In August, the Monterey Peninsula turns into a mecca for car enthusiasts, culminating in what many consider the highlight of the week: The Quail, a motorsport event.
Taking place at the Quail Lodge & Golf Club in Carmel Valley, The Quail is a showcase of luxury and performance vehicles and is the ultimate Monterey Car Week experience.
Each year, the event showcases cars of varying prestige and historical significance, a world tour of fairway-spread food, and of course, endless glasses of champagne. I’ve covered The Quail in its entirety several times now, but this year I focused on capturing cars that stand out for their aesthetic appeal and the diversity they represent.
True to form, The Quail 2024 brought together all facets of car culture. The variety on display was unparalleled, from future hypercars and restomods to bespoke one-offs, concours-level restorations and manufacturer special editions. There was even a rally car section, which was my personal highlight.
Of all the cars on display, however, one stole the show for me: the new 993-based Gunther Werks GWR. As a Porsche fanboy, this should come as no surprise.
The GWR’s all-carbon bodywork houses a Rothsport-built 4.0L flat-six that revs to 9,000 rpm and produces 500 horsepower. With a power-to-weight ratio of 4.8 lbs per horsepower, it should be absurdly fast. Given that everything is either forced induction or hybrid these days, I can only imagine how visceral and theatrical the GWR’s naturally aspirated driving experience will be.
Air-cooled dreams aside, except for the cars The Quail’s meticulous attention to detail always makes for a fantastic event, and this year was no different. From the curated displays to the exceptional service, it’s hard to top.
Ultimately, The Quail is the embodiment of Monterey Car Week, combining automotive passion with elegance. For attendees, it offers a rare opportunity to experience automotive history and innovation in a setting that truly celebrates the art of the automobile.
Naveed Yousufzai
Instagram: eatwithnaveed