From a Hypercar Worth $2.5 Million to a Track-Ready Spanish EV: Highlighting the Most Fascinating Electric Vehicles at Monterey Car Week

The allure of classic cars, luxurious champagne, and high fashion has long been at the heart of Monterey Car Week. However, a shift occurred recently with the introduction of electric vehicles (EVs), vehicles with a tech focus, new startups, and a strong presence of Silicon Valley innovators enriching this year’s spectacle.

The esteemed Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance embraced a fresher, more contemporary vibe, welcoming a younger demographic and showcasing automobiles from beyond the customary pre- and post-war eras. For a change, the event spotlighted Wedge-style automobiles stretching from the 1950s to the present. Among the highlighted cars was a 1970 Lancia Stratos HF Zero Bertone Coupe, owned by Phillip Sarofim of Trousdale Ventures and Meyers Manx, which clinched a top-three spot. The prestigious Best in Show award was bestowed upon a 1934 Bugatti Type 59 Sports.

The atmosphere buzzed with collectors, aspiring social media stars, youthful automobile enthusiasts, and a scattering of celebrities, creating a vibrant mix of traditional luxury brands and innovative startups, drawing the affluent to witness some of the most extraordinary and costly vehicles worldwide.

This year’s gathering was noticeably larger and younger. Events such as Hagerty’s Motorlux and The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, saw tech entrepreneurs mingling, savoring champagne, bacon walls, and limitless caviar on crackers, not to mention dancing—which is a departure from the typically more reserved musical selections of past events.

Rob Howard of Kindred Motorworks remarked on the palpable vibrancy and youthful eagerness to immerse themselves in the automotive culture, not just observe. Another founder, in his mid-40s, humorously noted that he felt like the oldest attendee at a McLaren event.

The festivities were numerous—and populous. Over 4,100 individuals flooded the Motorlux event at Monterey Jet Center, said Hagerty’s public relations, where attendees braved traffic just for parking. The Quail event hosted over 5,000 guests on Friday. And while unauthorized road rallies were curtailed by a strong police presence in the Monterey, Carmel, and Pebble Beach areas, excitement for electric vehicles surged to new heights.

Howard also highlighted the deeper integration of electric vehicles into Monterey Car Week. His startup showcased a vintage-now-electrified Bronco at Motorlux, representing this year’s significant leaning towards electrification.

Here’s a glimpse into the standout moments from this year’s celebration of automotive passion and innovation.