For many car enthusiasts, August is the month we wait for, we save for, and we plot and scheme for. How are we getting to Monterey? Where are we staying? What all are we doing? From the August 13 and 14 Monterey Pre-Reunion at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, through the Concours on the Avenue in Carmel-by-the Sea on Tuesday, the 16th, to art shows and literature sales, to the Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance on Thursday, the Werks Reunion, the Motorsports Gathering at the Quail and other marque events Friday, to the six auctions Friday morning through Sunday night… to the crown jewels of the weekend, the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion Friday through Sunday, and the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on Sunday – and I know I’ve forgotten at least half a dozen other scheduled events – there is more than enough to do.
As we have in the past, we will cover the coming events and try to provide you a sense of what you saw but may have missed. In addition, we will monitor the auctions to bring you reports on where the collector (and used) Porsche market is right now.
Right now, in this issue, guest commentator Kevin Watts has some advice for those who are worried about what they might see happen at Monterey.
Regular contributors Sean Cridland and Randy Wells are up next. Sean gives you a look at the late July Dana Point Concours in southern California with some interesting observations and some wonderful images. Speaking of wonderful images, Randy Wells’ piece on driving south from San Francisco has enough gorgeous views and great tidbits of local lore to make you consider flying into SFO and taking one of those drives yourself.
A note on that, however, to those of you coming up from L.A.: At the time of this writing there is a large brush fire burning in Big Sur. Do pay attention to Randy’s route suggestions from our June issue and then do an internet search for Big Sur road conditions. A number of sites will appear.
Whatever direction you take, remember the California Highway Patrol loves fast drivers. They are a great state revenue source.
To wrap up this pre-Monterey issue, Warner Hall tackles the questions of what wins at Pebble Beach, and how the event has become THE concours d’elegance.
Lastly, we will present you with a peek at the 140 Porsches to be offered at auction in Monterey, Carmel, and Pebble Beach. Think of it as the good, the bad, the glorious, and the…umm, not so much. For a point of perspective we’ll highlight some non-Porsche cars worth buying a lottery ticket.
We look forward to seeing and meeting you on Monterey Peninsula.
Randy Leffingwell
Editor, Road Scholars Magazine
randy@road-scholars.com