Even as Porsche was ramping up production of its rear-engine 356 road car in the early 1950s, the budding carmaker’s engineers were starting a roadmap to the marque’s mid-engine racecar future with the tiny but mighty 1953-1956 550 Spyder.
including the legendary Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance – remained “on hold” during 2020, the participation in online auctions has skyrocketed, and that trend is unlikely to lose momentum soon, according to Premier Financial Services, the nation’s leading provider of lease financing for exotic, vintage and collector cars.
Dating back to 1950, when the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance® and Pebble Beach Road Races were first held, the automotive-related events on the Monterey Peninsula each August have made this gorgeous coastal area the undisputed global epicenter of car culture. This year, live events are back and span Friday, August 6 to Sunday, August 15.
Sometimes, a barn find yields rare gems, like this 1956 Maserati A6G/54 GranSport coupe, which is expected to bring $2.5-$3.25 million at the Gooding & Company Pebble Beach Auction in mid-August. The car is one of 60 built in the A6G/54 series, and one of four built in this coupe style by Carrozzeria Frua.
The EV luxury car market is about to grow, A newcomer, the Lucid Air from a company called Lucid, debuted at the 2017 New York Auto Show, although it won’t be in production until 2019. Like Tesla, Lucid is using the strategy of taking advance reservations.
Last month in Scottsdale, Arizona, a restored 1958 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider Veloce sold for $176,000 at the Bonhams auction in Scottsdale (including premium). Think about that: $176k can still buy a 40-year-newer Ferrari 550 Maranello, or a brand new Porsche 911 Turbo with a smattering of options.
In 2015, Concorso Italiano will once again be a key event of Monterey Automobile Week. Concorso Italiano’s unique format features more than 800 vehicles of Italian origin, and this year includes a reunion gathering for over twenty 250 GTE owners.
The 2nd Annual Werks Reunion will be hosted by the Porsche Club of America Friday, August 14. It is the premier Porsche event during the world-famous Monterey Car Week on California’s Monterey Peninsula. Thousands of spectators are expected to attend this event at Rancho Cañada Golf Club and will be treated to a display of more than 700 Porsches.
The pinnacle of Monterey Automotive Week is Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance offering car enthusiasts and connoisseurs of culture a beautiful and classic close to the week’s frenetic pace. From postwar Ferraris to historic Bentleys, the Concours assembles a stylish mix of historic automobiles alongside new vehicle presentations.
