Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance presented by Rolex: history on the move
Photo By: Rolex / Tom O’Neal
Each August, the Monterey peninsula, becomes the international focal point for motoring excellence and elegance. Monterey Classic Car Week (13 –16 August) comprises an exceptional gathering of the world’s most beautiful vintage cars at different venues. The car events include: The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance (16 August) and the Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance presented by Rolex (13 August). Both of these major tributes are supported by Rolex.
The idea of a parade on the highway linked to the Concours d’Elegance was launched in 1998. It resulted in the first Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance, a vibrant tribute to vintage cars in motion. The Tour, which traditionally takes place on the Thursday before the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, is open to all participants in the Concours.
This year, the cars will gather at Pebble Beach in the early morning of 13 August, before setting off to parade along roads bordered with pines and cypress trees or overlooking the magnificent cliffs of the bay opposite Carmel-by-the-Sea. At Carmel, a gourmet lunch will be served to the participants while the cars will be on display on Ocean Avenue. Then the cars will set off back to Pebble Beach and the end of the Tour will be celebrated with champagne. It should not be forgotten that there is a competitive edge and that if two cars are tied in judging during the Concours, the car which successfully completed the Tour will gain the advantage.