Overview on Ocean Avenue: Carmel Throws a Party for Old Cars

Today the town of Carmel by the Sea threw a party for old cars and their admirers.  Unlike may of the car shows and events which now clutter the schedule of what is lately called Monterey Car Week, the show was free. Overall turnout was supposed to be something approaching 175 cars. These ranged from vintage machinery from the interwar years of the 20th century, like this Alfa 6C and Talbot Lago T23…

…to well-loved used cars from the postwar era.  Though the shine had long worn off this Porsche Speedster, it received a lot of attention from the crowd.

There were sports racers from SCCA's golden age, like these burly Ferraris, one bodied by Scaglietti and one (#69) re-bodied by Sutton in Hollywood, California.  No, that doesn't make it a Ferrari California, but it does make it a unique car.

There were immaculate, polished show cars as well, the kind that get their tire treads cleaned with toothbrushes.

There were prime examples of the coach builder's art, like this Alfa Romeo 1900 Zagato from the mid 1950s…

And this Ferrari 250 GT Lusso…

And there were unique examples of art from metal workers and hot rod builders, like this amazing replica of a Tucker Model 48, with an immaculate clone of the original Alex Tremulis-penned body, right down to the triple-headlight prow and all the related trim…  

But under the engine hood at the rear was a twin-turbocharged Cadillac Northstar V8. 

Some cars were driven to the show, while others came from too far away.  This delicately beautiful OSCA MT4 from the mid-1950s came from the Aloha State…

As car shows go, Carmel Ocean Avenue Concours was the bargain of the year.  And this is just a brief overview.  There will be a Part 2…

Photo credit:  All photos are by the author.