A Week of Passion and Excess
The advice came from none other than Jonny Lieberman, a seasoned figure in the world of Monterey Car Week. He claimed the secret to success was “one event a day, followed by dinner with people you like.” This was only my second time attending the event, and I ignored his words entirely. Not because they weren’t sound—on the contrary, they were. But Jonny is a veteran, and while we may be the same age, I’m still learning the value of moderation. For me, Car Week is a drug, pure and simple, and it hits harder the first time around. My initial experience was almost spiritual—eyes wide open, synapses firing, body euphoric. 2024 was an incredible trip, and this year, I wanted to recapture that same high.
The Beginning Was the End
My first memory of last year, after checking into my overpriced hotel room in Carmel, was arriving for lunch at Grasing’s, where I found myself seated next to James May. Yes, that James May. After a knowing nod, I tucked into my burger and never looked back. I knew I had found my place and my people, and by the end of the week, I was hooked.
Car Week is an overwhelming mix of everything—excessive, exhilarating, and exhausting. It demands a serious commitment of both time and money, but it’s so good and so worth it. Where else can you see a Pagani parked on the street, catch the scent of unburned race fuel from a vintage Maserati, or cringe as a Carrera GT scrapes its nose on a curb? All while eating ground beef next to one-third of the only Top Gear that mattered? It’s a concentrated dose of everything sacred and holy to car lovers, an irresistible feast for the senses for someone like me.
A Taste of Luxury
This year, I made sure to check off all the usual Car Week boxes. Hagerty’s Motorlux was a great time, just like last year, with old friends and new connections. The Quail was a standout again, featuring dream cars from favorites like RUF and Singer, along with some sensational new unobtainium, like the reimagined Diablos from Eccentrica. The Quail has become a must-attend event, even though I had to pay $1595 for a wristband instead of press credentials. Timo Resch, President and CEO of Porsche Cars North America, sat across from me at lunch, which was a nice touch.
A Mix of Fun and Surprises
Radwood’s pop-up event at The Paddock was fun despite the cool mist in the air. Concorso Italiano the next day was a pleasant surprise, but the exotic cars might have been outdone by the exotic cats and crypto being hawked by a woman from her Ferrari on the lawn.
In an effort to act my age, I skipped most OEM parties this year, except for two. Porsche’s gathering was a must-do, with impressive folks and the impressive 963 on display. Czinger’s burgers and fries made up for the lack of alien theming this year. The Czinger 21C on display set records at five different tracks before arriving in Monterey, and the scars on the car proved it.
The Crown Jewel of Car Week
The good folks at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance provided me with a media pass, and I tried to make the most of it. Pebble remains the crown jewel of Car Week, and it knows it. There’s pomp, circumstance, and a certain swagger in the air. The vintage cars on display are some of the best in the world, a tribute to innovation and craftsmanship that will never be seen again. The location alone makes it unforgettable. The power move at Pebble is to eventually make your way to the Lodge and lord over it all from the porch of the Mercedes-Benz hospitality suite. Now you know, but don’t forget the secret knock.
A Day at the Races
A day at the races is a Car Week must, and WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca remains one of the world’s great tracks. This year, I finally experienced it properly as a spectator. Photos, videos, and even Gran Turismo fail to capture the madness of watching cars negotiate the infamous Corkscrew at speed. Last year, I had the terrifying pleasure of commentating on one of the Rolex Motorsport Reunion races from the press box, and while friends assured me it went well, I still haven’t worked up the nerve to listen to the recording. This year, I used my trackside courage to say hello to Chip Connor as he idled into the paddock behind the wheel of his legendary red 250 GTO.
High Stakes and Drama
There were lots of heavy hitters on the auction block during Car Week, with Broad Arrow, Gooding, Christie’s, and RM Sotheby’s being highlights. The previews are one of the easiest ways to get up close and personal with remarkable cars, and the auctions themselves always provide drama.
Nights in Carmel
Each night, my Car Week crew would gather at Brophy’s in downtown Carmel to process what we’d seen and plan for the next day. A double Macallan 12 Year helps a man compute that, yes, that is in fact a $450,000 Richard Mille watch on the wrist across the table. These evenings over drinks might have been my favorite part of the entire week.
Reflections on Age and Experience
I’m writing this the day before I turn fifty. By the time you read it, I’ll officially be an old man. For some, 50 isn’t a big number, but for me, it feels like the right moment to pause and take stock. I’ve come to realize that family is number one, of course, but shared experiences with friends are a close second.
Final Thoughts: A Tribe of Passionates
In a world that feels less like the one I hoped for each passing day, it’s important to live a little now and then. Be with friends. Indulge. Take time to appreciate the awe-inspiring and the sublime. Be reminded that you’re part of a community. Even if it might seem ridiculous to an outsider, Monterey Car Week serves that purpose. It’s a chance to connect with other car people and dive headfirst into our shared passion in a stunning setting with palpable energy in the air.
At Brophy’s, on our last night in California, I found myself thinking of that scene in Stand By Me, where Richard Dreyfuss’s narrator reflects on the gravity of the adventures just had. “It was more, and we all knew it. Everything was there and around us. We knew exactly who we were and exactly where we were going. It was grand.” And as I enter into my “old-man” years, that means more than ever.
