It was a good year for Car Week's events, vehicles, people and publications, at least judging by the list of finalists for the 2026 International Historic Motoring Awards.
Among those on the short list are Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in the Motoring Event of the Year category and Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion for Motorsports Event of the Year.
The Reunion earned that title in 2025, while Concours d’Elegance last won in 2024.
Heroes of the Forest: The Complete History of the Pebble Beach Road Race by automotive historian and collector Mark Brinker is a finalist for Motoring Book of the Year. Brinker’s work covers four volumes and 1,750 pages and is already considered the most comprehensive account of the groundbreaking event that ran from 1950 through 1956.
Three cars shown on the 18th fairway during this year’s Concours are under consideration for Restoration of the Year. A 1935 Duesenberg Special Speedster SSJ once owned by Clark Gable earned Best of Show in August, while a 1954 Ferrari 375 America Vignale Cabriolet took Best in Class honors. The Sunbeam 1000hp that in 1927 became the first car to top 200 miles per hour was on display at the event.
In the Bespoke Car of the Year category are three models unveiled during Car Week 2026. The Gordon Murray Special Vehicles S1 and the Spyker C8 Preliator XXV were featured at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering while McLaren revealed its McL 6GT at a private event.
Finally, Carmel Valley resident Rob Manson, who is a key figure in preserving road racing cars that ran at Pebble Beach in the 1950s, is up for Personal Achievement of the Year. Another contender for the honor is Manvendra Singh, who was instrumental in Concours d’Elegance’s Automobiles of Royal India class.
Winners will be announced during the International Historic Motoring Awards ceremony in London on Nov. 13.