The DBZ Centenary Collection: A Pair of Timeless Classics

Just ahead of Zagato’s 100 year anniversary; we have learned that once again the Italian design firm has partnered with Aston Martin to create an offering that is simply exceptional. The stunning Aston Martin DBS GT Zagato is the product of this collaboration, which will complete the DBZ Centenary Collection.

The DBZ Centenary Collection was launched as a celebration of the long standing relationship shared by Zagato and Aston Martin which has spanned over half a century. At the heart of this collaboration is a steadfast approach to honoring an iconic past while creating automobiles, which will be classics for a future generation of automotive enthusiasts; and at The Extravagant we expect the breathtaking DBS GT Zagato to be no exception to this statement.

“In the DB4 GT Zagato Continuation we have one of the world’s most beautiful and instantly recognisable pieces of car design. Creating a car fit to stand alongside it was always going to be a formidable challenge, but also a great motivation. Both design teams at Aston Martin and Zagato have together risen to the task magnificently; taking the already fabulous DBS Superleggera and shaping something which retains its identity as an Aston Martin, but expresses itself as only a Zagato can. Sensational-looking and extremely rare, it is the modern incarnation of a timeless icon,” said Marek Reichman, Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer of Aston Martin Lagonda.

The design of the DBS GT Zagato began with inspiration from the DBS Superleggera, currently one of Aston Martin’s most popular models. Immediately noticeable on the new vehicle are its characteristic, aggressive wheel design and ‘striking’ front grille. An evolutionary design approach served as a foundational element for the new GT Zagato; this is immediately apparent when viewing the vehicle, which shares a set of modernized soft shapes with the original DB4 GT Zagato from the 1960s. The most apparent example of these similarities is the ‘double-bubble roof’ which was an iconic element on the original GT Zagato. That element, which elongates the vehicle’s elegant roof line and bonnet, promotes an innovation of the previous generation’s design language in this new creation. Furthermore, the new GT Zagato’s flowing lines exemplify a ‘wide wrap-around windscreen’ which eliminates the hard, sharper lines that are found on the DBS Superleggera’s profile. An athletic rear end completes the new GT Zagato and gives the vehicle a powerful stance.

Only 19 Aston Martin DBS GT Zagatos will be crafted and each will be sold with a newly built DB4 GT Zagato Continuation, which will be made by Aston Martin and Zagato to the exact specifications of the original 1960’s DB4 GT Zagato.

The first deliveries are expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2019 for the DB4 GT Zagato Continuation, and the fourth quarter of 2020 for the DBS GT Zagato. The two cars are being sold together as the DBZ Centenary Collection for £6 million GBP (excluding taxes). This offering, which includes two of the automotive world’s most stunning creations, is equally matched in both beauty and rarity that will likely make them unicorns for future collectors.

Images courtesy of: Aston Martin

The Most Luxurious Ford Bronco

We’re sure all of you off-road enthusiasts have heard about Ford’s upcoming revival of the famed Bronco planned for 2020. However with that said, all of those with a disposition for classic 4x4s may want to stick to a restored or even modified classic Bronco. The off-road experts at Velocity Restorations have created what can only be described as the most luxurious Ford Bronco. The vehicle was crafted with the attention to detail desired by the most discerning of off-road enthusiasts.

Standout features added to this 1969 Bronco include a custom black PPG paint with matching wheels, heated & ventilated seats, an interior covered in Italian leather, Kicker sound system with a Pioneer Digital Head Unit , and a 2.9 liter Whipple Supercharger which allows the Ford 5.0 Coyote Engine to really get up and go.

“This is the most luxurious  Bronco we’ve built to date,” said Brandon Segers, Velocity Restorations Co-Owner.  “We wanted to offer the most opulent original Bronco on the market and build a vehicle that can be both a daily driver and a show car.”

Other unique rewards of the 2,000 hour project include power retractable steps to allow for effortless entry and exit from the Bronco’s high-frame. Velocity has also improved the vehicle’s safety by the addition of a six point Roll Cage with Frame tie-ins and LED dome lighting, modern LED headlights, and an LED-illuminated instrument panel to allow the driver to easily read the instrument panel in the darkest of night.

Over the course of one year the team at Velocity conducted an enormously in depth and intricate frame-off restoration and modification of this Ford Bronco. This project was twenty five percent more time consuming than Velocity’s normal restoration and modification process for other Ford Broncos due to the additions of the aforementioned features. The Restomod as Velocity likes to call it was conducted in a series of four phases. Planning and design was followed by Rust Repair and Metal Fabrication, Paint and Body, and Mechanical. Each phase corresponded to a specialist department of individuals at Velocity Restorations who only work within their designated department.

Images courtesy of:  Jarrod Holland at Publicity Factory

Most Prestigious Car in the World: 1937 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Berlinetta

Earlier this month the iconic 1937 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Berlinetta was dubbed the most prestigious car in the world at the fourth annual The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award Ceremony at The Peninsula Paris hotel. The event, which has become one of the most well respected in the automotive community, was founded in 2015 by the Hon. Sir Michael Kadoorie, Chairman of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited.

This exciting development comes just months after this Alfa Romeo was named “Best of Show” at the 2018 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Eight different “Best of Show” champions from the most respected concours competed for the award. Judges remarked that “the Alfa Romeo was the stand-out choice”.

“The winning Alfa Romeo is a perfect example of the type of car that inspired us to create this award,” said William E. (Chip) Connor, Chairman and CEO of William E. Connor & Associates Ltd, and co-founder of The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award. “To provide an opportunity for car lovers to pause a moment and celebrate flawless design and engineering of this calibre is truly an honour each year.”

The vehicle was unveiled using a ‘Shutter-Effect’, which allowed individual slats to be turned in sync to reveal the Alfa Romeo resting prominently on a bespoke up-lit pedestal.

The winning 1937 Alfa Romeo belongs to David and Ginny Sydorick, who are based in Southern California. In response to the car’s award, David Sydorick stated: “As an avid auto-collector, having two cars in the running for this year’s award was truly remarkable. It goes without saying that Ginny and I are ecstatic at the result – a proud moment for us both.” 

For many years regarded as the quickest grand tourer, the vehicle in racing trim was engineered to perfection by Ingegner Vittorio Jano. The initial intention for the 8C 2900 was to compete in the Mille Miglia, which it captured first place in during the 1935, 1936, 1937, 1938 and 1947 competitions.

The winning car, which is build number 412020 is regarded as the first of only five known Berlinettas crafted on the Lungo chassis, marking the beginning of the Superleggera model. The Milanese coach-builder, Carrozzeria Touring, was founded in 1925; it was unique in the fact that they initially contracted Charles Weymann’s system of fabric-covered lightweight bodies and then conceived their own ‘Superleggera’ construction. The Superleggera’s frame is constructed from small-diameter steel tubes covered by thin alloy body panels that fit perfectly within the automobile body’s shape.

Well known personalities who attended the Peninsula Classics Best of the Best event included On-Camera Personality, Hannah Bronfman along with her DJ husband, Brendan Fallis; as well as actor Luke Evans of ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ ‘The Alienist,’ and ‘Girl on a Train’.

Image credit: @janacallmej provided by JMPR Public Relations

Rolls Royce Unveils The ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ Fabergé Egg

Meticulously crafted and ostentatiously designed, the Fabergé Egg has long since been a prominent object for many affluent collectors. Taking into consideration that only 50 pre-1917 Imperial Fabergé Eggs are in existence, the Fabergé Egg has become one of the most sought after ornaments to add to one’s collection since the 20th century. Things only got more exciting with the announcement of two leading, luxury houses’ partnership to shape an ultra modern Fabergé Egg: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and Fabergé come together to introduce to the public the ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ Fabergé Egg.

This moment marks an auspicious day because the ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ Fabergé Egg is officially the second commissioned of the Imperial Class after 1917. The Imperial Class is meant for only the finest masterpieces by Fabergé, so the creation of the ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ Fabergé Egg is a testament to both Rolls-Royce and Fabergé’s heritage and legacy spanning over the last century.

Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, commented, “’The Spirit of Ecstasy’ Fabergé Egg was born from an intrinsic desire to further the realms of Bespoke personalisation. Responding to the continuing demands of patrons in search of unique and cherished possessions, a designer at the House of Rolls-Royce sketched an Egg, igniting a fascination that will undoubtedly become one of the most collectable items of modern times.”

Since 1911, the Spirit of Ecstasy has been seen as an iconic symbol of every Rolls-Royce automobile. Therefore, it being encased in a Fabergé Egg provides Rolls-Royce patrons with a familiar feeling that’s reminiscent of the time they first acquired their Rolls-Royce motor car. This Fabergé Egg’s complicated and radiant appearance is contributed to Rolls-Royce Designers Stefan Monro and Alex Innes, as well as Fabergé Lead Designer Liisa Tallgren, who carried out the crafting process. In addition, the Egg is birthed with a sense of vigor and spirit thanks to the efforts of Fabergé workmaster Paul Jones, who has brought the prestige of the Fabergé Egg back in an innovated, new way.

Fabergé put together a team of seven skilled craftsmen and used the finest of materials paired with the craftsmens’ top notch abilities as artist jewelers to build the Egg. In addition, its elaborate design pays homage to Fabergé’s longstanding heritage and is very reminiscent of the well known Imperial Eggs commissioned by Fabergé.

The Egg, which is 160mm tall and weighs 400g, stands on top of an engine-turned, hand engraved, purple enamel guilloché base of 18 karat white gold. Illuminated by arms of rose gold, its body is explicitly delineated with the arms working as a protective casing for the interior of the Egg. Festooned with approximately 10 carats of spherical white diamonds, the rose gold vanes conjoin together to become sheathes of amethyst with a heft of 390 carats.

Attached to the base of the Egg, a lever can be used to operate the mechanics that, when switched, begins to put on a show by slowly opening up to reveal the ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ encased inside, of which is hand-sculptured in frost rock crystal. The purplish tone of the enamel and amethyst pay homage to the Imperial Fabregé Eggs, which are well known for their vivid and whimsical hues.

Josina von dem Bussche-Kessell, Business Development and Global Sales Director, Fabergé added, “Two years in the making, we are very excited to unveil this special piece to our clients and partners across the globe together with Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and are proud to continue making history by creating bespoke and unique pieces such as this. The ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ Egg marks a demonstration of the reputation that Fabergé proudly carries today.”

This new ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ Fabergé Egg does not only look exemplary, but is also a technological wonder. It Boasts an advanced operating mechanism, which underwent computer assisted design and animation, as well as cultivated with micro engineering. All said, it’s an extremely innovative type of Fabergé Egg that both embodies the past and the future, alike. Without the assistance of the goldsmiths’ use of aesthetics and skill to blend it with mechanics, the ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ Fabergé Egg would not have been such a success. The craftsmanship of this innovative creation with its complex and meticulous opening mechanism can be labeled the most intricate opening ever crafted for a Fabergé Egg.

Spanning from 1885 to 1916, Imperial Fabergé Eggs were crafted with close ties to the Russian Imperial family. What makes this class of Fabergé Eggs so prominent, aside from their extravagant appearance; limited number; and complex inner mechanisms; is the cultural significance and history they shared with the Russian Imperial family. Throughout Emperor Alexander III’s reign, there was a total of 10 commissioned Eggs. As for the remaining 40 Eggs, they were crafted at the time of Alexander III’s son, Nicholas II. He had two Eggs made for each year of his reign to honor his mother the dowager and his wife, respectively. Furthermore, if we take a look into Rolls-Royce’s extensive archives, it will reveal that Nicholas II also happened to be a patron of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. These facts only further highlight the cultural value the ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ Egg embodies to both Fabergé and Rolls-Royce patrons across the globe.

Sean Gilbertson, Chief Executive Officer, Fabergé said, “A unique moment in both our companies’ history, the creation of the ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ Egg represents the meeting of two masters of unrivalled quality and design, showcasing two globally recognised symbols – the Fabergé Egg and the Spirit of Ecstasy.”

Though its premiered day at the House of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, West Sussex, England, has already past. Art and Motor aficionados will still have the opportunity to enjoy a public exhibition in Fabergé’s London location this Christmastide.

Images Courtesy of: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

McLaren Unveils the Speedtail

McLaren’s all new “Hyper GT”  has been highly anticipated as one of the most exciting vehicles to be unveiled in 2018. McLaren initially provoked our attention with the release of teaser images of the Speedtail this past spring; the few details that were shared evoked a modern interpretation of the famed McLaren F1 in the heads of motor enthusiasts. The Speedtail is the latest addition to McLaren’s ultra exclusive “Ultimate Series,” which already includes the Senna and P1.

Upon immediate view, the Speedtail is undeniably sleek with impressive futuristic elements that make the car appear like it is in motion while even in a car park. The McLaren Speedtail is positioned to steal the title as McLaren’s fastest production vehicle to date with a mind numbing top speed of 250 miles per hour that’s made possible by the vehicle’s hybrid powertrain, which unleashes a staggering 1,035 brake horse power. The Speedtail’s claimed acceleration metrics for 0-60 mph have not yet been released, however, experts estimate it to be somewhere around 2.5 seconds; on the bright side, we have been given a not to 186 mph time of just under 13 seconds. To handle these extraordinary speeds, the vehicle is crafted from an exceptionally rigid ultra lightweight bespoke carbon fibre monocage body. Additionally, the Speedtail’s tires were custom made by Pirelli to ensure uncompromising performance.

“McLaren has never built a vehicle like the Speedtail before. As our first ‘Hyper-GT’, the Speedtail is the ultimate McLaren road car; a fusion of art and science that combines an astonishing maximum speed with an iconic central-driving position and a truly pioneering approach to bespoke personalization. A ground-breaking hybrid powertrain sits within a lightweight carbon fibre body reminiscent of sleek ‘streamliners’ that once set world speed records, while the luxurious three-seat cockpit offers a sublime combination of an incredible driving experience, unmatched individualism and innovative materials never seen before in a road-going vehicle.” said Mike Flewitt, Chief Executive Officer of McLaren Automotive.

The aerodynamics and weight saving measures of the Speedtail are some of the most advanced in the industry. McLaren engineers and designers worked in collaboration to deliver low-profile, retractable, digital rear-view cameras instead of side mirrors. Extraordinary elements also include carbon fibre front-wheel static aero-covers and patented active rear ailerons, which reduce friction. To top it all off, the Speedtail team sculpted the vehicle’s body with drag reduction as the key element behind what contributes to being the most aero-drag efficient McLaren road car ever made.

“The McLaren Speedtail is a vehicle unlike any other, not simply because of the astonishing visual drama, extreme speed and aerodynamic excellence that distinguish it, but because it sets unprecedented standards in technical luxury and bespoke customization. The same boundless innovation and creativity that drives McLaren to push the limits of physical performance have challenged us to craft an exquisite interior defined by pioneering design and the absolute pinnacle of materials quality.” said Rob Melville, Design Director, McLaren Automotive.

Reminiscent of the McLaren F1, the Speedtail’s pilot is seated right front and center with passenger seats setback on each side of the captain’s chair. The magnificent interior is outfitted with materials that are a step above finishes commonly seen on vehicles of this caliber. The finest lightweight leather hides adorn nearly every surface in the cabin and perfectly pair with the vehicle’s carbon fibre accents. Glass panels allow ample natural light to flood the vehicle’s cabin, however, cutting edge technology allows the windows to be dimmed at a moments notice and act in lieu of sun visors. McLaren allows owners to customize a wide array of aspects of the vehicle, including the option of selecting an 18-karat gold McLaren badge.

In homage to the F1, McLaren will be making just 106 examples; the same amount of F1s were created back in the 1990s. All examples of the Speedtail have already been purchased at a price of 1.75 Million GBP, excluding tax. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2020.

Images courtesy of: McLaren Automotive

The 33rd Annual Concorso Italiano

Famous for its diverse and significant collection of over 1,000 Italian cars from rare to exotic, this year’s show, the 33rd annual Concorso Italiano, exhibited many iconic Italian vehicles like a 1985 Ferrari 288 GTO, a 1951 Siata Gran Sport Spyder and the 1966 Bizzarrini P538, to name but a few.

The automotive event also celebrated the Ferrari this year, as one of the nameplate’s most iconic grand touring cars has just reached its golden anniversary.  It was 50 years ago in 1968 that the Ferrari 365 GTB4 made its grand debut in Paris.  The car was official designated as the Ferrari Daytona, which was a name given after the 1-2-3 victory at the 1967 Daytona 500 race. What makes the Daytona very special? It’s the replacement for the 275 GTB4.  The GTB4 has become a highly sought after car in collector circles as a rare barn find.  Now the Daytona’s 50th year is being honored as the last of the true ENZO Ferraris created before the Fiat influence arrived in 1969. The big Daytona is a car, and a legacy worth celebrating in grand style.

Concorso Italiano declared a 1951 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Super Sport, the last 6C cabriolet ever built, as this year’s winner of the Best in Show award.  Presented by Mitja Borkert, Lamborghini Head of Design, Herb and Rose Wysard of Fullerton, California, the owners of the 1951 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Super Sport, received a custom sculpture as the award for Best in Show.

“Concorso Italiano continues to be a guiding force in the automotive collector and enthusiast world and we are proud to showcase more exotics and collectibles than any other event during Monterey Historics Week,” said Tom McDowell, Chairman of Concorso Italiano. “Attendees enjoyed a staggering amount of curated programming this year, from one-of-a-kind vehicles to automotive industry legends. We’d like to personally thank all of our partners, sponsors, participants and attendees for making this year’s show a great success.”

Concorso Italiano had gathered many rare Italian vehicles this year, which even reached an estimated total worth of $200 million.  What made the event particularly great was the ambiance that provided the guests with entertainment such as musical performances and on-stage interviews with authorities in the auto industry like Franco Bacchelli of Bacchelli & Villa.

This automotive event embodies Italian culture by not only having a stellar line-up of Italian vehicles, but also incorporating traditional Italian music, gourmet and more.

Mecum’s 47 Million Dollar Auction at Monterey Car Week 2018

Mecum Auctions received an astounding 38% increase in total sales at the end of their 10th annual Daytime Auction. Like the years before, the auction was a hot attraction for automotive enthusiasts during famed Monterey Car Week. A wide selection of vehicles that are high in rarity, extremely diverse and in excellent quality have made the overall sales break past last year’s total and reach a massive $47 million. This year’s auction was certainly something to celebrate about, and not just for its 10 year anniversary, because its overall sales topped all other years with the highest gross ever at a Mecum’s auction in the Peninsula.

From August 23rd-25th, a total of 394 vehicles experienced a change in owner. In addition, individual sale prices mirrored the overall power of the entire lineup from the auction. The three-day long auction included a unique automobile collection ranging from pre-war motorcars to racing legends and avant-garde hypercars. This year’s lineup was impressive to say the least as nearly a dozen offerings sold individually for a minimum of a million dollars, which were quite the multi-million dollar investment for automotive aficionados.

The top 10 sellers from the auction were the embodiments of refinement, class and innovation. The number one seller in particular could be said to have been the climax of the whole auction as a ravishing 1933 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe Disappearing Top Roadster (Lot S93) sold for a whopping $3.85 million. Coming in second place was a 307-mile 2014 hybrid-drive Ferrari LaFerrari (Lot S111) that was bought for $3.19 million. Closely followed behind the Ferrari LaFerrari was a 2003 Ferrari Enzo (Lot S48.1) that sold at $2.86 million and a 1989 Porsche 962 (Lot S126) purchased at $2.2 million. And finally, another Duesenberg was listed among the top 5 sales when the 1929 Model J Convertible Sedan (Lot S116.1) sold for $1.155 million. This Duesenberg model was part of the headlining Academy of Art University Collection, which had a seven-car offering that sold for a total of $2.82 million.

Additionally, quite a few sales were unique enough to catch a lot of attention from those at the auction. One of which being the Indy 500-winning 2012 Dallara DW12 Honda Indy Car (Lot S90) that sold at $1.127 million. This lot came with an uncommon engine lease agreement, which grants the future owner full possession of the car’s race-winning powerplant; this is something that has never happened before within the factory-sponsored racing industry. Another unmistakably, eye-catching vehicle was seen on Friday as the 1987 Porsche 959 Komfort (Lot F109.1) reached a sale of $467,500. And we can’t leave out the 1985 Modena GT Spyder California (Lot S189) that is most famous for its debut in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and was bought for $407,000.

The complete top 10 collector-car sales at the Mecum Monterey 2018 auction include:

1. 1933 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe Disappearing Top Roadster (Lot S93) at $3,850,000
2. 2014 Ferrari LaFerrari (Lot S111) at $3,190,000
3. 2003 Ferrari Enzo (Lot S48.1) at $2,860,000
4. 1989 Porsche 962 (Lot S126) at $2,200,000
5. 1969 Lamborghini Miura P400 S (Lot F114) at $1,155,000
6. 1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan (Lot S116.1) at $1,155,000
7. 2012 Dallara DW12 Honda Indy Car (Lot S90) at $1,127,500
8. 1958 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster (Lot F116) at $1,072,500
9. 2017 Ferrari F12tdf (Lot S125) at $1,045,000
10. 1936 Auburn 852 SC Boattail Speedster (Lot S89) at $1,017,500

To gain complete access to the auction results, you can sign up for the InfoNet service from Mecum.com at no charge. For more information concerning the upcoming auctions, for registering as a bidder or to list a vehicle, visit Mecum.com, or you can phone (262) 275-5050 to obtain more details.

Best of Show Winner at The 68th Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance

Following significant international competition at the 2018 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, a 1937 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Touring Berlinetta captured the gold Best of Show award. Opposition was stiff to say the least as the highly prestigious Pebble Beach Concours draws over 200 vehicles a year from more than half a dozen countries.

This particular example owned by David Sydorick achieved its title as best in class prior to acquiring the the highly sought after Best of Show award. Highlights of the 8C model include a more steeply raked grille and lack of running boards compared to it’s younger 8Cs sister.

“As a Zagato collector, I broke the rules and bought a Touring-bodied car because this Alfa Romeo is very special,” stated David Sydorick of Beverly Hills, California. “It is a piece of automotive architecture mounted on a Grand Prix chassis that has technology that was top of the line for prewar cars. It’s a wonderful combination. It’s beautiful from top to bottom.”

Sydorick’s car was awarded the title of Most Elegant Closed Car at the 2001 Pebble Beach Concours, however, the vehicle’s exceptionally high caliber recent restoration has elevated this example to new heights. The return of the car to its 1938 Berlin Motor Show specification allowed it to stand out against the competition, which included both a 1929 Duesenberg J Murphy Town Limousine and a 1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport Figoni Fastback Coupé.

“This Alfa Romeo 8C 2.9 has all that one would wish for in a car—speed, style and, frankly, sex appeal,” said Pebble Beach Concours Chairman Sandra Button. “The Touring styling is simply magical, and to top it off it makes all the right noises!”

The Concours, which occurs during famed Monterey Car Week, is routinely hosted on the 18th fairway of Pebble Beach Golf Links. This year the Pebble Beach Company Foundation in partnership with the Concours raised an astounding $1.8 million USD for philanthropic causes. These funds will be distributed to close to 100 local charities with a special emphasis on those that better the lives of children in Monterey, California.

On Sunday August 18, 2019 the annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance will return for it’s 69th incarnation to conclude Car Week with a bang as the event will be celebrating the continental anniversaries of both Bentley and Zagato.

Please visit the Pebble Beach Concours website for more information and to purchase tickets to next year’s event.

Image courtesy of the: Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance

1953 Lancia Awarded “Best of Show” at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering 2018

Among a crowd of over 250 contestants at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, a 1953 Lancia Aurelia PF200C was dubbed the “Best of Show” winner. An assemblage of over 5,000 motorsport enthusiasts and global influencers converged on the lawns of Quail Lodge & Golf Club to revel in the highly-anticipated awards ceremony. The Lancia Aurelia was celebrated at the ceremony for its well defined yet innovative design.

Of the 12 finalists competing for the “Best of Show” award, other than the Lancia Aurelia, three were honored with other awards. The first to be awarded was a 1917 Volkswagen Tamiya Sand Scorcher owned by Dean Lanzante, which was recognized with the “Spirit of The Quail” award. A 1970 Datsun 24OZ that is owned by Eric Breslow was honored with the “FIVA” award. Last, but certainly not least, was The Hon. Sir Michael Kadoorie’s 1958 Ferrari 250 Testarossa, which earned it the “Octane Choice” award.

Four special classes were the focal point of this year’s The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering. One of them being the “50th Anniversary of the Lamborghini Espada & Islero,” which paid homage by showcasing two of the Italian Marque’s most classic V12-powered touring cars. Another embodiment of Italian automotive enginuity is the “The Great Lancias” class that threw out a collection of remarkable models to represent the long-standing history of the nameplate.

“70 Years of the Iconic Porsche 356” class was also prominently displayed at the event, which featured several of the first production sports cars from Porsche. Furthermore, an excellent line-up of bespoke sports cars, such as the newly built RUF CTR from the Pfaffenhausen manufacturer and tuner, were at the event as part of the “The Alois Ruf Reunion.”

The show featured programmatic events like the Fireside Chat Series with road racing professional and winemaker Scott Pruett, renowned former race car driver Tom Kristensen, InStyle Editor in Chief Laura Brown and luxury women’s shoe designer Tamara Mellon. Additionally, famed manufacturers and sponsors (including Polestar, Karma Automotive, Gunther Werks, Lamborghini, Rolls-Royce, Bugatti and Hennessey Performance) were at the show to set up press conferences in order to announce upcoming developments in the industry as well as to promote new products.

“The success of our 16th-anniversary celebration was truly overwhelming,” said Gordon McCall, Director of Motorsports for The Peninsula Signature Events. “Because of the support of our sponsors, the gourmet selection of food, the unbeatable program of events and, most importantly, the amazing collector car community, we are continuously proud of how far we’ve come as a staple of Monterey Car Week. We are thrilled to see what 2019 will have to offer.”

The Next event is scheduled for Friday, August 16th, 2019.

For more information visit: Peninsula.com

The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering Introduces Four Special Classes For 2018

The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering officially celebrates their 16th anniversary with the announcement of Four Special Classes to the premier automotive event: Lancia, Lamborghini, Porsche and RUF Cars.  The special selection features “The Great Lancias,” “50th Anniversary of the Espada & Islero,” “70 Years of the Iconic Porsche 356” and “The Alois Ruf Reunion,” all of which being nameplates that pay heritage to the Italian Marques and German automakers.  The celebration, which will once again be held during famed Monterey Car Week at Quail Lodge & Golf Club, welcomes these four spectacular classes as the centerpieces this year on Friday, August 24th.

“The Great Lancias” class will include many outstanding models that impeccably embody their Italian heritage.  Along with the special arrival of these Lancias’, which give off an intense flair of  Italian ingenuity, a 1974 Stratos HF Group IV, a 1955 Aurelia B24S and a 1988 Delta Intergrale 8V will be put on display, to just name a few.

Furthermore, the “50th Anniversary of the Espada & Islero” class introduces two of Lamborghini’s most classic and iconic V12-powered touring cars, which are respectably the 2+2 Espada that was named as one of Sant’Agata’s best-selling models and the low-production Islero GT.  It has been a total of five decades since both the Espada & Islero had their premier at the Geneva Motor Show, and The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering have now the honor of displaying 21 of these classic automobiles for the event’s 16th anniversary.

Next up, The Quail pays homage to German automotive innovations and longstanding history by exhibiting the “70 Years of the Iconic Porsche 356” class, which comprises of time-honored vehicles that were a part of the first production sports cars from the Marque. This special class offers tribute to the legendary cars of the past like a 1951 356 Pre-A Split Window, a 1958 356 A Speedster, a 1965 356 C Coupe and many more vintage models.

And finally, “The Alois Ruf Reunion” symbolizes the sheer brilliance of German automotive manufacturing with a line-up of remarkable sports cars from RUF Automobile, which is headquartered in Pfaffenhausen, Germany.  This special class will be featuring the 1988 CTR “Yellowbird” #001, which RUF  themselves masterfully restored to an immaculate condition.  “Yellowbird,” with its newly added 710 horsepower CTR, will definitely make a spectacular North American debut during this year’s Monterey Car Week.  In addition to the 1988 “Yellowbird,” RUF also plans to deliver several other notable automobiles such as the CTR2, the RCT, and many other examples.

“To amp up the anticipation surrounding The Quail, we are featuring four new classes for car enthusiasts from around the world to enjoy,” said Gordon McCall, Director of Motorsports for The Peninsula Signature Events. “Guests of the show will be delighted to see a remarkable selection of cars that represent the Italian and German perspectives of automotive excellence.”

These four special classes were selected together in order to complement both the of pre and post-war classes across the enchanting verdant grasses of Quail Lodge & Golf Club, where they will be put on display. In fact, the prestigious Quail Lodge & Golf Club sets the stage for the Peninsula Signature Events such as The Quail Ride, The Quail Motorcycle Gathering, The Quail Rally and The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering.

Aside from the peerless line-up of distinguished vehicles exhibited throughout the event, The Quail will also be providing those in-attendance with a wide range of culinary pavilions, award-winning wines & spirits and a Fireside Chat Series in the luxurious yet cordial setting.  After viewing the exceptional vehicles on display as well as savoring the culinary delicacies and drinks, guests will later be lead to the Bonhams Quail Lodge Auction, which is going to be held at the Quail Lodge Farm Field.

For those who are planning to attend the event and have yet to obtain their ticket, unfortunately, The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering is now sold out.  However, even if you missed this chance, you may still have the opportunity to purchase tickets by submitting a waitlist request online.  Additionally, there are alternative premium admissions such as The Quail Helicopter Ticket and The Quail Charitable Patron Ticket that are also available for purchase.

For further details about the available ticket options, visit:  FestivalTicketing.com

For more information about the event, visit:  SignatureEvents.Peninsula.com