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At Dawn Patrol, It's Carburetors Before Caffeine

  • <p>Monterey Classic Car Week has plenty of attractions, but lucky invitees wake up before the sun to attend the most desirable one on the Peninsula, Dawn Patrol.</p>
    1/13

    Monterey Classic Car Week has plenty of attractions, but lucky invitees wake up before the sun to attend the most desirable one on the Peninsula, Dawn Patrol.

    Don Kelsen/Los Angeles Times + Getty
  • <p>The natural light is barely peeking through on the fairway at Pebble Beach, but a cadre of dedicated (somewhat insane) enthusiasts have already gathered to see the creme-de-la-creme of Monterey Car Week's icons show up. Kicking things off with a bespoke 1950 Ferrari coupe is an auspicious start.</p>
    2/13

    Don Kelsen:Los Angeles Times:Getty Images_6

    The natural light is barely peeking through on the fairway at Pebble Beach, but a cadre of dedicated (somewhat insane) enthusiasts have already gathered to see the creme-de-la-creme of Monterey Car Week's icons show up. Kicking things off with a bespoke 1950 Ferrari coupe is an auspicious start.

    Don Kelsen/Los Angeles Times + Getty
  • <p>Showing at Pebble Beach requires fastidious preparation. Prepping for Dawn Patrol means ensuring every surface is polished and practically perfect, ahead of a public display on the fairway.</p>
    3/13

    Don Kelsen:Los Angeles Times:Getty Images_1

    Showing at Pebble Beach requires fastidious preparation. Prepping for Dawn Patrol means ensuring every surface is polished and practically perfect, ahead of a public display on the fairway.

    Don Kelsen/Los Angeles Times + Getty
  • <p>The light is still soft in the pre-dawn hours of the last day of Car Week, but that doesn't stop galericulate men and women from forming a crowd. The rumble of enormous engines, like the V-12 from this Lincoln, is what gets enthusiasts out of bed on Sunday morning.</p>
    4/13

    Don Kelsen:Los Angeles Times:Getty Images_2

    The light is still soft in the pre-dawn hours of the last day of Car Week, but that doesn't stop galericulate men and women from forming a crowd. The rumble of enormous engines, like the V-12 from this Lincoln, is what gets enthusiasts out of bed on Sunday morning.

    Don Kelsen/Los Angeles Times + Getty
  • <p>On the lawn at Pebble Beach, the rule book on driving etiquette goes out the window. Go ahead. Drive with your priceless gullwing doors open. Gawkers, stand back.</p>
    5/13

    Don Kelsen:Los Angeles Times:Getty Images_3

    On the lawn at Pebble Beach, the rule book on driving etiquette goes out the window. Go ahead. Drive with your priceless gullwing doors open. Gawkers, stand back.

    Don Kelsen/Los Angeles Times + Getty
  • <p>Getting your prewar Aston Martin to start is enough of a challenge on a regular morning. Keeping it steady on the hilly course on a chilly Sunday requires the precision and care that only a dedicated owner can offer.</p>
    6/13

    Don Kelsen:Los Angeles Times:Getty Images_4

    Getting your prewar Aston Martin to start is enough of a challenge on a regular morning. Keeping it steady on the hilly course on a chilly Sunday requires the precision and care that only a dedicated owner can offer.

    Don Kelsen/Los Angeles Times + Getty
  • <p>What's this? A Moon 6-45 Roadster? If you've never heard of it, haven't seen it, and probably won't see another one again, it's likely at Monterey Car Week. A trip down the green on Sunday morning is reserved for the best of the best.</p>
    7/13

    Don Kelsen:Los Angeles Times:Getty Images_5

    What's this? A Moon 6-45 Roadster? If you've never heard of it, haven't seen it, and probably won't see another one again, it's likely at Monterey Car Week. A trip down the green on Sunday morning is reserved for the best of the best.

    Don Kelsen/Los Angeles Times + Getty
  • <p>Pebble Beach is a family affair for the world's elite collectors, making Dawn Patrol something of a bonding experience. Here's another one you probably haven't ever seen, motoring along the lawn: a 1905 Pope Toledo Type IV Roi des Belges Tonneau.</p>
    8/13

    Don Kelsen:Los Angeles Times:Getty Images_7

    Pebble Beach is a family affair for the world's elite collectors, making Dawn Patrol something of a bonding experience. Here's another one you probably haven't ever seen, motoring along the lawn: a 1905 Pope Toledo Type IV Roi des Belges Tonneau.

    Don Kelsen/Los Angeles Times + Getty
  • <p>Cruising at Dawn Patrol is no ordinary drive along the golf course, which means participants need the garb to match. Those still in sweatpants at the pre-dawn hours need not apply—or show up to watch, either.</p>
    9/13

    Cruising at Dawn Patrol is no ordinary drive along the golf course, which means participants need the garb to match. Those still in sweatpants at the pre-dawn hours need not apply—or show up to watch, either.

    Courtesy of Concours
  • <p>It takes more than having a rare, collectible classic car to score a spot at Dawn Patrol. The invitation-only parade is famous for its art deco cars and historic, running treasures, but owning one doesn't guarantee any given collector a place on line.</p>
    10/13

    It takes more than having a rare, collectible classic car to score a spot at Dawn Patrol. The invitation-only parade is famous for its art deco cars and historic, running treasures, but owning one doesn't guarantee any given collector a place on line.

    Courtesy of Concours
  • <p>Can you taste the rainbow of exclusive coupes and convertibles worth millions? Lining up at Dawn Patrol is a nerve-wracking experience, even for the seasoned collector. If you must stare, the owners kindly request you drool far away from the priceless bodywork.</p>
    11/13

    Can you taste the rainbow of exclusive coupes and convertibles worth millions? Lining up at Dawn Patrol is a nerve-wracking experience, even for the seasoned collector. If you must stare, the owners kindly request you drool far away from the priceless bodywork.

    Courtesy of Concours
  • <p>When a Ferrari appears at Pebble Beach, show-goers take note. Dawn Patrol is an opportunity for the 0.01% to show their prized possessions in front of hundreds of agape admirers. To them (and many others), it's worth setting the alarm for 3 a.m., despite the lingering effects festivities of the prior evening.</p>
    12/13

    When a Ferrari appears at Pebble Beach, show-goers take note. Dawn Patrol is an opportunity for the 0.01% to show their prized possessions in front of hundreds of agape admirers. To them (and many others), it's worth setting the alarm for 3 a.m., despite the lingering effects festivities of the prior evening.

    Courtesy of Concours
  • <p>Judging at Dawn Patrol is an exercise in precision and excellence, conducted by professionals in a variety of automotive and design disciplines. If it has wheels, the experts on the fairway know something about it.</p>
    13/13

    Judging at Dawn Patrol is an exercise in precision and excellence, conducted by professionals in a variety of automotive and design disciplines. If it has wheels, the experts on the fairway know something about it.

    Courtesy of Concours
<p>Monterey Classic Car Week has plenty of attractions, but lucky invitees wake up before the sun to attend the most desirable one on the Peninsula, Dawn Patrol.</p>
<p>The natural light is barely peeking through on the fairway at Pebble Beach, but a cadre of dedicated (somewhat insane) enthusiasts have already gathered to see the creme-de-la-creme of Monterey Car Week's icons show up. Kicking things off with a bespoke 1950 Ferrari coupe is an auspicious start.</p>
<p>Showing at Pebble Beach requires fastidious preparation. Prepping for Dawn Patrol means ensuring every surface is polished and practically perfect, ahead of a public display on the fairway.</p>
<p>The light is still soft in the pre-dawn hours of the last day of Car Week, but that doesn't stop galericulate men and women from forming a crowd. The rumble of enormous engines, like the V-12 from this Lincoln, is what gets enthusiasts out of bed on Sunday morning.</p>
<p>On the lawn at Pebble Beach, the rule book on driving etiquette goes out the window. Go ahead. Drive with your priceless gullwing doors open. Gawkers, stand back.</p>
<p>Getting your prewar Aston Martin to start is enough of a challenge on a regular morning. Keeping it steady on the hilly course on a chilly Sunday requires the precision and care that only a dedicated owner can offer.</p>
<p>What's this? A Moon 6-45 Roadster? If you've never heard of it, haven't seen it, and probably won't see another one again, it's likely at Monterey Car Week. A trip down the green on Sunday morning is reserved for the best of the best.</p>
<p>Pebble Beach is a family affair for the world's elite collectors, making Dawn Patrol something of a bonding experience. Here's another one you probably haven't ever seen, motoring along the lawn: a 1905 Pope Toledo Type IV Roi des Belges Tonneau.</p>
<p>Cruising at Dawn Patrol is no ordinary drive along the golf course, which means participants need the garb to match. Those still in sweatpants at the pre-dawn hours need not apply—or show up to watch, either.</p>
<p>It takes more than having a rare, collectible classic car to score a spot at Dawn Patrol. The invitation-only parade is famous for its art deco cars and historic, running treasures, but owning one doesn't guarantee any given collector a place on line.</p>
<p>Can you taste the rainbow of exclusive coupes and convertibles worth millions? Lining up at Dawn Patrol is a nerve-wracking experience, even for the seasoned collector. If you must stare, the owners kindly request you drool far away from the priceless bodywork.</p>
<p>When a Ferrari appears at Pebble Beach, show-goers take note. Dawn Patrol is an opportunity for the 0.01% to show their prized possessions in front of hundreds of agape admirers. To them (and many others), it's worth setting the alarm for 3 a.m., despite the lingering effects festivities of the prior evening.</p>
<p>Judging at Dawn Patrol is an exercise in precision and excellence, conducted by professionals in a variety of automotive and design disciplines. If it has wheels, the experts on the fairway know something about it.</p>
Jeffrey Jablansky

Monterey Classic Car Week has plenty of attractions, but lucky invitees wake up before the sun to attend the most desirable one on the Peninsula, Dawn Patrol.

From Road & Track