Gallery: The Quail 2014 - a motorsports gathering

By: David Berthon, Photography by: David Berthon

Date: 05.11.2014

Peter and Robin Briggs from Perth receiving the Pre War Sports and Racing Trophy for their 1933 MG Magnette K3 roadster

Supercars like this Ford GT-40 set in the picturesque Carmel Valley

The Quail has a relaxed Garden Party atmosphere

Tom and Gwen Price from California take out the Rolex Circle of Champions Best of Show with their 1938 Talbot Lago T150C SS

Maserati 100th anniversary: 1957 maserati 300S

1956 Jaguar XKSS – one of just 16 built

In the Rock and Roll category – completely Coachbuilt 1948 Jaguar

1957 Plymouth Explorer

Maserati MC 12 Supercar

Maserati MC 12 engine

1965 Chevrolet Corvette racing

1968 Lotus 56 – 3 Turbine Indy Car was demonstrated to the crowd

John Fitzpatrick from Melbourne entered his 1921 Sunbeam 24/60 fitted with an aero-engine

Rock and Roll sign

Peter and Robin Briggs from Perth receiving the Pre War Sports and Racing Trophy for their 1933 MG Magnette K3 roadster

Supercars like this Ford GT-40 set in the picturesque Carmel Valley

The Quail has a relaxed Garden Party atmosphere

Tom and Gwen Price from California take out the Rolex Circle of Champions Best of Show with their 1938 Talbot Lago T150C SS

Maserati 100th anniversary: 1957 maserati 300S

1956 Jaguar XKSS – one of just 16 built

In the Rock and Roll category – completely Coachbuilt 1948 Jaguar

1957 Plymouth Explorer

Maserati MC 12 Supercar

Maserati MC 12 engine

1965 Chevrolet Corvette racing

1968 Lotus 56 – 3 Turbine Indy Car was demonstrated to the crowd

John Fitzpatrick from Melbourne entered his 1921 Sunbeam 24/60 fitted with an aero-engine

Rock and Roll sign

A popular event during Pebble Beach week is The Quail - a Motorsports Gathering, held on the Friday before Sunday’s main Concours.

100th anniversary of Maserati featuring a 1957 Maserati 300S

THE QUAIL

Located several kilometres south of Pebble Beach on the 18^th fairway, at the exclusive Quail Lodge Golf Club, this is a more intimate event for about 200 cars and a few bikes.

This year’s themes included the 100^th anniversary of Maserati, competition Mustangs, Super Cars, Pre-War sports and racing, Post-war Sports, Post-war racing, the Great Ferraris, Sports and Racing Motorcycles and a tribute to Rock and Roll motorsport enthusiasts.

Limited to around 3000, The Quail is sold out year on year, despite ticket prices this year rising to $550. This gives access to some outstanding cars, all-day Al Fresco dining and as much Louis Roederer champagne and wine as you’d care to drink.

The entry sticker also allows access to Bonhams auction of automobilia and rare classic cars and bikes – this year’s highlight being the international record of $40.9 million paid for a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO Berlinetta.

It’s an upmarket, relaxed Concours in a Garden Party atmosphere but is far from snobbish and patrons get the chance to rub shoulders with some of the world’s great classic car luminaries. This year Wayne Carini, Ken Gross, Nick Mason and Sir Jackie Stewart were among the guests.

Best of Show this year went to a 1938 Talbot-Lago T150 CSS Roadster, but Aussie interest was on Perth enthusiast Peter Briggs who took out the Pre-War Sports and Racing Category with his 1933 MG Magnette K3.

This supercharged team car driven by Tazio Nuvolari and Captain George Eyston to great success in the Mille Miglia and Ulster Tourist Trophy has been sympathetically restored.

The car is the subject of a new book, The Mighty MG Magnettes of 33, by Perth motoring historian Graeme Cocks.

The Quail – a Motorsports Gathering is the brainchild of Chairman of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotel Group, Sir Michael Kadoorie.

The ebullient Sir Michael, himself a classic car collector and regular Pebble Beach entrant, initiated the event eleven years ago with the help of West Coast car collector Gordon McCall.

Concours d’Elegance is all about Style, Elegance and Prestige and The Quail – A Motorsports Gathering has all of this and more. For a car enthusiast, you can’t get any better.

PEBBLE BEACH 2014

Read David's full story on the 64th Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in the current issue of Unique Cars.

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