Wynn’s Supercar Spectacle: The New Contender for the Automotive Throne
For decades, the landscape of elite automotive gatherings has been dominated by a few legendary names. Pebble Beach, the hallowed grounds of the Monterey Car Week, has long been considered the pinnacle of concours d’elegance. But in recent years, a new challenger has emerged from the neon-drenched heart of Las Vegas, shaking the very foundations of the supercar world. This is the story of the Concours at Wynn Las Vegas, an event that has rapidly transformed from a provincial showcase into a global powerhouse for hypercar debuts and manufacturer exclusives.
The term “concours d’elegance” conjures images of polished classics, heritage, and genteel refinement. Yet, as the automotive industry evolves, so too do the preferences of its most devoted enthusiasts. While traditionalists may cling to the past, a new generation of collectors, drawn to the cutting edge of speed, design, and technology, has found a new sanctuary. This is where The Quail once reigned supreme, but the 2025 Concours at Wynn Las Vegas has presented a challenge so compelling that even the most seasoned collectors are questioning their allegiances.
The Rise of the Supercar Sanctuary
When we talk about the world’s elite car shows, we invariably address the question: Is Pebble Beach still the king? Or has the Goodwood Festival of Speed or Revival overtaken it? What about Amelia Island, Moda Miami, or the historic Retromobile? Indeed, wherever the global automotive elite convenes to marvel at rare and expensive automobiles, the debate over the top spot persists. And the truth remains that Pebble Beach is still the reigning champion of the concours. However, the heir apparent, The Quail, now faces a formidable rival.
The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering, has traditionally served as an exquisite appetizer to the main course of Sunday’s Pebble Beach Concours. But for a significant and rapidly expanding segment of the car community, The Quail has long since eclipsed the Pebble Beach proceedings. These are the enthusiasts who crave the latest and greatest in late-model and brand-new supercars and hypercars. I’ve lost count of how many friends make the pilgrimage to Car Week but depart on Sunday morning, uninterested in the “collection of old cars.” Furthermore, the demise of the Geneva International Auto Show left a gaping void in the supercar calendar, a vacuum that The Quail filled admirably.
Consider some recent examples. The Lamborghini Aventador debuted at Geneva in 2011, and the ultra-exclusive Veneno arrived in 2013. The Aventador’s successor, the Revuelto, had its official public debut via an online reveal, but the Temerario (the Huracán’s replacement) was unveiled for the first time at The Quail in 2024. The same holds true for the multi-million-dollar Fenomeno, which made its 2025 Quail debut. Bugatti unveiled the Chiron in Geneva in 2016, but the Divo (2018) and the Mistral (2022) were both introduced to the world at The Quail. This pattern holds true for countless other vehicles. Simply put, The Quail has become the premier venue for showcasing these types of machines.
For the longest time, I believed The Quail’s position in the global automotive hierarchy was unassailable. Then I attended the 2025 Las Vegas Concours (officially known as the Concours at Wynn Las Vegas), and I’m no longer certain. It’s worth noting that I attended the 2024 Vegas Concours as well. While I enjoyed myself, I found it to be more of a regional event. There were some impressive cars, but largely the usual suspects. In fact, if I hadn’t been working with Czinger, who had invited me as a guest, I likely wouldn’t have bothered attending this year. But I am profoundly grateful that I did.
An Unprecedented Gathering of Mechanical Marvels
The 2025 Concours at Wynn Las Vegas was nothing short of astonishing. The Wynn resort grounds transformed into a playground for those who appreciate automotive artistry and engineering prowess. At the heart of the exhibition was the Bugatti section, a testament to the manufacturer’s enduring legacy of speed and luxury. Imagine 48 Bugatti Veyrons on the lawn. Yes, you read that correctly. Out of the 450 Veyrons ever built, and the 100 sold in North America, a staggering 48 were present in Las Vegas. To be precise, it was 49, as Bugatti also showcased a stunning white Vitesse Super Sport to commemorate the Veyron’s 20th anniversary, along with a Bolide, Centodieci, Chiron Super Sport, Divo, Mistral, and a model of the forthcoming Tourbillon, the 18-cylinder hybrid set to succeed the Chiron. Simply displaying more than 10 percent of all Bugatti Veyrons ever produced in one location left me utterly mesmerized.
For those who appreciate Pagani, the event was equally breathtaking. The Quail usually boasts a solid collection of Paganis, but the Vegas iteration elevated the experience to a new level. There were more than 40 Pagani vehicles on display, a number that rivals the manufacturer’s annual production output. While I didn’t count them all (I was distracted by the Veyrons), the lineup included several Zondas, including a rare Zonda Revolution (one of only five), dozens of Huayras, a number of Utopias, and—to the dismay of The Quail—the unveiling of the Huayra Codalunga Speedster, which Pagani plans to build just 10 units of at $7 million each before taxes and tariffs. For the curious, the mint-green prototype displayed under wraps in Vegas belongs to Apple’s Tim Cook. Even if these carbon-titanium extroverts aren’t your style, the fact that the 2025 Las Vegas Concours was the largest Pagani gathering in North America’s history, and that Horatio Pagani (who was honored by emcee Justin Bell for his contributions to car design) and his team chose this venue to introduce a new car, speaks volumes. More on that shortly. But returning to the 40-plus Paganis, this surpasses the total number of cars the factory produces in a year.
Lamborghini’s Masterpiece Collection
The Lamborghini display was equally awe-inspiring for lovers of these exotic machines. The 2025 Wynn Vegas Concours hosted the largest gathering of Lamborghinis ever assembled. Yes, ever. Again, I didn’t count, but the number circulating among attendees was around 230. That’s 230 of the total 600 cars present that Saturday. It was simply mind-blowing. Of these 230 vehicles, the lineup included a Veneno Coupe (one of only three ever sold to the public, with the factory retaining a fourth), a Sesto Elemento (one of 10), a Centenario Coupe (one of 20) and Convertible (one of 20), and a Reventón (one of 21). The last time I saw all these “few-offs,” as Lamborghini now calls them, together in one place was at the factory’s museum. It was an astonishing display of precious, high-horsepower Italian metal and composites.
In the interest of brevity, I’m leaving out details about 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 26/120/180 that also won Best of Show for prewar cars here), the HWA EVO, a Mercedes-AMG One, two Oldsmobile Aerotechs, and a McLaren F1. To say this was a hell of a car show would be a gross understatement.
The Next Evolution of Automotive Events
During my conversations with fellow attendees at the Wynn Vegas Concours, two dominant themes emerged. The primary question was: “How in the world are they going to top this next year?” I have no idea, but best of luck to The Wynn. The other, and frankly far more intriguing, question was posed by the OEM carmakers: “Should we even bother attending The Quail next year?” This is a valid question. Perhaps I should also wish The Quail good luck.
Consider some little-known facts about The Quail. A single ticket cost $1,300 last year. This was a discounted rate for “legacy ticket holders” who had attended in previous years. First-time attendees were charged $1,600. Yes, that’s expensive, but it costs manufacturers around $400,000 to set up a display stand there. And for what? Six hours. The Las Vegas Concours charges about 1/20th of that. And if you want to attend, tickets are $100 each. That’s roughly $2 per Veyron. I spoke with three different carmakers who openly questioned the necessity of ever attending The Quail again. They mused, perhaps The Quail and Moda Miami are enough? Furthermore, attendees don’t face heart-attack-inducing hotel prices (a friend told me about a motel near Pebble that was $1,100 a night, with a five-night minimum), nor do they endure soul-crushing traffic running between events
Wynn’s Supercar Spectacle: The New Contender for the Automotive Throne
For decades, the landscape of elite automotive gatherings has been dominated by a few legendary names. Pebble Beach, the hallowed grounds of the Monterey Car Week, has long been considered the pinnacle of concours d’elegance. But in recent years, a new challenger has emerged from the neon-drenched heart of Las Vegas, shaking the very foundations of the supercar world. This is the story of the Concours at Wynn Las Vegas, an event that has rapidly transformed from a provincial showcase into a global powerhouse for hypercar debuts and manufacturer exclusives.
The term “concours d’elegance” conjures images of polished classics, heritage, and genteel refinement. Yet, as the automotive industry evolves, so too do the preferences of its most devoted enthusiasts. While traditionalists may cling to the past, a new generation of collectors, drawn to the cutting edge of speed, design, and technology, has found a new sanctuary. This is where The Quail once reigned supreme, but the 2025 Concours at Wynn Las Vegas has presented a challenge so compelling that even the most seasoned collectors are questioning their allegiances.
The Rise of the Supercar Sanctuary
When we talk about the world’s elite car shows, we invariably address the question: Is Pebble Beach still the king? Or has the Goodwood Festival of Speed or Revival overtaken it? What about Amelia Island, Moda Miami, or the historic Retromobile? Indeed, wherever the global automotive elite convenes to marvel at rare and expensive automobiles, the debate over the top spot persists. And the truth remains that Pebble Beach is still the reigning champion of the concours. However, the heir apparent, The Quail, now faces a formidable rival.
