The world's most exclusive road trip – in pictures

Tour d’Elegance gets Pebble Beach entrants on the move

Pebble Beach’s annual Concours d’Elegance is known for presenting priceless classic cars on postcard-perfect California golf greens, gleaming in the sun as they’re judged in the minutest detail.

While the main concours event is where the prizes are won, though, it’s not the place to go to hear classic engines roaring in anger.

No, for that you want the Tour d’Elegance: an exclusive road trip along the stunning asphalt of the Monterey Peninsula that sees the lion’s share of the concours entrants pushing their pristine classics – many worth millions of dollars – just days before the main event.

Didn’t make it down to this year’s Tour? Worry not: we were there – and we had our camera.

Citroën on the cruise

The picturesque route played witness to probably the greatest moving motor show on earth – including this striking Citroën DS21 Cabriolet d'Usine.

It's the taking part

Though the event is certainly not a race, this beautiful BMW 507 wasn't hanging around.

Lesser-spotted Tucker

It was also a treat to see this Tucker 48 tackling the Tour. Only 51 were ever built and a dozen are taking part in a feature class at this year's Concours d'Elegance.

Cruising Caddy

The Patterson Collection’s 1937 Cadillac Series 90 Hartmann Cabriolet had everyone talking as it glided out of Pebble Beach.

Mixed crowd

Striking diversity marked this year’s event, with everything from pre-war pioneers to post-war coachbuilt beauties taking on the challenging route.

Following the links

From Pebble Beach, the convoy travelled inland towards Tehama Golf Club then looped back on the Carmel Valley Road.

Going coastal

The Tour then enjoyed a scenic run along the recently reopened Highway 1 to Big Sur.

Lovely car, my lord

Spotted by the sea was a stunning 1972 Citroën SM Chapron Mylord Cabriolet.

Three's better than two

Several Tucker 48 machines – identifiable by their distinctive three-headlight design – were also out on the coastal asphalt.

Powering through

The steep climbs and sharp descents took their toll on some of the group, with one car failing to clear 17-Mile Drive and another rolling to a stop later, wreathed in the stench of hot engine – though most made it back safely.

Testing the Rossa

There were more recent classics on the Tour, too – including this striking Ferrari Testarossa.

Touring and roaring

Where Sunday’s event is about fastidiously presenting the pristine machines for judging, the Tour gives owners and spectators alike the chance to experience the remarkable motors on the move – and quite often roaring.

Fetching Flaminia

Aside from Ferrari and OSCA machines, this lovely Lancia Flaminia coupé – bodied by Zagato – was a very welcome sight.

Mint imperial

Several cars from the Motor Cars of the Raj class – many boasting a full complement of passengers – also completed the journey, including this Rolls-Royce.

Little red

This year's Tour featured a flock of diminutive OSCA machines and a 1953 Siata 300BC Bertone Barchetta.

Dashing Daimler

This Daimler was one of many American cars on the Tour – and continued the trend of classics finished in gleaming turquoise.

Roaring out of the Raj

An imperious 1935 Bentley 3½-litre Antem Drophead Coupé headed up the Motor Cars of the Raj class.

California cruisin'

There was no shortage of Americana on the Tour, either.

Crowd-pleasing convoy

The Tour concluded on Carmel’s Ocean Avenue, where huge crowds gathered to get a closer look at these most exotic machines. 

Feeling blue

Not every Ferrari on the tour was red, as this fetching blue 250 Europa proved.

VIP machine

This '50s presidential Cadillac Limousine also caused quite the stir, complete with its masked passengers.

All-American

This beautiful cream Buick was also a head-turner as the convoy passed through the streets.

Class of their own

Several OSCA machines were present on the Tour, as the 2018 Concours d'Elegance celebrates the Italian marque with a feature class.

Competition warm-up

There’s no doubt that the road trip set the tone for the rest of Monterey Car Week, with the entire fleet of historic machines ready to compete in the headline Concours d’Elegance event on Sunday 26 August.