Jon Robert Quinn Reflects on 2026 Monterey Car Week: Spectacular Cars, Unforgettable Moments
The Californer/10354608

MONTEREY, Calif. - Californer -- After nearly two decades of attending Monterey Car Week, Jon Robert Quinn and the Impact & Influence team returned to the Monterey Peninsula for the 2026 celebration of automotive excellence, luxury and motorsports. First attending in 2008, Quinn has watched the event evolve from a gathering deeply rooted in automotive enthusiasts and collectors into one of the world's most significant automotive tourism destinations.

This year's Car Week once again delivered what attendees have come to expect: extraordinary automobiles, remarkable collections, world-class events and an opportunity to see some of the industry's most recognizable personalities and enthusiasts. Quinn was also pleased to reconnect with familiar faces, including Keith Collins and others who have become part of the annual Monterey Car Week experience.

Among the highlights was a visit to the Gooding & Christie's auction, where the caliber of automobiles on display was nothing short of extraordinary. One of the most memorable sights was Carroll Shelby's one-and-only Daytona, reportedly offered at $25 million — a remarkable piece of automotive history that demonstrated why Monterey Car Week continues to attract collectors and enthusiasts from around the world.

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The experience in Carmel was also memorable. While navigating the city presented its challenges, Quinn said he understands the difficult position local officials face as Monterey County manages an enormous influx of visitors during Car Week.

However, one portion of the experience that proved particularly frustrating was navigating the 17-Mile Drive.

Traffic management throughout the area appeared highly disorganized, with visitors repeatedly redirected into circular patterns and, in some cases, placed into potentially dangerous situations. Red lines throughout the area are intended to help direct traffic between different portions of the property, but GPS navigation can create a significant problem when drivers are directed back toward an entrance or roadway they have already been instructed to leave.

The result, Quinn observed, was an unfortunate cycle involving stopped traffic, U-turns and vehicles moving in opposing directions while attempting to follow conflicting instructions.

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Ultimately, the only practical way the Impact & Influence team was able to reach the Gooding & Christie's auction was to leave the area entirely and approach from another direction, bypassing much of the 17-Mile Drive.

Quinn's criticism is not intended to diminish Monterey Car Week. Quite the opposite. Quinn believes designated viewing areas, additional parking locations, pedestrian-friendly gathering spaces and clearly marked areas where visitors can safely photograph the automobiles could transform some of the current challenges into opportunities.

Despite the challenges, 2026 Monterey Car Week delivered spectacular automobiles, memorable experiences and another reminder of why the Monterey Peninsula remains synonymous with automotive culture.

https://youtu.be/aq7PoZsYSio