I attended The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering this past weekend and was struck again by the same thing that happens at every Monterey Car Week performance. Such a concentration of multi-million dollar exotics and classics has a way of overwhelming the senses, and you simply can’t get it all right.
With a light schedule this year, quail was the first event I attended and so the effect didn’t take long to settle. I used the word tired describe it before, but it is not entirely true. Rather than discouragement, it’s actually quite the opposite. The underlying excitement level is so high that it becomes difficult to separate the extraordinary from the exceptional.
everything This is a good.
With such an incredible array of machinery parked along the rolling greens of Quail Lodge & Golf Club, I was thrilled many times to walk through the grounds on Friday. How do you distill that down to something that can be consumed in a few photos and a few meaningless words?
To start, I’ve rounded up a few photos I took of just three of my favorites from the show. These were the literal poster cars of my youth, and I’m confident in saying that I’m not alone.
Fairlady 432
This S30 Z was one of two cars at the show, possibly the only Japanese car on display. Boasting standard Datsun S30 bodywork, the simplicity of this Japanese market example stood out on the lawn. As any JDM enthusiast will quickly tell you, the 432 badge on the back – and what it means under the hood – makes all the difference.
This 432 model sold new in Japan for almost double the price of the standard Fairlady Z Hakosuka GT-R drivetrain, limited slip differential and factory magnesium wheels.
Key points:
■ S20 1,989cc inline six
■ 4 valves per cylinder
■ 3 Weber carburetors
■ 2 camshafts
■ 158 hp and 131 lb-ft of torque
■ Approximately 420 examples of the Z432 were produced
Diablo SE30
Another car that caught my eye was this 30th Anniversary Lamborghini Diablo, nestled among other perhaps too obvious poster cars, the Countach and F40. Growing up in the 90s, Diablo was always the most exotic in my eyes. Combine Marcello Gandini’s unusual styling with wild metallic purple and Special Edition tuning and you have the ultimate achievement.
Compared to the standard model, the SE30 gained more power thanks to a weight-saving treatment, partial magnesium intake manifolds, as well as a free-flowing exhaust, ride-adjustable sway bars and a massive two-speed (17×). 8.5-inch and 18×13-inch) magnesium rims manufactured by OZ Racing.
Key points:
■ Naturally aspirated 5,707cc V12
■ 10:1 compression ratio
■ 525 horsepower and 428 lb-ft of torque
■ 207 mph top speed
■ 150 SE30 examples were produced; 11 in this color for the US
Saleen S7R GT1
I finally zeroed in on this Saleen S7R GT1, chassis #031R. The first run of S7Rs was developed in the UK, but this example was one of the first two Evos to feature a revised chassis, suspension and aero features designed and built in-house at Saleen’s new California factory. ..
This chassis received a 7.0-liter version of Panoz/Elan Technologies’ LMP900 engine and raced in the American series before being sold to Europe, where it competed in the FIA’s newly reformed GT1 category. The first Saleen 031R to finish the 24 Hours of Le Mans was recently restored by Arts and Crafts of Luxembourg.
Key points:
■ 7.0 liter V8
■ 728 hp produced by Elan after rebuilding
■ 2nd place in 2005 ALMS GT1 Championship
■ 11th at the 2006 Le Mans 24 Hours
■ Won the Silverstone Tourist Cup
■ 2 examples produced with Elan 7.0L; 4 engines were produced
We’re just scratching the surface with these three, and you can expect a full gallery from The Quail in the coming days.
Trevor Ryan
Instagram: Trevornotrian
tyrphoto.com
