The Quail event during Monterey Car Week is a must for any automotive, helicopter, party, wine, or epicurean enthusiast; there is beyond doubt something for anyone who enjoys the best. For the price of the $600 all inclusive ticket you can spend your day surrounded by everything from a Ferrari F40 and Bugatti Veyron Vitesse to a decadent selection of 5 Buffet style pop-up restaurants prepared by Chef Ethan Mantle, offering Italian, Chinese, Carmel Valley, Beverly Hills, and French Cuisine inspired by the international Peninsula Hotel Group’s properties, who’s owner Sir Michael Kadoorie hosts the event annually at their Quail Lodge property.
This year nearly 5,000 guests attended the event to view over 200 cars and indulge in the 5 star dinning and unlimited champagne. The Quail has been a Monterey Car Week staple since it entered the playing in 2003. Auto Manufacturer displays included 20 vehicles on display from Pagani – including the Huayra Roadster and a Zonda Tricolore, over 10 vehicles from Koenigsegg, the all new Phantom VIII from Rolls Royce, Limited Edition vehicles from Ken Okuyama design (formerly of Pininfarina), additional stand out vehicles included Infiniti’s Prototype 9, Jaguar’s magnificent Project 8, and Bentley’s new Mulsanne Speed.
For 2017, The Quail played host to a number of both national & international debuts such as the Acura ARX-05 prototype race car, the Audi V10+ Spyder, and the Karma Revero. The Lamborghini team celebrated with a display of the all new Aventador S, a stunningly specced dark green Huracán Performante, and the Huracán RWD Spyder. Guntherwerks revealed a bespoke limited run Porsche 993 dubbed the 400R, which will be available to just 25 discerning buyers. In addition to the Phantom VIII, Rolls Royce also presented a custom ordered one-off Dawn (which matched a bespoke McLaren 720s commissioned by the same owner). Mercedes celebrated AMG’s 50th anniversary with a few unique concepts as well as the AMG GT R. Alfa Romeo displayed the beautiful Giulia Quadrifoglio, 4C Coupe and the all-new Stelvio SUV.
The Quail highlights a much wider array of modern cars compared to the Pebble Beach Concours. The Quail is reminiscent of the Goodwood Festival of Speed, especially with the new unveilings like the Pagani Huayra Roadster, Rimac EV’s, and the all new Phantom – making for a diverse experience at Car Week. Being that Ferrari has been celebrating their 70th birthday this year, there was a large collection of vintage and modern models from the manufacturer including the Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder, 275 GTB, Ferrari F40, F12 TDF, and even a La Ferrari in the event’s car park. Surprisingly the event is so well regarded for the cars in the car park, they have created an award ceremony for the best of them; dubbed the Car Park Concours d’Quailegance Award. Judged by Philip Kadoorie, son of The Hon. Sir Michael Kadoorie (Chairman of The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited, parent company of The Peninsula Hotels), the trophy was awarded to a 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB.
The Quail is highly unique in the respect that “The Rolex Circle of Champions winners” are chosen by participants of the event. Making the owners and collectors judges of the event in their entrants respective classes and for the overall Best of Show. See the 2017 winners below.
- Best of Show: 1964 ATS 2500 GTS owned by Bruce Milner
- Spirit of The Quail: 1938 Packard Eight Model 1601 Cabriolet owned by Robert M. Lee Automobile Collection / Anne Brockinton Lee
- Octane Editor’s Choice Award: 1964 Alpine M64 owned by Kim & Mitch McCullough
- Federation Internationale des Vehicules Anciens (FIVA) Award: 1958 Porsche 356 Speedster owned by Mark Haddawy
- Originals: 1957 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk II Fixed Head Coupe owned by Paul Colony
- Mid-Engine Marvels: 1969 McLaren M6GT owned by Mouse Motors
- Pre-War Sports and Racing Cars: 1929 Bentley Speed 6 owned by John & Gwen McCaw
- Post-War Racing Cars: 1955 Fiat 8V Zagato owned by Bruce Vanyo
- Post-War Sports Cars 1945-1960: 1954 Cunningham C-3 owned by James Taylor
- Post-War Sports Cars 1961-1975: 1973 Porsche Carrera RS owned by Edmond & Christine Blais
- Sports and Racing Motorcycles: 1939 Indian Dispatch Tow owned by F. Scott Bosés & Celesta Pappas-Bosés
- The Great Ferraris: 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spyder owned by Charles Wegner
- Supercars: 1988 Porsche 959 Komfort owned by Bill Ceno
- Custom Coachwork: After Shock owned by Rick Dore
With a stunning atmosphere that truly makes way for the best of the best, The Quail is sure to enjoy many more years of fun to come.
For more information on The Quail, a motorsports gathering please visit: SignatureEvents.Peninsula.com
