There aren’t many events that are more appealing to me than the Concours d’Elegance, which is why I was so happy when I found out NOWNESS wanted to dispatch me to cover the weekend long event. The Concours – which takes place every year on the third Sunday in August at the Pebble Beach Golf Links in California – is without question America’s most prestigious vintage auto gathering. In addition to its esteemed reputation amongst collectors, the show should be ranked at the highest levels of awe and (vintage car) jealously for mere mortals like myself. Concours also ranks up there in terms of people watching and supercar spotting, by the end of the weekend seeing a Bugatti or Enzo was akin to spotting a new Taurus – no biggie. You can read my account and see some wonderful images from the 2010 Concours d’Elegance at NOWNESS.
I am so jealous that you got to attend Concours d’Elegance! I was talking about this event with one of my classic car obsessed friends but he and I never made the trip. I am definitely going next year but I’m not wearing a straw hat! Ha!
Cripes. That’s awesome.
I attended Concours in The Presidio last month. It’s a much smaller event but still so much fun. VIP lounge, fashion show, cigar bar, and tons of vintage (’20s) clothing folks. Quite a scene.
Awesome report. I wen’t with my brother and dad when I was about 14, and we went to the show, and watched the races at the Laguna Seca Raceway as well. It was a great time.
When I was visiting my Granny in the English countryside earlier this summer, I had a chance to go to the Goodwood Festival of Speed. I didn’t really have much time left on my holiday so I didn’t go, but in retrospect, I’m a bit bummed that I missed the opportunity.
Your report is lame and does not tell us anything! A truly awesome event and truly pointless “article” for Nowness!
Noah — I’m glad you enjoyed it and found my report informative. I appreciate your positive feedback and support. It is readers like you that make what we do such a pleasure. So, thank you.
Noah, did you go to the link of the site that he did the report for?
Great pics. Looks like 17 green in the background.
MW:
I used to really enjoy your blog – you know, back when you had content, and wrote about things you knew about. Lately, you’ve got more shameless, uncreative self-promotion than I can ignore. Most every post is about some project that you did, or something you wore, etc. This isn’t meant to be a personal jab, just a nudge indicating that I’ve noticed a trend in the site over the last six months or so. I’ve also noticed that there has been fallout with the readership, as your comment clusterfucks indicate. Stick to the things you are passionate about. Let other people write about the projects you are involved in – because they will, if your work is worthwhile. Under promise and over deliver.
When challenged, you consistently jump to your own defense with sarcastic comments communicating that its your site and you can do whatever you want. No one argues that point. Its your sandbox and you can play in it all by yourself. But wouldn’t you rather be a part of something bigger?
I’m sure you’re a cool guy. I used to get that impression through ACL. I don’t anymore. Just thought you should know.
Thanks for letting me know. I’m sorry I couldn’t meet your standards for blog content.
Hey again,
Just re-read my comment – didn’t mean to sound disrespectful or mean-spirited at all. It was meant to be more constructive than anything. You do good work, and that’s why we come read about it.
RR
I’m guessing that Michael Williams is pretty passionate about Cars.
Love the Packard Twelve. Nice Work.
Not sure why people are hating on this. It’s a classic car event, pictures ARE the story.
These pictures are sweet.
fantastic cars!
Great pictures Michael. I saw a new Ferrari yesterday in Florence, but it’s those old cars I really love.
I went ten years ago and agree with you on the non-restored. They were beautiful in their patina of aged steel and leather. There’s a vibe with the restored cars where so many of the owners have more money than Puerto Rico and hire out all the work. They’re only there for the trophy having done nothing to the car itself other than writing the checks. That authenticity stuff creeps up everywhere.
Michael, Roan has a well expressed point and I agree. Like him, I’m taking the time to mention that things you feature, vintage style, craftsmanship, old kodachrome photos are wonderful explorations and where you should focus. And sarcasm will just drag you down to a place where I would think you don’t want to be. It’s your blog but I would like to find more of what I’ve liked here, self interestedly, so I can want to return again and again.
I was glad to see this post. I caught it on Nowness yesterday. I’ve been to every car concours in the US over the last several years for a former employer. Pebble Beach and the Monterrey Car week are wholly different from anything else happening in the automotive world. There are car shows, there are concours shows and vintage races all over the country and they take place just about every weekend from spring to late fall. Only in Monterrey do you have this kind of regional car freak out. There isn’t a gathering like it anywhere for anything in the car world or anything outside the car world.
MW
its seems like whenever anyone does anything, there is a never ending chorus of dick heads shouting directions from the sidelines. no matter how much work you put into anything, they all have suggestions and ways to make it better.
my question to the chorus of dick heads is, where is your completely amazing blog?
if youve posted articles about projects youre working on or things youve written, its because youve worked on them and want to share them. it has nothing to do with self promotion.
i think roans point totally sucks.
@ phillip
sarcasm does totally suck. its never ever funny or necessary to keep a little humor in a comments thread full of over zealous sub-mentals bitching about anything and everything.
ps. will you be showing your time traveling coupe de ville at concours?
there’s a jaguar like this in the neighborhood. i’m not certain whether or not it’s for sale, but it’s bright yellow and brings me pangs of weird jealousy every time i pass it.
Nice photos of the turf. Seriously, I appreciate the artistic bent of attempting an interesting photo, but these are some of the most beautiful cars of all time, let them do the ‘talking’…
keithwwalker gets it.
Might be a great event, and I’ll take the author’s word that he appreciates cars, but neither of these things are conveyed by the fluffy NOWNESS treatment. On the other hand if you “Don’t Love” it, you might find a more worthwhile piece on Falcon Motorcycles.