Kicking off the Monterey Car Week, Gordon McCall’s Motorworks Revival celebrated its 24th anniversary on Wednesday, August 12th, 2015. Held at the Monterey Jet Center in two hangers, the party once again thoroughly entertained all who attended. Starting at 5pm with a photo opportunity and being greeted with a flute of Champagne, it was a red carpet experience.

Seemingly more aviation themed than the past few years, automotive and motorcyclist enthusiasts were not disappointed. There are not many other events where you can speak with Horace Pagani in front of his artful supercars or with Christian von Koenigsegg at his One:1 display. There were many other notable displays. Honda brought their new NSX as well as the HondaJet aircraft, Maserati, Singer Porsche, McLaren with a 650S Spider and 570S and seeing the new Ford GT in person was a real treat. Mecum brought in vehicles to preview before their auction at the Hyatt as well which was another photo opportunity.

Tickets started at $350 or $425 the day of the event, but besides the airplanes, helicopters, and all types of wonderful automobiles, guests enjoyed complimentary champagne and wines from Bernardus and Roederer Estate along with delicious hors d'oeuvre and lite bites, an oyster bar and various desserts. It was quite divine from a culinary perspective besides a visual perspective.
Benefitting the California Highway Patrol 11-99 Foundation for spouses and children of fallen officers, an auction was held featuring a 1956 356 Porsche replica, a Baume Mercier Capeland chronograph timepiece, a four-day driving experience at the Bondurant High Performance School of Driving, a vintage styled electric bike with CHP motif and a collection of products donated by CosBar of Carmel.

And of course well known attendees included Keanu Reeves, Wayne Carini, Adam Carollla and Reggie Jackson. Other notables from the motorsports arena included last names such as Bondurant, Brock, Sullivan, Rainey and Lawson. The only minor negative was not enough seating for the ladies in their glamorous attire with corresponding shoes. The thoughtful gift bag included a very nice color program, bottled water, a McCall hat and some little snacks. Truly a kickoff, it’s a sneak peak of all the awesome cars that are seen or spotted throughout the week with access like none other. It’s an opportunity to feel like a VIP, to truly attend and experience something magical among works of art and science that happen to have tires.

Album link:  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.694743150630399.1073741860.378354382269279&type=1&l=e12bfbc80f

We went to a party at the Monterey Jet Center on Wednesday, August 13th. It had a red carpet entry, a photo area, complimentary champagne, sushi, caviar, an oyster bar, live music and DJ(s). We saw Chad McQueen, Wayne Carini and various captains of industry. It was quite a party, but the real stars were the airplanes, helicopters, cars and motorcycles in the two hangers and the tarmac in front. The
vehicles were the recipients of all the oohing and ahing.

Gordon McCall hosted another spectacular kick-off party for the Monterey Car week. At $325 per person for a VIP ticket, it is not inexpensive, but it is a spectacular party that just happens to host a world-class vehicle show. Prominent displays of car manufacturers included Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Ford, Icon 4x4, Jaguar, Lamborghini, Lexus, Maserati, Mercedes Benz, Pagani, Panoz, Singer Vehicle Design, Tesla, and Toyota. The big sponsor was the CHP 11-99 foundation raffling the new 2015 Ford Mustang 50th anniversary edition, Parmigiani and Baum Mercier watches, a Hasselbrad camera and a Foxy Couture brooch. Gleim the Jeweler, Weather Tech, Feadship shipping cooperative, Carmel Realty Company and others also had displays.

Out on the tarmac there were spectacular aircraft on display including Gulfstream, helicopters and a P-51 Mustang. Rick Cole Auctions parked a number of very fine entries to pre-preview before the Thursday viewing and auction starting on Friday. Other notable highlights were sport coupes from the Petersen Auto Museum, the freakishly massive 30 foot, 1600hp Packard Royal with a PT Boat engine and Ford Mustang concept car.

Speaking with other attendees was fascinating with collectors, business owners, philanthropists, visitors to the US to buy or sell at upcoming auctions and others there just to enjoy the festivities. With so much varied and finely engineered hardware to peruse at this spectacularly prepared and attended venue, a big thank you and standing applause to Gordon McCall for a magical evening.

Photo album here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.539829769455072.1073741838.378354382269279&type=1&l=ae000feea1

The event that is considered the kickoff for the Monterey weekend is fabulous. Gordon McCall’s 22nd Motorworks Revival party held Wednesday, August 14th, 2013 featured bright colors, fascinating designs, great lines, the well-known and not-so-well known. The featured cars, motorcycles and airplanes were really special too!

Despite being a cloudy late afternoon at the Monterey airport, the number of vehicle carriers along the way and small jets at the airport was a hopeful indicator of what attendees were in store for. Jason, the ever-present parking director and his crew did an excellent job of lining up the cars.
A short stroll around the Monterey Jet Center administrative building, around the corner, and ta-da! Plenty of staff to hand out waiting tickets and at the entrance, two rows of identically dressed servers each with flutes of champagne on a tray as party goers walk on the blue carpet. What a start!

Sleek lines best describes the attendees, both mechanical and carbon based! Several luxury jets and propeller planes could be boarded, and various exotic cars could be sat in. Aston Martin had the largest presence with many models present including the ultra-rare One-77, the debut of the 2013 Vanquish and the V-12 Vantage S! Breitling watches partnered with the California Highway Patrol 11-99 charity foundation for a $100 per ticket raffle of the Skyracer watch. Breitling also featured a display of watches along with a Bentley having a stunning Breitling limited edition Continental with a factory representative to answer questions.

The North American debut of two examples of the superb and obtainable 2014 Maserati Ghibli was compliments of Maserati of Sacramento. Mr. Pagani was present with a carbon fiber intensive, sculpted Pagani Huayra masterpiece; a crowd and enthusiasts favorite. Octane Magazine hosted an even more exclusive lounge upstairs. Copious amounts of champagne and wine was served and the hors d’oeuvres were a culinary delight compliments of the Bernardus Lodge with Chef Cal Stamenov.

The music made for the perfect accompaniment of the atmosphere. Particularly telling was how well the event was attended even at the 10pm closing time despite starting at 5pm. Capturing the essence of the weekend is what Gordon McCall’s party does best. Phenomenal vintage and modern automobiles, motorcycles and aircraft with a first class atmosphere and accommodations make for a superb event!