The Great Debate: Pebble Beach vs. The Quail, and the Dark Horse Emerging in Las Vegas
For decades, the rarefied atmosphere of the Concours d’Elegance was defined by a single, glittering name: Pebble Beach. Tucked away on the picturesque shores of the Monterey Peninsula, the Concours at Pebble Beach has long been the undisputed zenith of automotive artistry, a cathedral of chrome, leather, and pedigree. It is the culmination of Monterey Car Week, a week-long procession of luxury marques, high-stakes auctions, and elite gatherings that celebrate the legacy of the automobile.
But as any seasoned connoisseur knows, the landscape of automotive perfection is never static. The landscape of high-end performance and design is evolving, and with it, the hierarchy of prestigious car gatherings. The question on everyone’s mind isn’t just “Is Pebble still king?” It’s a more urgent question: Has the kingdom been subtly usurped? Or at least, are the new heirs elbowing for the crown with an audacity we haven’t seen before?
In the polished circles of automotive excellence, we often hear the comparison: “Is the Goodwood Festival of Speed better than Pebble?” “What about the Goodwood Revival?” “Amelia Island?” “Moda Miami?” And now, ever more frequently, the whisper: “The Las Vegas Concours?” These events are the new battlegrounds for brands, collectors, and enthusiasts who flock to the global hubs where automotive history meets future-forward innovation.
So, let me offer a candid perspective—one that I’ve formed over years immersed in this world, witnessing the evolution of the market and the shifts in buyer behavior. Pebble Beach still reigns supreme. Its legacy is unmatched, its aesthetic unparalleled. But the throne is being challenged, and the usurper is not just a challenger; it’s a force that demands our attention.
The Prince’s Ascent: Why The Quail Commands Respect
For the discerning collector who appreciates the craftsmanship of vintage metallurgy, the Pebble Beach Concours remains the ultimate pilgrimage. It’s where automotive royalty rests, where history is preserved with religious devotion.
However, a new generation of automotive enthusiast has emerged, their gaze fixed not on the gleaming chrome of yesteryear, but on the carbon-fiber bodies of tomorrow. This growing segment often views Pebble Beach not as the main course, but as an appetizing prologue. For them, The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering has already superseded Pebble Beach’s flagship event.
Why? Because The Quail has become the world’s most critical stage for unveiling late-model supercars and hypercars. As the Geneva International Auto Show faded from the global calendar, The Quail stepped into the void with remarkable efficiency.
Consider the pedigree of its debut history. The Lamborghini Aventador made its initial splash at Geneva in 2011, followed by the V12 Veneno in 2013. But the world witnessed the official debut of the Aventador’s successor, the Revuelto, via an online unveiling. Yet, it was at The Quail in 2024 that the next chapter of the Huracán story, the stunning Temerario, was first revealed. The same applies to the seven-figure Fenomeno, which made its spectacular debut at the 2025 Quail.
Bugatti debuted the Chiron in Geneva back in 2016. However, the ultra-limited Bugatti Divo (2018) and the Mistral (2022) were both first seen under the lights at The Quail. This trend extends to dozens of other brands. In essence, The Quail has established itself as the premier global exhibition for this class of vehicles.
The Revelation of 2025: A New Challenger Emerges
For years, I believed that The Quail’s dominance was secure. Then, earlier this year, I attended the 2025 Concours at Wynn Las Vegas. I had visited in 2024, and while enjoyable, it felt regional, perhaps a little provincial. I would have likely skipped this year if not for a project I was working on with Czinger, which invited me as a guest. But, as luck would have it, I’m thrilled I went. The Las Vegas Concours is not just a contender; it’s a genuine challenger for the throne.
A Curated Collection of Legends
The Las Vegas Concours 2025 delivered an experience that was nothing short of staggering. The organizers managed to assemble a display of Bugatti Veyrons that left attendees in stunned silence. Forget the usual suspects; we witnessed the presence of 48 Veyrons on the lawn.
For those unfamiliar with the Veyron’s history, these were the pioneers of the hypercar era. Only 450 were ever produced, and only 100 were sold in North America. To see 48 of them in one place—that’s over 10% of the entire production run—is mind-blowing. And as if that wasn’t enough, Bugatti debuted their stunning white Vitesse Super Sport, an absolute dream machine, to commemorate the Veyron’s 20th anniversary. They didn’t stop there. They also brought along a Bolide, Centodieci, Chiron Super Sport, Divo, Mistral, and a prototype of the next generation: the 18-cylinder hybrid Tourbillon, set to replace the Chiron. Displaying more than 10% of all Bugatti Veyrons ever made at a single event is a historic achievement that will be talked about for years.
Pagani’s Declaration
For those who appreciate automotive extroversion, the young guns know what’s up, right? Well, if you’re in that camp, you would have absolutely loved the Pagani display. There were more than 40 of them. I didn’t get the exact number—frankly, I was too busy drooling over the Veyrons—but I can confirm there were several Zondas, including a Zonda Revolution (one of only five ever made).
We also saw dozens of Huayras, a bunch of Utopias, and—most importantly for The Quail—the official world debut of the Huayra Codalunga Speedster. Pagani plans to build only 10 of these works of art, with an asking price of $7 million each, before taxes and tariffs. If you’re interested, the mint green prototype that was on display in Vegas belongs to Apple’s Tim Cook.
Even if these carbon-titanium beasts aren’t your thing, the significance of the event should not be underestimated. Not only was the 2025 Las Vegas Concours the largest gathering of Paganis ever in North America, but Horatio Pagani himself—who received a Lifetime Achievement Award from emcee Justin Bell for his incredible contributions to automotive design—chose to unveil a new vehicle there. This signals a major shift in where manufacturers choose to debut their most exclusive products.
Lamborghini’s Unprecedented Gathering
If you’re into hypercars, the Lamborghini section was simply mind-blowing. The 2025 Las Vegas Concours was the largest gathering of Lamborghinis ever assembled. Yes, ever. Again, I didn’t count them myself, but the whispers suggested around 230 of the 600 cars present on Saturday. It was a truly unbelievable sight.
Out of those 230 cars, we saw some of the rarest Lamborghinis on Earth. We had a Veneno Coupe (one of only three publicly sold; Lamborghini kept one), a Sesto Elemento (one of 10), a Centenario Coupe (one of 20) and its Convertible twin (also one of 20), and a Reventón (one of 21). The last time I saw all those “few-offs”—as Lamborghini now calls them—in the same place was at the factory’s museum. It was an astonishing display of precious, high-horsepower Italian metal and composites.
What Could Possibly Come Next?
To try and maintain brevity, I haven’t even mentioned the Koenigseggs, the Gumpert Apollo, the Czingers, the Nilu, the debut of the McLaren Project Endurance race car, all the cars that were actually judged (including a former and insane Pebble Beach Concours-winning 1929 Mercedes-Benz 680 S Barker Tourer that won Prewar Best of Show at Vegas), the HWA EVO, a Mercedes-AMG One, two Oldsmobile Aerotechs, and a McLaren F1. That is simply hell of a car show, without listing everything.
Two conversations kept recurring as I roamed the lawns of the Wynn Las Vegas Concours. The big question everyone was asking: “How in the world are they going to top this next year?” Honestly, I have no idea, but I wish the Wynn the best of luck. The other question was far more intriguing and came directly from the OEM car manufacturers: “Should we even bother doing The Quail next year?”
That is a very valid question. And if I’m being honest, I might say godspeed to The Quail, too.
The Economics of Prestige
Let me give you some perspective. Last year, a single ticket to The Quail cost $1,300. This was a discounted price for returning customers, called “legacy ticket holders,” I think. The fee for first-time attendees was $1,600. That sounds expensive, but it costs manufacturers about $400,000 to set up a display booth for just six hours.
Meanwhile, The Las
