An elite venue and showing of some of the biggest new releases from coachbuilders and manufacturers.
Words and pictures by Mitchell Weitzman
There are only a handful of things that I truly look forward to each year, and for an adult car enthusiast, Christmas does indeed come twice a year in Carmel Valley for The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering. A blend of ultra-exotica, a chance to show off the latest and greatest creations, plus gourmet buffets and drinks of your choosing, it's the most looked forward to event of the year for many people. Spectacular really does not do this storied and exclusive event at The Quail Lodge justice, being the one you don't want to miss.
Pagani Utopia Roadster made its American debut wearing a ravishing set of exposed burgundy carbon fiber bodywork. While the original Utopia press photos had done itself zero favors thanks to an awful choice in colors (a pale beige in the first released photos. Gross), this Roadster was a scene-stealer in the flesh and reaffirms Horacio Pagani's position as a modern master of the arts. Mr. Pagani himself may not even be Italian, but he really is our modern day Bernini as he continuously crafts his Baroque beauties.
Getting there early during press hours guarantees soft morning light and a chance to see the staging of many vehicles. Also, less crowds for some extra photo opportunities.
Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera revealed their new Veloce 12, an Italian 'restomod' utilizing a Ferrari 550 Maranello as its base. A car initially impressive on the surface, but only before the revealed 690,000-Euro price, and that's not including the donor car needed. While it's cool to see restomods that aren't Porsches, this one does not do nearly enough over the original car to justify existence, let alone price, coming across as a serious cash grab (ripoff). Especially when considered that a nicely cared for 550 that can be had for half a million fewer dollars or euros. Plus, the styling is too generic and looks like a product of AI. I had high hopes until the egregious price was mentioned! If you buy a mint example of a 550 for transformation, it'll translate to roughly $1,000,000 USD when all is said and done.
Perhaps the most anticipated reveal of the entire Monterey Car Week, Lamborghini took the wraps off their new Temerario, a replacement of the wildly successful Huracan. Immediately and recognizably a Lamborghini, this new model ditches the famous V10 for a new twin-turbo V8 that promises to rev to 10,000 RPM while delivering 907-horsepower. I don't think the matte blue paint finish lent any justice to the design, as a gloss green example shown elsewhere during the week better encapsulated the classic Lambo look and spirit.
Not every vehicle at The Quail has to cost hundreds of thousands, if not millions of dollars. Celebrating 100 years of MG meant the British champion of sportscar modesty had a strong showing on the fairway in Carmel Valley, with Dean and DonnaRae Caccavo from Placerville, CA showing their preserved 1948 MG TC.
Please see The Road Beat's full image gallery below for some of the best sights from and other new releases revealed at the 2024 edition of The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, the shining and soaring jewel of Monterey Car Week.
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