Monterey Part IV – Your Comments
Hi Friends!
Last week we asked you to provide us with your thoughts regarding the three major collector car weeks in the United States. Here are some of your responses:
“You are right on target for the required fundamentals of a genuine car week concept. Access, convenience, variety are the cornerstones. I am still amazed that so many promoter’s egos prohibit them from creating an alliance that fulfills these simple concepts. Take it a step further: add destination cultural and historical elements, culinary and performing arts. Tours and Shows, etc. As usual, the car guys are so narrow minded, they fail to capitalize upon proven templates, for example Bike Week (to some degree) and Woodward Dream Cruise. ModaMiami took a pretty good run at it – but it was too “top heavy” with RM (who footed the bill) – but certainly a good start… Chattanooga Motorcar Festival looks like it’s off to a pretty good start too.”
– Anonymous
“I’ve been working in classic cars for several decades now and if there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s that conglomerates, venture capitalists, Wall Street, etc can’t manage anything properly here. The fact that entities like this now own so many pillar events is very concerning. I’m very worried for the next generation. I fear these events won’t be there for them when they need them.”
– Anonymous
“I think Arizona is the best logistically of the three. They definitely have the best freeways and overall hotel access. Monterey has the best events, but there’s too many. I’d like to see something in between Monterey and Amelia Island as far as number of events. The number of players in Monterey is also the best. Hagerty and BJ hold too many cards in Amelia and Arizona. Arizona is barely worth going to right now unless you’re buying cars. If they had more events, they could easily be the best.”
– Anonymous
“Monterey has 100% “jumped the shark”. Too much “look at me, bling bling” at events that are insanely expensive (MotorLux), too exclusive for admission (Quail), too many “wannabes” in ridiculously fast, modern Hypercars driven by kids who are like handing a lit stick of dynamite to a 3-year-old (tunnel in downtown Monterey) and Roach Motels that charge Waldorf Astoria rates that my dog won’t even sleep in… Sure – you can fly in on your private jet and stay at The Lodge – but that is essentially the final straw that keeps me from going back following over 35 CONSECUTIVE years of attendance. It’s now just a “uber rich indulgence exercise” – long lost are the days of “genuine car guys” enjoying the comradery of likeminded, knowledgeable, passionate enthusiasts. (when 90+% knew the difference between a ‘real’ Cobra and a kit car from 50 yards away). For me, Monterey now “sleeps with the fishes.”
– Anonymous
“I’ve had it with Florida. Greed and ego have ruined what was once my favorite week. In my opinion, it’s not worth it to go to Amelia Island under its current reign and I have no desire to do anything in Miami.”
– Anonymous
“Monterey is definitely the best. If they had a few less events and it wasn’t so expensive it would probably be perfect. I like Arizona, but not enough going on to make going worth it. I have no interest in Florida anymore.”
– Anonymous
“I have a business in Arizona and its decline has been very predictable. For as long as I’ve been doing this, the powers that be have been ruling with an iron fist here and have made being successful extremely difficult for anybody who’s not under that umbrella. Since companies like Bring-a-Trailer have revolutionized online bidding, it was only a matter of time. Arizona can come back, but we need events and city officials to offer a level playing field. The next few years will be interesting.”
– Anonymous
“None of them are perfect, but they’re all good and they’re all important.”
– Anonymous
This concludes our four-part series on the current positives and negatives of major classic car event weeks in the United States. Thanks to everybody who participated directly, emailed us with thoughts or commented on social media throughout this series.
That’s it for this week…
Darin Roberge