The standard definition of “concours d’elegance” is “a show or contest of vehicles and accessories in which the entries are judged chiefly on excellence of appearance and turnout.”
\
Spend enough time in the world of luxury automotive events, and invariably you’ll be asked whether one show rivals the legendary Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. The latter, of course, is universally understood to encompass the entire Monterey Car Week, a sprawling itinerary of high-stakes gatherings culminating on the final Sunday in August with what is often considered the pinnacle of aesthetic excellence and pedigree—the Pebble Concours. Yet, the question persists: Is the Goodwood Festival of Speed the superior experience? What about the Goodwood Revival? Amelia Island? Moda Miami? Retromobile? The Audrain?
Indeed, wherever the world’s most discerning collectors and automotive aficionados congregate to admire high-caliber marques, the conversation invariably circles back to Pebble’s reigning supremacy. Here is the unvarnished truth: Pebble Beach still wears the crown of the concours world. However, the heir apparent, the next great power vying for Pebble’s throne—The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering—may very well have a new contender in the game that is redefining the premium automotive landscape.
Why the Shift to The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering?
For decades, The Quail has served as the quintessential appetizer to the main event of Sunday’s Pebble Concours. In fact, for a certain, rapidly expanding segment of the automotive community, The Quail has long surpassed the standing of Sunday’s finale. These enthusiasts typically gravitate toward modern and newly unveiled supercars and hypercars. It is hard to quantify the number of friends I have who endure the long pilgrimage to Monterey Car Week only to depart early Sunday, claiming no interest in “yesteryear’s machinery.” Moreover, the abrupt closure of the Geneva International Auto Show left a premium void in the supercar calendar, a void The Quail has skillfully filled.
Consider these compelling examples. The Lamborghini Aventador debuted at Geneva in 2011, followed by the ultra-exclusive Veneno in 2013. The Aventador’s successor, the Revuelto, was introduced via a digital unveiling, but the Temerario (the Huracán’s successor) was first showcased to the public at The Quail in 2024. The same holds true for the Fenomeno, a seven-figure rarity that made its public debut at the 2025 Quail event. Bugatti unveiled the Chiron in Geneva in 2016, but both the Divo (2018) and Mistral (2022) were first revealed to the world at The Quail. This trend extends to dozens of other exclusive marques. In essence, The Quail has evolved into the preeminent venue for unveiling cutting-edge and ultra-limited production vehicles.
Until this past Halloween, I considered the standing of The Quail within the global automotive hierarchy virtually unassailable. Then I attended the 2025 Las Vegas Concours (officially known as Concours at Wynn Las Vegas), and now I am compelled to reevaluate. I must disclose that I also attended the 2024 Vegas Concours, and while I enjoyed myself, it struck me as relatively regional, if not provincial. While there were some exquisite vehicles, they largely consisted of the typical showcases. In fact, if it weren’t for a project I was collaborating on with Czinger, I likely would not have attended this year. However, I am incredibly grateful that I did attend.
What Is the Las Vegas Concours?
The Wynn Las Vegas hosted an astonishing 48 Bugatti Veyrons on its lawn this year. You read that correctly. Of the 450 total Veyrons ever produced and the 100 sold in North America, 48 were present in Las Vegas. In fact, there were 49 Veyrons, as Bugatti brought a stunning white Vitesse Super Sport to commemorate the Veyron’s 20th anniversary, alongside a Bolide, a Centodieci, a Chiron Super Sport, a Divo, a Mistral, and a model of the upcoming Tourbillon—the 18-cylinder hybrid that will eventually replace the Chiron. Displaying, in one location, more than 10 percent of all Bugatti Veyrons ever manufactured is an achievement that is still difficult to comprehend.
The younger generation appreciates Pagani vehicles, too, right? Because there were more than 40 Pagani models in attendance. I did not capture the exact number (I was too captivated by the Veyrons), but there were several Zondas, including a Zonda Revolution (one of only five), dozens of Huayras, a selection of Utopias, and—concerning for The Quail—the debut of the Huayra Codalunga Speedster, a vehicle Pagani plans to produce in a series of 10 units, with each priced at $7,000,000 before taxes and tariffs. (The mint-green model displayed under covers belongs to Apple’s Tim Cook.) Even if these carbon-titanium extroverts do not appeal to your personal taste, the fact that the 2025 Las Vegas Concours not only hosted the largest Pagani gathering in North American history but also saw Horatio Pagani (who was honored onstage by host Justin Bell for his contributions to automotive design) and his team debut a new vehicle is significant. More on that shortly. Let’s return to the 40+ Pagani vehicles: This is a larger production count than the factory produces in a single year.
The Lamborghini section was equally awe-inspiring if you appreciate these types of machines. To begin with, the 2025 Wynn Vegas Concours hosted the largest gathering of Lamborghinis ever assembled. Yes, you read correctly. Although I did not count them, the approximate number reported was 230. That is 230 out of the 600 cars present that Saturday. It is simply mind-boggling. Among those 230 vehicles, there was a Veneno Coupe (one of the three ever sold to the public; the factory retained a fourth unit), a Sesto Elemento (one of 10), a Centenario Coupe (one of 20) and Convertible (one of 20), and a Reventón (one of 21). The last time I witnessed all these “limited-production” models (as Lamborghini now terms them) together in one location was at the factory museum. It was a staggering display of precious, high-horsepower Italian engineering.
What Could Possibly Come Next?
Two themes dominated the conversations I had with fellow attendees at the Wynn Vegas Concours. The primary question: “How on earth can they possibly top this next year?” No one has the answer, but I wish the Wynn the best of luck. The secondary, and frankly far more intriguing, question emerged repeatedly from OEM automotive manufacturers: “Should we even bother attending The Quail next year?” That is a very good question. Perhaps it is time to wish The Quail the same farewell.
Here are a few facts you may not know about The Quail: A single ticket cost $1,300 last year. That price was extended as a courtesy to those who have attended in the past (“legacy ticket holders,” as I believe they call them). For first-time attendees, the price was $1,600. While that is expensive, it costs OEMs approximately $400,000 to display a vehicle on a show stand for six hours. The Vegas Concours charges approximately 1/20 of that fee. And if you wish to attend, tickets cost $100 per person. That is roughly $2 per Bugatti Veyron on display. I spoke with three different automotive manufacturers who openly questioned the necessity of ever attending The Quail again. Perhaps, they mused, Las Vegas and Moda Miami are sufficient. Furthermore, attendees do not have to contend with exorbitant accommodation prices (one friend mentioned a motel near Pebble that charged $1,100 per night, with a five-night minimum), nor navigate the soul-crushing traffic that plagues Monterey for events that require constant relocation. Moreover, making dinner reservations is straightforward because Las Vegas is designed to accommodate large-scale events.
The preceding observations might seem far-fetched, but only a few years ago, Geneva was the epicenter of the supercar world. I cannot predict the future, but I can assure you that the Concours at Wynn Las Vegas is now on my must-attend list. You should add it to yours as well.
The Shifting Landscape of Luxury Automotive Events in 2026
The term “concours d’elegance” fundamentally refers to a showcase or competition where vehicles and accessories
