Major Rare And Vintage Car Shows Making A Comeback This Spring And Summer

The car world has seen its share of highs and lows over the past year, but one thing is for certain; automotive events and showcases are roaring back to life this summer, and they’ve had enough time to prepare for a comeback like no other. Car enthusiasts across the country are looking forward to Monterey Car Week in California, the Amelia Island Concours d’ Elegance in Florida, and The Bridge in the Hamptons, so gear up no matter which coast you’re on. All three events work to bring together classic cars, racing history, and more than enough opportunities to admire, learn and shop. This season promises anniversary celebrations, fan favorites, racing honorees and luxury bonuses to make sure your chosen event is more than an ordinary vacation. 

Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance(Jacksonville, Florida)

May 20-May 23, 2021

With a four-day calendar of events taking place outside of sunny Jacksonville, Florida, Amelia Island’s Concours d’ Elegance is one of the nation’s most anticipated car events of the year. The island turns May 20-23 into a long weekend with auctions, test drives, and formal dinners centered around a shared passion for driving. Tickets to certain portions are already sold out, so plan in advance!

The week’s events begin with the RM Sotheby’s Preview and the Amelia Island Concours Silent Auction, both taking place at the grand Ritz-Carlton in the center of the island. 

Highlights from the next three days include the Reliable Carriers’ Eight Flags Road Tour, Cars & Coffee at the Concours, and the RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island Saturday Auction, featuring a hand-picked selection to bid on.

Automobilia/ Luxury Lifestyle merchants will also be present at the Ritz Carlton on Friday and Saturday, and luxury cars will be on display right in front of the venue through Sunday. Reserve your spots at the McLaren Dinner of Champions and the Honoree Cocktail Reception and Gala Dinner to celebrate with other guests at the Talbot Ballroom. 

Your Amelia Island itinerary isn’t complete without tickets to the actual Concours d’ Elegance. The namesake event takes place on Sunday, May 23rd at the Golf Club of Amelia Island and lasts all day, with a few special moments in between, including honoree Lyn St. James’ entrance, the Sandra Alford Cars & Vintage Fashion Show and the Chairman’s Welcome. The Awards, which include Best in Class and Corporate Awards, are announced during the afternoon. At 4pm The Amelia will crown the 2021 Best In Show winners, marking the end of a weekend of elegant rides, strong competition, and good company.

The Amelia Island Concours d’ Elegance Foundation also partners with Jacksonville’s Spina Bifida (SBJ), an organization that works with people affected by the birth defect. Spina Bifida of Jacksonville is hosting a raffle in which the main prize will be a 2002 BMW 530i, donated by Youtuber Samcrac and Alex Moss. Your ticket purchase will directly benefit SBJ and families grappling with Spina Bifida. Not only will raffle participants have the chance to win the car, but two ticket holders will also be given free entry to the Cars & Coffee at the Concours event on May 22nd. Get your raffle tickets here–  best of luck!

Monterey Car Week (Monterey, California)

August 6-August 15, 2021

Kicking off on August 6th, Monterey Car Week is jam packed with automotive events for vintage vehicle collectors, sports car aficionados, casual car lovers and anyone who can appreciate speed, style and poise. Between Downtown Monterey, Pebble Beach and the famed WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Car Week is as scenic as it is entertaining, especially in mid-August. As its start date approaches, so do registration deadlines for the event lineup, so reserve your spot before tickets sell out!

After enjoying live music and meet-and-greets at the Kick-Off event, don’t miss The Porsche Monterey Classic, scheduled for August 9th in Seaside. Spend the day taking in (you guessed it!) classic Porsches with a glass of wine or whiskey.

Celebrating its 30th Anniversary this summer, McCall’s Motorworks Revival invites you to an exclusive viewing of new releases from top auto, motorcycle and aircraft producers. You’ll also catch a glimpse of plans in the works, all alongside a gourmet selection of California fare and wines. Don’t forget your VIP Gift Bag at the end of the event!

The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, is scheduled for August 13th, and follows the yearly garden-party theme that lends itself so well to a day spent among the rarest sports and race cars in the world. The vehicle of the highest caliber is awarded the Rolex Best of Show to reflect the Swiss watch brand’s ongoing commitment to excellence in both design and production. The “Best of Show” is awarded an engraved Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust 41. Gourmet cuisine and globally sourced wine is included in your entry ticket. Charitable Patron tickets are also available, as is the exclusive VIP Quail Helicopter Package.

As one of the most popular parts of Car Week, Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion steals the show; it’s only fair that it takes place at the historic Weathertech Raceway in Laguna Seca. Featuring over 500 historic vehicles selected for their racing capabilities, the Reunion is divided into 14 race groups based on year of origin.

This year also marks the 55th anniversary of Ford’s role in the 1966 Trans-Am racing series; and rightfully so, it’s cause for celebration. The Ford Mustang was one of the Trans-Am’s leading vehicles, and the race group remains an American icon, as does the car itself. Available to the public during the Reunion, the Ford Features Display will focus on honoring the Trans-Am’s history at Laguna Seca while thinking ahead to the future of the company. Find ticket packages, day passes and VIP experience information at WeatherTechRaceway.com.   

Wrap up your week with the Pebble Beach Concours d’ Elegance, where internationally acclaimed vehicles compete for the ultimate honor- the title of Best in Show. The Sunday event takes place at Pebble Beach Golf Links, where the rolling lawn sets the scene for historic and vintage automobiles from private collections. The Concours d’ Elegance is a great introduction to the community of Pebble Beach and the perfect grand finale to Monterey Car Week.

The Bridge (Bridgehampton, New York)

September 18-September 19, 2021 

The Bridge is one of the newest and most unique automotive events taking place in 2021. Its founders have been hosting the gathering since 2016 at one of Long Island’s most exclusive golf clubs, and this year’s 5th iteration is gearing up to be its best yet. Presented by Richard Mille, automobiles being shown entail classic sports cars and racing cars that have history at the Bridgehampton Race Circuit. The grounds of the former racing site are now occupied by the golf club, and the yearly return of vintage automobiles to the location honors the vehicles and drivers that defined Bridgehampton’s post-war rise to glory. 

The September 18th event continues to be by invitation only, but the team behind The Bridge is set to host a Cars & Coffee event on September 19th at the Bridgehampton Historical Society that is open to the public with complimentary admission.  Many of the cars displayed at The Bridge on Saturday are also displayed at this event.

In its first year, The Bridge showcased luxury vehicles in conjunction with an installation by artist Richard Prince to huge success; the art & automobiles model continues to draw visitors to The Bridge. Let this September be your introduction to an evolving vision of what a contemporary car showcase can entail.