The Concours at Wynn Las Vegas: A Supercar Spectacle Emerges
The world of high-end automotive gatherings has long been defined by venerable institutions, yet an audacious newcomer is rapidly challenging the established order. For years, the annual Monterey Car Week, with its crown jewel, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, has been the gold standard for connoisseurs of classic and ultra-exclusive vehicles. However, the landscape is shifting, and the latest challenger to the throne is not just a pretender; it’s a full-fledged royal heir in the making.
The title of best automotive event is a frequent topic of debate. While Pebble Beach remains the undisputed champion of the traditional concours, the “crown prince” vying for supremacy is undoubtedly The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering. Traditionally viewed as a spectacular prelude to the main event at Pebble Beach, The Quail has evolved to the point where, for a significant and rapidly expanding faction of the automotive community, it has already eclipsed the traditional Sunday finale.
This faction primarily consists of enthusiasts of modern, cutting-edge supercars and hypercars. It is no exaggeration to say that the allure of the “latest and greatest” has moved the needle for many collectors. I have encountered countless friends who make the pilgrimage to Monterey Car Week but deliberately skip the Sunday concours, as they have little interest in gazing at “a bunch of old cars.” Furthermore, the abrupt demise of the Geneva International Auto Show left a gaping void in the supercar calendar. The Quail has stepped into this void with remarkable success, serving as a prime venue for groundbreaking reveals and demonstrations.
The Quail’s Transformation: From Appetizer to Main Course
The ascendancy of The Quail can be traced through a series of watershed moments. It has become the preferred stage for many of the most anticipated automotive debuts of the decade. The Lamborghini Aventador, for instance, debuted at the Geneva Show in 2011, followed by the limited-run Veneno in 2013. However, when Lamborghini introduced the successor to the Aventador, the Revuelto, it opted for an online unveiling. In contrast, the Temerario, the highly anticipated replacement for the Huracán, was unveiled to the world at The Quail in 2024. Similarly, the seven-figure Fenomeno made its debut at The Quail in 2025.
Bugatti’s history at The Quail is equally compelling. While the Chiron made its debut in Geneva in 2016, subsequent limited-edition models such as the Divo (2018) and the Mistral (2022) were both premiered to the public at The Quail. This trend is not isolated to these iconic brands; dozens of other manufacturers have also chosen The Quail as their premier launchpad. In essence, The Quail has transformed itself into the premier platform for showcasing these exclusive vehicles.
For many years, I considered The Quail’s dominance in the modern supercar sphere to be unassailable. That perspective began to shift during my visit to the 2025 Concours at Wynn Las Vegas. This event, held annually on Halloween, has rapidly evolved into a formidable rival for The Quail. While I attended the 2024 Las Vegas Concours and found it entertaining, I still considered it a regional, perhaps even provincial, event, featuring many of the usual suspects rather than true global debuts. I was initially inclined to skip the 2025 iteration, but a prior commitment with Czinger brought me there as their guest. It proved to be a decision I am profoundly grateful for.
The Las Vegas Concours: A Spectacle of Unprecedented Scale
The hallmark of the Wynn Las Vegas Concours is its sheer scale and the breathtaking caliber of its exhibits. This year, the grounds boasted an astonishing 48 Bugatti Veyrons on display—a staggering number considering only 450 were built worldwide, and 100 were sold in North America. That’s 48 cars out of the total 450 Veyrons ever created. Furthermore, Bugatti honored the Veyron’s 20th anniversary by displaying a stunning white Vitesse Super Sport, alongside its successors: the Bolide, Centodieci, Chiron Super Sport, Divo, Mistral, and a prototype of the upcoming 18-cylinder hybrid tourbillon that will replace the Chiron. Presenting more than 10% of all Veyrons ever built in one location is a feat that leaves even seasoned automotive journalists speechless.
The younger generation of car enthusiasts is captivated by Paganis, and the Wynn Vegas Concours did not disappoint. The sheer number of Paganis was extraordinary. While an exact count was difficult, it was estimated that over 40 vehicles were present. This included several Zondas, notably a Zonda Revolution (one of only five ever made), dozens of Huayras, numerous Utopias, and—most notably for The Quail—the public debut of the Huayra Codalunga Speedster. Pagani plans to produce only 10 of these special-edition models, priced at a cool $7 million each before taxes and tariffs. For those interested, the mint-green example on display belonged to Apple co-founder Tim Cook. Even if these avant-garde, carbon-fiber extroverts are not your particular cup of tea, the fact that the 2025 Las Vegas Concours was not only the largest Pagani gathering ever assembled in North America but also the venue chosen by Horacio Pagani himself (who was honored onstage by host Justin Bell for his contributions to automotive design) speaks volumes about the event’s growing stature. More on that later. Returning to the stunning count of over 40 Paganis, this represents a production volume that exceeds a full year of output from the factory.
The Lamborghini section was equally astounding for those partial to high-octane Italian engineering. This year’s Concours at Wynn Las Vegas marked the largest assembly of Lamborghinis in history. Again, I did not count, but the figure being discussed was around 230—a truly mind-blowing number considering the total of 600 vehicles displayed on Saturday. Of these 230 Lamborghinis, there was a Veneno Coupe (one of only three sold to the public; the factory retained a fourth), a Sesto Elemento (one of only 10), a Centenario Coupe (one of 20) and Convertible (one of 20), and a Reventón (one of 21). The last time all these “few-offs,” as Lamborghini now refers to them, were together in the same place was at the factory’s own museum. The display was a dazzling exhibition of precious, high-horsepower Italian metal and composite materials.
A Fleet of Icons and Global Debuts
In an attempt to keep this account reasonably concise, I have deliberately omitted an exhaustive list of the other incredible vehicles that graced the Wynn grounds. The lineup included an impressive display of Koenigseggs, the rarely seen Gumpert Apollo, vehicles from Czinger, Nilu, and the public debut of the McLaren Project Endurance race car. The judging field itself was exceptional, featuring a retired, award-winning 1929 Mercedes-Benz 680 S Barker Tourer that had previously won the Best of Show in the pre-war category at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. The event also showcased a HWA EVO, a Mercedes-AMG One, two Oldsmobile Aerotechs, and a rare McLaren F1. When you consider the breadth of this collection, it’s clear that the 2025 Las Vegas Concours was more than just another car show; it was a world-class automotive spectacle.
The Future of High-End Automotive Events
Two threads of conversation dominated my interactions with fellow attendees at the Wynn Vegas Concours. The primary question among guests was, “How on earth are they going to top this next year?” I have no idea, but I wish the Wynn team the best of luck. However, the second query, which I found far more intriguing, was voiced by executives from various OEM carmakers: “Should we even bother attending The Quail next year?” This is a valid question. Perhaps I should wish The Quail the best of luck as well.
There are several factors to consider when evaluating The Quail. Last year, a single ticket cost a staggering $1,300 for returning patrons (labeled “legacy ticket holders,” I believe) and $1,600 for first-time attendees. Yes, those numbers are high, but they are somewhat understandable when you consider that car manufacturers pay around $400,000 to set up a stand at The Quail—and that’s for just six hours. In stark contrast, The Vegas Concours charges roughly 1/20th of that amount. If you wish to attend, tickets are priced at a mere $100. That’s about $2 per Veyron displayed! I spoke with three different carmakers who openly questioned the need to ever attend The Quail again. They mused whether Las Vegas and Moda Miami might be sufficient going forward. Furthermore, attendees will not be paying exorbitant prices for accommodations in a location where a friend reported paying $1,100 per night for a motel near Pebble Beach, with a five-night minimum stay. Securing dinner reservations is also considerably easier in Las Vegas, a city literally built to accommodate large gatherings.
While these points may seem extreme, they are grounded in recent history
The Concours at Wynn Las Vegas: A Supercar Spectacle Emerges
The world of high-end automotive gatherings has long been defined by venerable institutions, yet an audacious newcomer is rapidly challenging the established order. For years, the annual Monterey Car Week, with its crown jewel, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, has been the gold standard for connoisseurs of classic and ultra-exclusive vehicles. However, the landscape is shifting, and the latest challenger to the throne is not just a pretender; it’s a full-fledged royal heir in the making.
The title of best automotive event is a frequent topic of debate. While Pebble Beach remains the undisputed champion of the traditional concours, the “crown prince” vying for supremacy is undoubtedly The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering. Traditionally viewed as a spectacular prelude to the main event at Pebble Beach, The Quail has evolved to the point where, for a significant and rapidly expanding faction of the automotive community, it has already eclipsed the traditional Sunday finale.
This faction primarily consists of enthusiasts of modern, cutting-edge supercars and hypercars. It is no exaggeration to say that the allure of the “latest and greatest” has moved the needle for many collectors. I have encountered countless friends who make the pilgrimage to Monterey Car Week but deliberately skip the Sunday concours, as they have little interest in gazing at “a bunch of old cars.” Furthermore, the abrupt demise of the Geneva International Auto Show left a gaping void in the supercar calendar. The Quail has stepped into this void with remarkable success, serving as a prime venue for groundbreaking reveals and demonstrations.
The Quail’s Transformation: From Appetizer to Main Course
The ascendancy of The Quail can be traced through a series of watershed moments. It has become the preferred stage for many of the most anticipated automotive debuts of the decade. The Lamborghini Aventador, for instance, debuted at the Geneva Show in 2011, followed by the limited-run Veneno in 2013. However, when Lamborghini introduced the successor to the Aventador, the Revuelto, it opted for an online unveiling. In contrast, the Temerario, the highly anticipated replacement for the Huracán, was unveiled to the world at The Quail in 2024. Similarly, the seven-figure Fenomeno made its debut at The Quail in 2025.
