Monterey Auto Week: Best of show: Concours on the Avenue in Carmel

If you like all things automotive and all things Monterey Peninsula, there’s no better mix than Monterey Auto Week. Despite its name, it’s actually a 10-day span of vintage cars shows, auctions, specialty racing and automotive memorabilia.

But since its debut in 2007, Concours on the Avenue in Carmel was the best thing about Monterey Auto Week.

Compared to other activities, all with great appeal, the Concours on the Avenue had the most appeal, at least for me, because of its collective calm and coolness factors.

How much better does it get than  attainable vintage cars, presented on Ocean Ave., and accompanying side streets in Carmel, jazz playing the background and at an extraordinarily fair price — free.

But just like many other areas, the downtrodden economy has prompted Concours on the Avenue organizers to condense the two-day show into one day, just like its debut year in 2007.

The third edition of Concours on the Avenue will be held Tuesday, Aug. 11

Last year, Porsche and Ferrari were featured Monday, and the other marquees were exhibited Tuesday. This year, the one-day program will include Porsche and Ferrari and a post-WWII marquess on the same day. The concours will be limited to 180 vehicles. Entry deadline is June 10.

“We’re using more or less the same space to do a grander program,” event founder Doug Freedman to the Carmel Pine Cone newspaper. Tthat makes sense to us. Time will tell when we see the look and feel of the overall presentation.”

For additional information, visit: www.carmelconcours.com.