The Concours at Wynn Las Vegas: A New Benchmark in Automotive Excellence
For those entrenched in the world of high-end automotive events, the conversation often circles back to a predictable query: “Is this show better than Pebble Beach?” The latter, of course, traditionally refers to the entire spectacle of Monterey Car Week, a multi-day extravaganza of exclusive gatherings and the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours itself. This week-long celebration of all things automotive culminates in what is widely regarded as the zenith of concours d’elegance.
The question persists: Is the Goodwood Festival of Speed superior to Pebble? What about the Goodwood Revival, Amelia Island, Moda Miami, or Retromobile? Anywhere the elite congregate to admire blue-chip automobiles, the question remains: Is Pebble Beach still king?
For years, Pebble Beach has reigned supreme. However, the heir apparent to Pebble’s kingdom—The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering—may soon face a formidable challenger. The Concours at Wynn Las Vegas, now in its third year, has emerged as a significant force in the global automotive landscape.
The Evolution of The Quail
The Quail has historically served as the perfect appetizer to the main course that is Sunday’s Pebble Concours. Yet, for a rapidly growing segment of the automotive community, The Quail has long since eclipsed the Pebble event. These enthusiasts tend to favor modern and new supercars and hypercars. Countless friends have made the trek to Car Week only to depart on Sunday morning, having zero interest in vintage automobiles.
Furthermore, the demise of the Geneva International Auto Show left a gaping void in the supercar calendar, a void that The Quail has filled admirably.
Consider this: The Lamborghini Aventador debuted in Geneva in 2011, and the ultra-exclusive Veneno was unveiled in 2013. The Aventador’s replacement, the Revuelto, premiered via an online event, but the Temerario (Huracán’s successor) was first seen at The Quail in 2024. This aligns with the launch of the seven-figure Fenomeno, which debuted at The Quail in 2025. Bugatti unveiled the Chiron in Geneva in 2016, but the Divo (2018) and Mistral (2022) both debuted at The Quail. This pattern extends to numerous other marques, solidifying The Quail as the premier showcase for these high-performance machines.
The Las Vegas Experience
Until recently, I believed The Quail’s position in the automotive hierarchy was unassailable. However, my attendance at the 2025 Las Vegas Concours (officially Concours at Wynn Las Vegas) has shaken that conviction.
I attended the 2024 Vegas Concours as well. While enjoyable, it struck me as somewhat provincial. The selection included several commendable vehicles, but they were mostly familiar faces. If not for an invitation from Czinger to attend as their guest, I likely would have skipped this year’s event. But I am profoundly grateful that I went.
The Concours at Wynn Las Vegas is more than just a car show; it is an experience designed to captivate even the most jaded enthusiasts. The logistics are handled with precision, the atmosphere is electric, and the lineup of vehicles is nothing short of spectacular.
A Collection of Supercar Legends
The Wynn boasted 48 Bugatti Veyrons this year. You read that correctly. Of the 450 Veyrons ever built and the 100 sold in North America, 48 were present in Las Vegas.
Wait, make that 49. Bugatti also presented a stunning white Vitesse Super Sport to commemorate the Veyron’s 20th anniversary. Additionally, they showcased a Bolide, Centodieci, Chiron Super Sport, Divo, Mistral, and a model of the upcoming Tourbillon—the 18-cylinder hybrid set to succeed the Chiron. Displaying more than 10 percent of all Bugatti Veyrons ever produced in one place is simply breathtaking.
Pagani enthusiasts also had reason to celebrate. There were more than 40 Pagani vehicles in attendance. While I didn’t get an exact count (I was too busy marveling at the Veyrons), the collection included several Zondas, including a Zonda Revolution (one of five), dozens of Huayras, a selection of Utopias, and—to the concern of The Quail—the debut of the Huayra Codalunga Speedster. Pagani plans to produce only 10 of these models at $7 million each before taxes and tariffs. (The mint-green specimen under wraps belongs to Apple’s Tim Cook.)
Even if these carbon-titanium extroverts aren’t your forte, the fact that the 2025 Las Vegas Concours was the largest gathering of Paganis in North America—and that Horacio Pagani, honored by emcee Justin Bell for his contributions to automotive design, and his team chose this venue to introduce a new model—speaks volumes.
A Record-Setting Lamborghini Gathering
The Lamborghini section was equally astounding for those who appreciate these types of vehicles. The 2025 Wynn Vegas Concours was the largest gathering of Lamborghinis ever recorded. Again, I didn’t count, but estimates suggested around 230 vehicles, accounting for nearly half of the 600 cars present that Saturday.
This lineup included a Veneno Coupe (one of only three publicly sold; the factory retained a fourth), a Sesto Elemento (one of ten), a Centenario Coupe (one of 20) and Convertible (one of 20), and a Reventón (one of 21). The last time I witnessed all these “few-offs” (as Lamborghini now calls them) together was at the factory museum. It was a stunning display of precious, high-horsepower Italian metal and composites.
Beyond the Major Exhibits
In the interest of brevity, I have omitted details about the Koenigseggs, the Gumpert Apollo, the Czingers, the Nilu, the McLaren Project Endurance race car debut, 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 here for prewar vehicles—the HWA EVO, a Mercedes-AMG One, two Oldsmobile Aerotechs, and a McLaren F1. This represents one hell of a car show.
A Balanced Selection of Icons
While the headline-grabbing hypercars understandably draw the most attention, the Wynn Vegas Concours also offers a carefully curated selection of modern icons and historic treasures. For those with an appreciation for pure engineering and design, the Concours delivers in spades.
The 2025 event saw a remarkable array of modern marvels, including the latest Bugatti hypercars, the avant-garde designs of Pagani, and the raw power of Lamborghini’s limited-edition supercars. These modern icons not only represent the pinnacle of current automotive engineering but also embody the spirit of innovation and exclusivity that defines the luxury car market today.
Beyond the cutting-edge machinery, the Concours presented an impressive collection of modern classics and luxury vehicles that appeal to a broad range of collectors. The diversity of marques and models ensured that there was something to captivate every attendee, from the casual observer to the seasoned connoisseur.
The Future of Automotive Gatherings
Two recurring conversations dominated my interactions with fellow attendees at the Wynn Vegas Concours. The first, posed by nearly everyone, was: “How on earth are they going to top this next year?” I have no idea, but godspeed to the Wynn.
The second, and frankly far more intriguing, question came from the OEM manufacturers: “Should we even bother attending The Quail next year?” This is a pertinent question. Perhaps it’s time to say godspeed to The Quail as well.
Here are some facts you may not know about The Quail: A single ticket cost $1,300 last year—a courtesy price for returning attendees (they call them “legacy ticket holders”). For first-time attendees, the price was $1,600. While this is expensive, it costs OEMs approximately $400,000 to secure a booth there for six hours.
The Vegas Concours charges about 1/20 of that. Tickets are $100 each, which is approximately $2 per Veyron. Several manufacturers openly questioned the need to attend The Quail again. Perhaps, they mused, Las Vegas and Moda Miami are sufficient?
Furthermore, for attendees, you won’t face heart-attack-inducing hotel prices (a friend stayed at a motel near Pebble for $1,100 a night, with a five-night minimum) or the soul-crushing traffic of running between events. Making dinner reservations is also effortless, as Las Vegas is literally built to accommodate large gatherings.
Innovation and Accessibility
The success of the Concours at Wynn Las Vegas can be attributed to its forward-thinking approach to the automotive show experience. By offering a premium venue, impeccable organization, and accessibility that contrasts sharply with the exclusivity of traditional events, The Quail has set a new standard for the industry.
One of the most striking aspects of the Wynn Vegas Concours is its ability to attract a diverse audience, ranging from long-time collectors to new enthusiasts. This inclusivity ensures that the passion for automobiles continues to thrive, as the next generation of collectors is inspired by the beauty and engineering of these incredible machines.