It was an honor to be able to get into this show for the first time this year. Without doubt, one of the most incredible shows I’ve ever attended. The sheer amount of cars was not expected, from the manufactures new displays to seeing Porsche #1, not forgetting the Lancis and RUF collections. One of the unique classes this year was a celebration of the 50th year of the Lamborghini Espada and Islero, a substantial number of these fine cars turned up the amazement of the show.
Just to name some of the cars that were shown – Peter Mullin’s Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic, the Petersen Museum’s new additions to their collection, the Dome Zero (thought I’d have to go to Japan to see this childhood fantasy if a car) and Toyota 2000GT Convertible as featured in the Bond Movie. The full collection of Ferrari supercars starting with the 288GTO, ending with the La Ferrari competed for the spotlight. Parked near it were the racing and street version of Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus’s SCG003. Two Mclaren Sennas and two RUF CTR3’s were also found.
I got the chance to talk to John Campion about the centerpiece display of his Martini Lancias. His fascination with rally cars started when he was a kid, watching the Cork rally in Ireland in 1974 when he saw a Stratos flying around the corner sideways. He was also fond of a Ford Escort (and is currently working on restoring the very car he saw to its racing livery of that race). The competing Lancias caught his interest, something he would revisit years later.
In the meantime, he moved to the States to create a successful company literally powering some of the greatest rock stars on the planet. From this success, he started ‘the typical’ (in his words!) Ferrari collection, a 250, F40 and other highly desirable cars from Enzo’s company. After some time to dwell on this amazing collection, he grew bored and wanted something more matching of his childhood dreams. To some, the idea of shedding a Ferrari collection seems crazy, but not if you have a collection of original Martini Lancias in mind. After many calls and meetings, the collection included the 1983 Lancia 037, 1988 Lancia Delta Integrale (the car that won the WRC that year), and 1985 Lancia Delta S4 Group B (that does 0-60 in 2.3 seconds on gravel).
Other highlights of the Quail included the manufacturers displays, in particular seeing Singer (Williams) DLS coupe in all of it’s incredible detail. Was also my first spotting of the Rolls Royce Cullinan, a vehicle I admit to appreciating more than I thought I would.
The post Monterey Car Week 2018 – The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering appeared first on ColumnM.