When it comes to Monterey Car Week, there is no doubt that the Porsche enthusiast’s cup runneth over. On no day is that more true than Friday, choosing between the most Porsche specific event of the week (Werks Reunion) and the most exclusive (The Quail, a Motorsports Gathering).
What makes The Quail so exclusive? For starters, this property plays home to Porsche on a corporate level for the weekend. That includes a corporate display amongst the most exclusive car manufacturers, and also a temporary Porsche Zentrum brand experience that runs most of the week and the Bonhams Quail Lodge Auction that always includes several incredible specimens from Zuffenhausen.
Whether you stop in to cool off on The Quail’s main show day of Friday, or perhaps one of the other days of Monterey Car Week, the Porsche Zentrum is a must visit. This modern structure is a cornucopia of attractions, including a Porsche Collection store, a Porsche Classic display, brand lounge, managed test drives and more. Display cars range from the 919 Tribute record car and a 911 RSR, to a Martini 917 inside, a check-all-the-boxes Porsche Exclusiv Manufactur display car, and even a jaw-dropping parking lot.
Obviously, the main draw at The Quail though is the Motorsports Gathering itself that happens on Friday. This year, Porsche chose to celebrate its 70th Anniversary by displaying the Mission E concept alongside 356-001. Emphasizing the laid-back luxury atmosphere, the Porsche display also included specially branded Jenga and corn hole games for visitors. Near that, a special 356 class highlighted the earlier years of Porsche history.
Another incredible historic collection on the grass at The Quail was that of longtime Porsche builder Ruf. The legendary CTR Yellowbird alongside the latest CTR2 variation were certainly the highlight, but a sizable collection of American-based Ruf specimens was also assembled.
One of the most anticipated Porsche specialists on display must certainly be Singer. The California-based firm is a regular at The Quail, and this year kept its focus specifically on the highly exclusive 911 DLS (Dynamics and Lightweighting Study). This bonkers 911 takes the already incredible Singer formula, and amps it into the next dimension with Williams engineered engine, Bosch developed ESP, and so much more.
Another Quail repeat is the 993-focused firm of Gunther Werks. This firm made its debut the previous year at The Quail, and returned this year with further evolutions of its 993-based 400R. Even more eyebrow-raising was a preproduction shell prepped for a future build, and completely skinned in carbon fiber.
Look, we get it. You may not have attended The Quail. The tickets are both limited in number and expensive, and with Werks Reunion going on just down the road, it’s hard to juggle everything. Even still, we’d argue you simply must plan on attending this event. Whether it’s the acres of incredible cars, delectable foods from top chefs, wandering celebrities or the incredible Fireside Chat series of live interviews with the most significant personalities and builders, it really is THE event you can’t afford to miss during Monterey Car Week.
See our full exclusive photo gallery from The Quail, a Motorsports Gathering 2018 HERE.
See our full exclusive photo gallery from Monterey Car Week 2018 HERE.
