The pristine, rusted and oddballs all come out to the Concours d’Lemons in Seaside during Monterey Car Week. Considered the ‘anti-elegance’ of the collector car world many of the entrants are laughed at, looked down upon, or long forgotten.
However, for some show entrants, these vehicles are well-loved, one-owner cars, personal art projects, or just a way to get around and that suits them just fine. In some cases, the more bizarre the car the better as was the case with ‘Sauerkraut’, a fake horse complete with a saddle for the driver atop a VW-powered contraption, who won ‘Worst in Show’.
The show is sponsored by Hagerty and judged by celebrity Wayne Carini from the television show Chasing Classic Cars.
Images are courtesy of Sports Car Digest photojournalist Kristina Cilia.
2021 Concours d’Lemons Photo Gallery
1970 Subaru van
1967 Toyota Sports 800
Rusted misfit at the Concours d’Lemons
Hyundai Elantra made into a Kim Jong Un shrine
Hyundai Elantra ala Kim Jong Un shrine
1960 Morris Minor 1000 convertible
Outfit choices are just as important as the vehicle you came in
French ambiance
1980’s misfit complete with boombox
1969 Triumph TR-6
British Lemons lineup
Lotus Europa
Bryan wearing a customized shirt of himself driving his Cosworth Vega
Bryan details his 1976 Vega Cosworth
1995 Plymouth Neon Roadster
1975 Pedal car – aka ‘people powered vehicle’
1960 Studebaker Champ truck
1977 AMC Pacer Wagon
No washing or detailing necessary when entering the Concours d’Lemons as is the case with this VW van covered in mosquitos
1977 AMC Pacer Wagon with wood paneling
1950 Studebaker Bullet
1975 Bricklin SV1
Chrysler LeBaron convertible
A gas grill attached to the side of this Chevy truck because why not?
1971 GMC Stoner Ambulance
Pristine, rusted and oddballs show up to the Concours d’Lemons
1982 Mercury Lynx
Wearing a lemon shirt, Mario poses in front of his 1982 Mercury Lynx that he has owned since new
Celebrity judge, Wayne Carini, makes the rounds to find the car deemed ‘Worst in Show’
1961 Mercury Comet
Patina held together by duct tape on this 1961 Mercury Comet
Wayne Carini accepts a hand built model from a show attendee
1933 Ford Roadster complete with the RCA dog
1968 Riley Elf
1968 Riley Elf
1955 MG
The passenger of a 1955 Ford T-bird gives a kiss to a passerby
‘Sauerkraut’ – a 1955 VW contraption
Bribe for the judges
Mini Cooper hippie art car
1973 KV Mini SE
1973 KV Mini SE
The driver of this 1955 Ford Thunderbird doesn’t understand what all the curiosity is about
