelectric Sedan electric car prototype.

Notable cars on display included the 1937 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Touring Berlinetta, which was honored with the fourth annual Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award. The Alfa Romeo, owned by David and Ginny Sydorick of Los Angeles, California, was chosen from a pool of eight Best of Show vehicles from the top 2018 Concours, deeming it the “most exceptional car in the world.”

This 1953 XK-120 has undergone a comprehensive rotisserie restoration and has custom coachwork and desgin throughout. It is a very special build, with great features of performance enhancements to the engine, bucket seats, and special instrumentation. The fit, finish and craftsmanship are excellent. The FHC features the following: it was lowered to ground, the front and rear bumpers were eliminated, the marker lights were removed from the top of the fenders, and it includes wire wheels with spat (which are typically not seen with stock XK-120s.) It also features a striking color combo of Black over a Suede Green interior.

“Our 17th annual event has been an incredible success,” said Gordon McCall, Director of Motorsports for The Peninsula Signature Events. “Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors, the world-class guests at our panels, the beautiful atmosphere and, most of all, the enthusiasm and love of our amazing automotive community, this event has continued to grow and improve year after year. We already can’t wait to see what 2020 brings!”