Why The Quail Might Actually Be Losing Its Crown to the Las Vegas Concours
The world of luxury cars often revolves around legendary names—Pebble Beach, Amelia Island, and the Goodwood Revival. But after attending the 2025 Las Vegas Concours, I’m convinced the concours d’elegance scene is undergoing a seismic shift. For years, the 1,750-acre preserve that hosts Pebble Beach has been the gold standard for high-end automobile gatherings. Yet, after witnessing the sheer scale and exclusivity of the Las Vegas event, I can’t help but ask: Is The Quail, the traditional Friday warm-up to Pebble, finally losing its grip as the best Concours in the world?
The argument is compelling. While The Quail has successfully transitioned into the premier venue for unveiling new supercars and hypercars, particularly following the decline of the Geneva International Auto Show, the 2025 Las Vegas Concours — officially held at the Wynn Las Vegas — has demonstrated capabilities that are difficult to ignore.
For those unfamiliar with the world of luxury automotive events, a “concours d’elegance” is essentially a high-end display or competition where automobiles are judged primarily on their aesthetics and presentation. These events have become magnets for luxury car collectors and enthusiasts seeking rare and exclusive vehicles. However, in recent years, the Las Vegas Concours has redefined what’s possible for such gatherings, challenging the traditional hierarchy that Pebble Beach has maintained for decades.
Understanding the Luxury Automotive Gathering Hierarchy
Before diving into the specifics of why the Las Vegas Concours is making waves, it’s essential to understand its place in the broader landscape of high-end automotive events. The standard definition of a “concours d’elegance” refers to a contest of vehicles and accessories judged mainly on excellence of appearance and presentation.
For many years, the hierarchy has been clear. Pebble Beach Concours is universally recognized as the pinnacle event, a prestigious affair held annually on the Monterey Peninsula during Monterey Car Week. It attracts the most rarefied and significant automobiles in the world, drawing collectors, collectors, and automotive giants from across the globe.
However, the landscape is changing. A growing segment of the car world, particularly supercar collectors and enthusiasts of luxury sports cars, are increasingly drawn to events that focus on contemporary masterpieces rather than classic cars. This is where The Quail, a luxury gathering held annually in the Carmel Valley, often considered the primary appetizer to Pebble Beach’s main course, has established its reputation. It has become the de facto stage for manufacturers to debut their latest high-performance vehicles, often overshadowed by the Pebble Beach Concours on the Sunday of Car Week.
The Contenders: A Global Roster of Prestige
To truly appreciate the seismic shifts in the automotive event scene, we must acknowledge the major players. Beyond Pebble Beach and The Quail, other prominent events include:
Goodwood Revival in the UK, known for its period-themed atmosphere and classic racing.
Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance in Florida, another highly respected classic car show.
Moda Miami, which has emerged as a rapidly growing contender in the luxury vehicle showcase space.
Retromobile in Paris, a showcase of vintage and historic vehicles.
The Audrain in Newport, Rhode Island, which has gained significant traction in recent years.
While all these events attract high-net-worth individuals and enthusiasts of luxury vehicles, the debate over which one truly reigns supreme in the modern era is heating up. The Las Vegas Concours is no longer just a regional event—it has arrived on the global stage as a legitimate competitor to the established giants.
Why The Quail Is Losing Its Edge
For those who appreciate rare cars and the spectacle of new automotive technology, The Quail has long been a crucial appointment. It successfully bridges the gap between historical excellence and modern engineering.
In fact, for a considerable and expanding portion of the car community, The Quail has already surpassed Pebble Beach’s Sunday event. These individuals typically favor modern supercars and latest model hypercars. Many enthusiasts who travel for Monterey Car Week will leave Sunday morning, having no interest in vintage machines. Moreover, the demise of the Geneva International Auto Show created a void in the supercar calendar, a space that The Quail has filled commendably.
To illustrate this point, consider the debuts that have graced The Quail:
The Lamborghini Aventador made its debut at Geneva in 2011, and the Veneno ($$$) followed in 2013.
The Aventador’s successor, the Revuelto, was unveiled online, but the Temerario (Huracán replacement) was first seen at The Quail in 2024.
The seven-figure Fenomeno made its debut at The Quail in 2025.
Bugatti launched the Chiron in Geneva in 2016, but the Divo (2018) and Mistral (2022) were both introduced at The Quail.
These examples prove that The Quail has become the world’s premier showcase for these cutting-edge vehicles.
The Las Vegas Concours: A Game-Changing Contender
Until Halloween 2025, I believed The Quail’s standing in the global automotive kingdom was secure. But then I attended the Las Vegas Concours, and now I am not so sure. To clarify, I also attended the 2024 Las Vegas Concours, and while I enjoyed it, it felt somewhat limited in scope. There were some decent cars, but mostly the usual suspects. If it weren’t for a project I was working on with Czinger, I probably wouldn’t have bothered attending this year. But man, am I glad I did.
The 2025 Las Vegas Concours at Wynn Las Vegas brought together a level of automotive exclusivity that I have rarely witnessed. It’s not just about the quantity of cars; it’s about the quality and significance of the gathering.
What Is The Las Vegas Concours?
The 2025 Las Vegas Concours was a landmark event, featuring an unprecedented display of luxury vehicles. The Wynn, a premier venue in Las Vegas, proved to be the perfect setting for this extraordinary exhibition.
The Bugatti Spectacle
The Wynn hosted 48 Bugatti Veyrons, a staggering number considering the vehicle’s rarity. The total production of the Bugatti Veyron was 450 units, with only 100 sold in North America. That means the 2025 Las Vegas Concours featured more than 10% of all Veyrons ever built in one place. This alone is enough to make any car collector’s head spin.
In addition to the Veyrons, Bugatti also presented a stunning white Vitesse Super Sport to commemorate the car’s 20th anniversary. The company also showcased the Bolide, Centodieci, Chiron Super Sport, Divo, Mistral, and a model of the upcoming Tourbillon—the 18-cylinder hybrid designed to replace the Chiron.
The Pagani Phenomenon
For those who appreciate modern Italian supercars, the Pagani section was just as impressive. The 2025 Las Vegas Concours hosted the largest gathering of Pagani cars in North America, ever. I didn’t count them myself, but the number mentioned was around 40. Among these were several Zondas, including a Zonda Revolution (one of five ever made), dozens of Huayras, a collection of Utopias, and—to The Quail’s dismay—the debut of the Huayra Codalunga Speedster. Pagani plans to produce only 10 of these at a price of $7 million each before taxes and tariffs. (The mint green one under the covers belonged to Apple’s Tim Cook.)
Even if you’re not a fan of these high-performance, carbon-titanium machines, the fact that the 2025 Las Vegas Concours not only hosted the largest Pagani gathering in North America but also featured the presence of Horatio Pagani—who was honored by host Justin Bell for his contributions to car design—speaks volumes. More on that later, but the fact remains: more than 40 Paganis is a larger number than the company produces in an entire year.
The Lamborghini Showcase
If you’re a fan of Lamborghini supercars, the Las Vegas Concours was mind-blowing. It was the largest gathering of Lamborghinis ever, with estimates around 230 cars—approximately 230 of the 600 cars present that Saturday. This is simply unbelievable.
Among these were a Veneno Coupe (one of three public sales), a Sesto Elemento (one of 10), a Centenario Coupe and Convertible (20 of each), and a Reventón (one of 21). The last time I saw all these “few-offs” (as Lamborghini calls them now) together in the same place was at the factory museum. It was a mind-boggling display of precious, high-horsepower Italian metal and composite materials.
Beyond the Usual Suspects
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