Stutz scores a California home run

The glamour show that blends cars with champagne

There was a popular victory for a homegrown beauty at the annual The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering in Carmel yesterday (16 August), as the 1931 Stutz DV 32 Convertible Victoria of Joseph & Margie Cassini rolled across the stage to take the coveted Best of Show trophy.

Originally exported to Argentina, the stunning Le Baron-bodied Stutz returned to the USA in the mid-’70s and has recently undergone a full restoration.

100 not out for Bentley

Like so many shows this year, The Quail paid tribute to Bentley with a hugely impressive turnout of cars ranging from Amy Petronis Rand's 1924 2/4.5 Litre to Jeffrey M Grossman's 2018 SuperSports Convertible.

Latin horses prance

Not to be outdone, Ferraris were also out in number for the hotly contested The Great Ferraris class. Among a diverse group featuring racers, GTs and supercars was a trio of fabulous 330GT 2+2s, fronted by David Micciula's gorgeous gold 1967 example.

Supercars and hypercars do battle

The 'Supercars' group was particularly popular among younger visitors, with all manner of mid-engined marvels – including this pair of front-mid-engined Mercedes-Benz SLR McLarens, one coupé and one roadster.

You can't beat a bit of 'Bulli'

Like the McCall Motorworks Revival earlier in the week, one of the features of The Quail was a selection of Volkswagen 'Bulli' buses to mark 70 years of the iconic Transporter. Our favourite was this fantastic fire truck, complete with Metz pump engine.

One very careful owner

With its patinated interior, this 1961 E-type is thought to be the oldest one-owner-from-new XK-E in America.

Then a 20-year-old law student, Darrell Trent bagged the first example on the West Coast after meeting importer Kjell Qvale at a cocktail party. 

"I told him I thought it was the most beautiful car in the world," said Trent. "A week later he called to say his buyer had backed out and did I want the car? Then I had to ring my mother to ask for the money!"

Far-flung Malvern marvel

The Quail might be among the most glamorous events on the calendar, but that doesn't mean that all of the cars are super-exotics.

This 1949 Morgan F4 looked right at home on the greens of the famous golf course, despite a colourful past as a racer at tracks including the nearby Laguna Seca.

25 years of Murray's minter

Another anniversary being marked in California this week was the quarter-century of perhaps the greatest supercar of all, the McLaren F1.

Four examples were on show, including this magnificent metallic red machine, the 63rd of 64 road cars built and later uprated at the factory to the High Downforce Package.

Mighty Maser

Stu Carpenter's Maserati 5000GT is one of three Frua cars, in this case the example built for the Aga Khan in 1962 and fitted with a 45rpm record player.

Stars of the silver screen

Movie cars were another theme for The Quail 2019, with a street of stars stretching out from the main entrance.

The Batmobile, Grease Lightning and Herbie were among the most popular, but none were finer than the regal Buick Roadmaster that starred alongside Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise in Rain Man.

A tale of two Bosleys

"We've got the entire production run of Bosleys right here," laughed restorer Jon Dega, who was showing the superbly rebuilt 1966 Bosley MkII Interstate alongside the Petersen Museum's MkI example.

"It was found in a Detroit barn," said Dega, "and all we had was a body because the original chassis – from the 1956 Sebring Corvette – had been taken away."

Sports truck?

There were a few slightly odd additions to some of the classes, none more so than the 'Post-War Sports 1961-1975' group, which featured Clark Sopper's wonderful - but arguable not very sporty! – 1988 Honda TN Acty BigCab.

Like father, like son

Number 35 of the 88 built, this Apollo 3500GT – once owned by company founder Milt Brown – was the dream car of Kurt Brakhage’s father, although he only managed to capture it aged 72, six years before he died.

After his father passed Kurt stored the 1964 Apollo for six years until finally deciding to finish the body: "He drove it every Sunday until he died... and so do I, now."

The following slides feature a full list of prize-winners…

Most Well Preserved Vehicle

1931 Bentley 4-Litre – Terry & Darlene Larson

The Octane Choice

1952 Nash-Healey Le Mans prototype racer – José Fernandez

Pre-War Sports and Racing

1935 Jaguar SS1 Coupé

Post-War Sports 1945-1960

1956 Mercedes-Benz 300Sc – Marianne Plancke

Post-War Sports 1961-1975

1966 Cheetah Coupe – Mark & Veronica Boen

Post-War Racing Cars

1955 Porsche 550 Spyder – Nicolas Clemence

Supercars

1976 Lamborghini Countach LP400 Periscopica – Malcolm Welford

The Great Ferraris

1958 Ferrari 250GT PF Cabriolet Series I – Brendan Gallaher & Michel Stern

Sports and Racing Motorcycles

1948 Vincent Black Lightning – William E 'Chip' Connor II

Custom Coachwork

1953 Jaguar XK120 fhc – Barry Fitzgerald

A Tribute to the Electric Car Movement

1949 Mercury Coupe ICON Derelict – MC

25th Anniversary of the McLaren F1

1996 McLaren F1 LM – Frank Martin

100 Years of Bentley Motors

1928 Bentley 4.5 Litre Vanden Plas tourer – David McGirr

Spirit of The Quail Award

1957 Ferrari 335S – Cavallino Investments

Rolex Best of Show

1931 Stutz DV 32 Convertible Victoria by Le Baron – Joseph & Margie Cassini