Monterey Car Week. Paradise on Earth. Once a year

The Mercedes Benz 540K didn’t need to travel far to claim the crown of Best of Show at the 2023 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. It marked the culmination of the most revered week in the world of automotive passion. Interestingly, it was here, just last year, that its new owner, Jim Patterson, acquired it at an auction featuring illustrious pieces from Bob Bahre’s remarkable collection. It’s quite plausible that this recognition served as a tribute to the memory of the late great collector, who left us two years ago.

1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster presented by Jim Patterson was awarded Best of Show at Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance 2023.

Cars, after all, are not merely a mix of mechanics and captivating style; they also encapsulate stories, and the Special Roadster, built in 1937 at the Mercedes Benz plant in Sindelfingen near Stuttgart, is a testimony to its own rich history. Its lineage of owners, beginning with the King of Afghanistan who ordered and drove it in a country poised for promising progress at the time, have preserved it in a state of incredible perfection. Returning to Europe after World War II, it then found its way to the United States, where it has been preserved intact, having travelled a mere 13,000 kilometres over more than eight and a half decades.

Spectacular sight at Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance filled with spectators.

Thus, the Monterey Week reaffirmed that in a collector’s market where pre-war cars often struggle to find buyers, sentimentality and nostalgia reward distant and rare models – like the 540K Special Roadster, one of only three in existence – from renowned brands that have shaped automotive history. It’s no coincidence that the other two contenders for success were also pre-war models: an Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 and a Delahaye 165.

From nostalgia to memory, at another grand event of the Car Week, The Quail, a rare and iconic 1956 Ferrari triumphed – the 410 Superamerica Superfast by Pininfarina, presented by the always radiant Anne Brockinton Lee. Anne is no stranger to contest victories, and undoubtedly, her charm and impeccable choice of attire in harmony with the presented automobile contribute to raising the score. Kudos indeed!

1956 Ferrari 410 Superamerica “Superfast 1” presented by Anne Brockinton Lee was awarded Best of Show at The Quail, a Motorsports Gathering 2023.

For those acquainted with the Monterey Car Week, the multitude of scheduled events often exceeds the capacity of any single individual. It’s nearly impossible to attend them all: a week that enthusiasts wish would never end! Among these, at the nearby Laguna Seca racetrack, famed for its hair-raising turn known as Corkscrew, a number of historical and classic car races were held as part of the Rolex Motorsports Reunion. 14 distinct categories encompassing single-seaters, sports cars, GTs, and a range of formula vehicles, a century of racing cars took to the track: from a 1908 Locomobile to a 2006 Riley Porsche. For those who wish to explore the multitude of cars humans have raced with, it was truly a unique opportunity.

Track action at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion in Laguna Seca.

Every year, there’s also an event dedicated to a specific brand. This year, it was Chevrolet’s turn, celebrating the long history of the Corvette. A dynamic museum commemorating the model and brand’s 70-year journey, showcasing an impressive array of 23 different models and versions, spanning from street cars to race cars and concepts.

The 2023 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion celebrates 70th anniversary of Corvette.