Carmel By The Sea Downtown — Monterey Car Week

Few car pics from Carmel-By-The-Sea downtown on Thursday afternoon during the 2022 Monterey Car Week.

I couldn’t think of a better place to park when headed to the Pebble Beach event. It worked out alright, but street parking is very limited and adjacent streets have road signs prohibiting non-residential parking.

1938 Packard Phaeton Dual Cowl
1938 Packard Phaeton Dual Cowl
Chevrolet Corvette C3
Chevrolet Corvette C3
195X Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta TdF
195X Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta TdF
Porsche 356B
Porsche 356B

Once parked and negotiated with a friendly local resident my unconstitutional right for negligence, I hesitated and, instead of assembling my bike, followed the music.

Which inevitably lead me to a few downtown blocks closed off to traffic and densely packed with beautiful cars. Cars of various brands and age — from american cars of 40-th to modern Ferrari, Maserati and Lamborghini cabriolets.

RML Ferrari 250 SWB
RML Ferrari 250 SWB
1992 Bentley Turbo RL
1992 Bentley Turbo RL
1938 Packard Phaeton Dual Cowl
1938 Packard Phaeton Dual Cowl
1992 Bentley Turbo RL
1992 Bentley Turbo RL
Porsche 991.2 GT3RS
Porsche 991.2 GT3RS
Maserati Granturismo
Maserati Granturismo
Mercedes W113 Pagoda
Mercedes W113 Pagoda

Apparently, this was the Prancing Ponies event where ladies presented their favorite (and still mostly combustion-driven) ponies to everyone’s enjoyment. All proceeds from the event go to the 501(c)3 Prancing Ponies Foundation supporting underrepresented and low-income woman.

Quite a few classic cars featured on this page were presented by the Monterey Touring Vehicles company. Their cars were in an immaculate shape and are available for rent in the area. Hey, if folks from MTV are reading this, please sponsor my stay for the next year event!

Porsche 356A 1600
Porsche 356A 1600
Chevrolet Camaro SS 196X
Chevrolet Camaro SS 196X
Buick Special 1938
Buick Special 1938

Ocean Avenue, being a street of historic and authentic buildings, certainly provided a unique and somewhat magical stage for the event. Most guests looked the part — well-dressed, interested and vibrant. Generally visitors come to Carmel for the stroll down the picturesque Ocean Avenue and to have lunch in one of the many fancy restaurants. And for them this display of cars was a lovely bonus.

Valentine Sculpture
Valentine Sculpture

Next year I plan to stop by for the Carmel-by-the-Sea Concourse on the Avenue. Might as well get a cup of so-so coffee and a decent pastry.

See you there!