Letter from the Editor: Monterey Motorama
August 1, 2008
Last August, we dedicated an entire issue of The Robb Report Collection to the annual seven-day automotive extravaganza that culminates with the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance (cover, below). The week itself is commonly known by a variety of names: Monterey Auto Week, Monterey Peninsula Car Week, or some combination of the words "Monterey" and "Week"—with the automobile as a central theme. In tribute to Harley Earl, I hereby propose an abbreviated, alliterative title for the week: Monterey Motorama.
Since no overarching organization officially connects the various happenings—and there is no single website or publication to which the enthusiast or classic car connoisseur may refer—coining a new name should not present a problem, unless General Motors’ copyright attorneys have an issue letting Monterey co-opt their long-defunct marketing event.
In anticipation of the newly dubbed Monterey Motorama, we have endeavored once again to compile an insider’s guide. Featured extensively in this issue are the honored marques of the 58th annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance: Lamborghini ("Elemental Changes"; "Close Encounters of the Fast Kind"), Lancia ("Work of Artifact"), and General Motors ("Dukes of Earl". Let the Automotive Almanac serve as your treasure map.
Auction Action
"Auction Heroes" highlights some of the more
interesting automobiles that will cross the block at various Monterey auctions,
but keep an eye out for other latecomers, such as the 1969 Porsche 908/2 Spyder
racecar (above)—one of the many offered by Bonhams & Butterfields on Friday,
August 15 at the Quail Lodge Resort & Golf Club in Carmel Valley, Calif.
Steve McQueen purchased the car to compete at the 12-hour Sebring endurance race
in 1970, where he drove to a second place finish with teammate and Formula One
driver Peter Revson.
Later that year, two cameras were mounted on the car to produce action footage for Le Mans, McQueen’s quintessential sports car racing film. This Porsche went on to race five times at Le Mans’ 24-hour grand prix endurance race, but its best moment may have been the earlier Sebring race—when the McQueen/Revson duo stunned the sports car world, nearly upsetting the heavily favored Ferrari driven by Mario Andretti. Incredibly, the actor raced with his broken foot in a duct-taped cast. No word yet on the auction lot for McQueen’s brass balls.
Wanted: One Classic Car
Auctions are not the only way to sell the classic car in your
garage. Name your price, and it could end up featured in an upcoming issue of
Robb Report. Interested parties should send details about their
car—including its year, make, model, and a photo—to collection@robbreport.com.
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