Words by Dan Vaughan; photographs by Richard Michael Owen. Top photo courtesy of Rolex/Tom O'Neal.

• An exclusive celebration of the past, present, and future - 2023 The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering
Northern California's Monterey Car Week reunites all facets of the automotive community, from the collector to the motorsport enthusiast, and from the admirer of the hypercar to the 'lemon car.' It is a celebration of the automobile, from the historic to the modern, and from car auctions to the local cars and coffee.

For the past two decades, the Quail, a Motorsports Gathering, has created its own niche by being......well......the best and most exclusive of everything. It showcases motorsports, new car reveals, collector cars, supercars, hypercars, tuner cars, muscle cars, historic and modern coachbuilding, and everything in between. There are limited-edition exotics, high-performance models, unique one-off creations, and historically correct automobiles with exacting restoration. It is a 'garden party,' a 'cars and coffee for the distinguished connoisseur,' and an epicenter for global unveilings. For those looking to buy or sell an automobile, world-renowned auctioneers Bonhams jointly holds an auction during the event.

During its two decades of existence, the Quail has become a benchmark and a favorite of the Monterey Car Week, attracting collectors, enthusiasts, and lovers of the finer things in life. It is an elegant outdoor experience with themed food pavilions full of epicurean delights, award-winning wine vendors, and live music.

Throughout the day, the Fireside Chat Series allowed attendees to hear from industry and motorsports leaders and icons about the future of their favorite brands and car collecting.


Situated in the heart of Carmel Valley, on the well-manicured greens of the Quail Lodge & Golf Club, this year's renowned event showcased over 200 vintage and modern vehicles and celebrated 30 years of hypercar manufacturer Koenigsegg, the first turbocharged Porsche 911, a tribute to world rally cars and 100 Years of MG.

'We are proud to honor some of the brands that have helped shape modern car culture, including Porsche and Koenigsegg, at this year's The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering,' said Kai Lermen, managing director of Quail Lodge & Golf Club. 'Every year, we work to cultivate a luxurious experience for all automotive enthusiasts, and we hope to make this year's festivities the most memorable yet.'

Additionally, there were eight traditional classes that included Custom Coach Work, Pre-War Sports and Racing Cars, Post-War Sports Cars from different eras, Post-War Racing Cars, Sports and Racing Motorcycles, the Evolution of the Supercar and the Great Ferraris.




photo courtesy of O'Gara

Back for a second year, the O'Gara Pavilion featured four custom builds by British coachbuilder Lanzante; the list included a unique Porsche 930 TAG Turbo art car and three bespoke McLaren supercars.

'It was evident right away that visitors to the O'Gara Pavilion at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering were engaged and excited by the cars we had on display,' said Tom O'Gara, Founder. 'The Quail is an event filled with some of the greatest performance vehicles ever created, and we feel that the O'GARA experience really delivered something exceptional for guests, who saw the debut of the TAG Turbo art car, and proved how modern coach building delivers extraordinary bespoke projects in the McLaren creations by Lanzante.'

'It was exciting to see such a strong emotional response by the attendees to the vehicles we showcased at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering. This event is known for bringing out the very best of the best in the luxury and performance automotive spaces,' said Dean Lanzante, CEO Lanzante 'With O'Gara Coach being such a critical partner of Lanzante, we were thrilled by the opportunity to bring these truly special vehicles together at the O'Gara Pavilion.'


photo courtesy of Hispano-Suiza

Hispano Suiza expanded its presence at The Quail, 'A Motorsport Gathering,' with more square meters and two clearly differentiated areas: one dedicated to hospitality and the other one to the car display. Taking center stage was the Hispano Suiza Carmen Boulogne, the sportier evolution of the Hispano Suiza Carmen, a spectacular all-electric hypercar delivering 1114 CV and legendary Hispano Suiza luxury and exclusivity. For Sergio Martínez Campos, CEO of Hispano Suiza 'what we have experienced at The Quail, and throughout the week, demonstrates the passion of the American market for our brand. This encourages us to think about the Monterey Car Week of 2024 from now on'.


photo courtesy of Bugatti
As Bugatti's illustrious past was celebrated as part of the prestigious Monterey Car Week, so was its incomparable present, with its latest piece of art, the unique Chiron Super Sport 'Golden Era', the pure embodiment of Bugatti's Sur Mesure limitless personalization program, taking centre stage at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering.


photo courtesy of Lamborghini

Automobili Lamborghini unveiled the company's first pure-electric fourth-model concept, the Lanzador, a high-ground-clearance Gran Turismo with 2+2 seats, at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering. The all-electric concept car combines the ultra-high-performance elements of the flagship Revuelto and the versatility of the Urus, while featuring an unparalleled on-board experience via new infotainment features. It is an all-wheel-drive concept that includes an electric motor on each axle ensuring permanent all-electric drive in every condition, surface and driving style, with peak power of more than one megawatt.


photo courtesy of Lotus

F1 World Champion Jenson Button debuted his pure electric Lotus Evija hypercar at 'The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering.' Like all examples of the Evija, Button's car is completely bespoke and based on the spec which he chose in consultation with the Lotus Design team. The striking design and unique colour scheme pays tribute to his 2009 Championship-winning Brawn GP car – Arctic White, with Verve Yellow and Carbon Black as accents. The number 22 is prominently displayed on the deployable door mirror housing, a nod to Jenson's race number during that amazing season. It is also replicated on the interior door lining.


photo courtesy of Lotus

The Type 66 is a 'lost Lotus' track car, rediscovered and reimagined from the company's archives. Unveiled at 'The Quail, A Motorsport Gathering' the Type 66 is a new, ultra-exclusive, low-volume (only 10 will be available, each costing in excess of £1million) car from Lotus. The Type 66 has been launched in Lotus' 75th anniversary year and is testament to the brand's desire to reimagine the best elements of its heritage, updating them in the most exhilarating way possible.


photo courtesy of Maserati

Presented as the Modena-based brand's most powerful track car, the Maserati MCXtrema (unveiled at The Quail) is a courageous and exceptional car from all points of view, designed for purist collectors and for the loyal customers of the brand, who wish to add a new 'toy' to their garage that can swallow up the kerbs of the most exciting tracks during private tests.


photo courtesy of Aston Martin

Aston Martin proudly introduced its new DB12 Volante, an open-top companion to the recently introduced DB12 Coupe. Timeless qualities of style and craftsmanship have been revitalised by advanced technologies and state-of-the-art engineering, while the driving experience has been honed to its keenest possible edge. Aston Martin Chief Executive Officer, Amedeo Felisa, said: 'For many of our customers, roof down driving is the greatest pleasure. Aston Martin Volantes have captured that emotion and expressed it in unique style for more than six decades. With the new DB12 Volante we have changed the rules, creating a car that intensifies those feelings by preserving all the purity and exceptional sporting capabilities of the DB12 Coupe. A rare and true sporting convertible in every respect, this is a car to challenge preconceptions and find a new generation of Volante customer'.


photo courtesy of Acura

Acura is accelerating toward its electrified future with the world debut of the all-electric 2024 ZDX. Styled at the Acura Design Studio in Southern California, the dramatically sculpted SUV reflects many of the exterior themes previewed with the Acura Precision EV Concept, including an eye-catching illuminated evolution of Acura's Diamond Pentagon grille.



Amongst the sea of shining sheet metal sat an exceptional 1961 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 Coupe which was one of three E-Types shown at the 1961 New York Auto Show. It is chassis number 885004, and it differs slightly from the later production cars, although the overall design remained largely unchanged until its replacement in 1975. The current owner bought it in 1996 and reunited the coupe with his other E-Type, the 1961 New York Auto Show roadster.


The 1953 Ferrari 250 MM on display (chassis number 0258 MM) is one of eighteen Coupes designed and built by Pinin Farina on Ferrari's 94-inch wheelbase with the 2.9-liter, 240-horsepower, Colombo-designed V12 engine. It was raced in the 1953 Mille Miglia by Count Bruno Sterzi and Giulio Rovelli, along with outings at the Autodroma Monza, Coppa d'Oro and the Six Hours of Pescara.


The 1967 Bizzarrini 5300 Strada was delivered new to an owner in Sicily, where the car remained for most of its life. It was acquired in 2005 and brought to the United States by the current owner's father. The car was completely original with nicely aged paint and upholstery and this patina was preserved as much as possible when it later underwent a sympathetic restoration. This car has less than 17,000 km on the clock and still wears its original Palermo license plates.


The Fiat Dino Ginevra Special Berlinetta was a styling exercise built using the Fiat Dino mechanical components and shown at the Geneva Motor Show in 1968. Designed by Paolo Paolo Martin for Pininfarina, it was an evolution of the Fiat Dino Berlinetta Aerodinamica aerodynamic study by Pininfarina that was shown at the Paris Motorshow in 1967.


The 1970 Heuliez 914/6 Murène Concept was designed by Jacques Cooper and built by Brissonneau and Lotz. When finances ran low, support was provided by Heuliez. The completed car was shown at the Paris Motor Show in 1970, wearing an attractive two-tone beige paint scheme. It was dubbed the Murène, which is a French word for a species of eel.


The 1984 Lotus Etna is a true concept in that it tested a new and low drag coefficient design, a new engine, and was packed with technology. Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro of Italdesign and introduced in 1984 at the British International Motor Show, the rear mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive vehicle was powered by a 4.0-liter Lotus (Type 909) V8 engine paired with a five-speed manual transmission.


The House of the Raging Bull introduced the Concept S in 2006 at the Geneva Motor Show, and like the 350 GTS and the Miura Roadster before it, it is a unique car, an extreme and spectacular expression of the Lamborghini brand. Created at the Centro Stile Lamborghini in Sant'Agata Bolognese by Luc Donckerwolke, former Head of Lamborghini Design, the 'Concept S' was his extreme interpretation of an 'open car'. Using the Gallardo as a basis, Donckerwolke drew inspiration from the classic single-seater racing cars of the past to create this design study.


The new Automobili Pininfarina B95 is the first-ever all-electric hyper Barchetta and is a coachbuilt celebration of timeless PÚRA design and technical mastery.


The Bugatti Centodieci (Italian for '110') is a homage to the Bugatti EB 110 and a celebration of the Bugatti marque's 110th birthday. Revealed at 'The Quail - A Motorsports Gathering' in 2019, production was limited to ten units. Twp examples were on display at this year's event.


The One-77 from 2012 epitomizes everything Aston Martin from technology, the hand-craftsmanship of the hand rolled aluminum panels to the attention to detail. A culmination of all the marque's know-how, the One-77 delivers effortless beauty guaranteed to stir the senses with performance potential eclipsing any previous Aston Martin.



The newest member of the Rolex Circle of Champions and this years 'Best of Show' was a 1956 Ferrari Superamerica 'Superfast 1' owned by Anne Brockinton Lee. With its sleek, powerful and futuristic characteristics on the shorter 250 GT wheelbase, it is said to have influenced styling for years. It sports raised tailfins, a cantilevered roof design, and was a significant design departure for Ferrari. Power was from a unique version of the 4.9 Lampredi V-12 featuring twin ignition and 24 spark plugs.

After its introduction at the 1956 Paris Auto Show, the car was sold to William Doheny of Beverly Hills, California, and later, actor Jackie Cooper. It was a central feature at the 2005 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance when 75 years of Pininfarina was celebrated. It has since been painstakingly restored by Pininfarina in Italy.

Other award winners announced at 2023's The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering include:
Spirit of The Quail
1949 Lancia Aprilia Supergioello owned by Nigel Churcher

Hagerty Drivers Foundation & Preservation Award
1962 Lancia Appia Convertible Vignale owned by Bronson Page and Michael Baum

The Art of Bespoke Award presented by Magneto
1953 Delahaye 135MS CL Spéciale Faget-Varnet owned by Anthony Collé



A 1938 Delage Type D8-120 S Cabriolet By De Villars was awarded the prestigious 'The Peninsula Classics Best Of The Best Award. The exclusive accolade selects a winner from an elite group of exceptional classic cars that have won significant awards at the previous year's major concours events. The Delage became eligible for consideration after winning the Best of Show trophy at the 2022 Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace.

'This award is truly the highest honour for a car collector like myself,' said Mr. Fritz Burkard, owner of the 1938 Delage Type D8-120 S Cabriolet. 'It has been such a joy bringing this car to numerous concours around the world. To be selected as the recipient of this distinguished award by such an acclaimed group of judges is truly humbling.'

Considered one of the finest examples to emerge from Delage and bodied by De Villars, the Delage D8 is a one-off two-seater model. The sports body coachwork features stunning proportions and distinctive riveted fenders. The car was first shown at the Concours de l'Auto de Printemps in 1938, where it won the Grand Prize – quite a feat, considering it was up against all the major marques of the day.

Also competing for the award this year was a distinguished group of finalists, including a 1932 Duesenberg Model J Sports Torpedo by Figoni, a 1934 Duesenberg LaGrande Convertible Coupe and a 1937 Bugatti 57S Cabriolet by Vanvooren. Other nominees were the 1938 Dubonnet Xenia Coupe by Saoutchik on a design by Andreau, a 1956 Ferrari 250 GT Coupe by Zagato, the 1966 Ferrari 365 P Berlinetta Speciale 'Tre Posti' by Pininfarina and a 1956 Jaguar D-Type racer. These cars all received the highest awards from the most esteemed concours events of 2022.

For more coverage from this year's event, be sure to check out this video from our event photographer, Richard Owen.



Incorporated in 1866 and listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (00045), HSH is the holding company of a Group which is engaged in the ownership, development and management of prestigious hotel, commercial and residential properties in key locations in Asia, the United States and Europe, as well as the provision of tourism and leisure, club management and other services. The Peninsula Hotels portfolio comprises The Peninsula Hong Kong, The Peninsula Shanghai, The Peninsula Beijing, The Peninsula Tokyo, The Peninsula New York, The Peninsula Chicago, The Peninsula Beverly Hills, The Peninsula London, The Peninsula Paris, The Peninsula Istanbul, The Peninsula Bangkok and The Peninsula Manila. The property portfolio of the Group includes The Repulse Bay Complex, The Peak Tower and St. John's Building in Hong Kong; The Landmark in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; and 21 avenue Kléber in Paris, France. The clubs and services portfolio of the Group includes The Peak Tram in Hong Kong; Quail Lodge & Golf Club in Carmel, California; Peninsula Clubs and Consultancy Services, Peninsula Merchandising, and Tai Pan Laundry in Hong Kong.


The Peninsula Signature Events are organized by The Peninsula Hotels, dedicated to creating world-class bespoke events at its properties. Quail Lodge & Golf Club is home to the following Peninsula Signature Events: The Quail Ride, The Quail Motorcycle Gathering, The Quail Rally and The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering. peninsula.com/signatureevents