For 2024, Motorlux Was Larger, Louder, and Radder Than Ever
Larger, louder, and serving more bacon than ever before, the 2024 edition of Motorlux was a party to remember.
Originally known as McCall’s Motorworks Revival, until bought and reimagined by Hagerty in 2022, Motorlux kicks off Monterey Car Week, the annual celebration of all things automotive that culminates in the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, held on Sunday. This year, more than 4100 guests flocked to the Monterey Jet Center on Wednesday evening, including the hundreds attending the first night of the two-day auction hosted by Broad Arrow in one of the hangars. Motorlux is a place to see and be seen—and, most importantly, to enjoy a great party in the presence of great cars.
And, of course, jets! A total of 14 aircraft were arranged across the tarmac, festively lit by strategically placed purple and aqua lights. Some were for sale, and several were available for tours. In addition to the aircraft, there was a wonderful variety of four-wheeled vehicles. Alongside the 170 cars available through Broad Arrow Auctions that night and the next day, 75 show cars strutted their stuff across the tarmac. All manner of automotive culture was celebrated, from the lowrider by the Gin & Juice tent to a ’90s Ferrari by the Hennessey tent to a vintage Bronco and a variety of race cars, for on- and off-road competition.
Guests were wise to come hungry: 25 food and wine vendors stood on the grounds of Motorlux, which occupied a larger footprint at the Jet Center than ever before. Everyone loves an open bar, but special attention this year is due to the bacon wall, where guests could select a generous slab of bacon to nibble on as they sipped their beverages.
The entertainment was top-notch: A DJ worked in concert with a drummer and an electric violinist who could play upside down with the help of a special hoop mounted on a pole.
One of the biggest changes from 2023 was the relocation of the Radwood display. For 2024, the coolest cars of the 1980s and ’90s enjoyed a hangar all to themselves, graced with silver globes and lit with the neon colors appropriate to their era.
Hagerty’s 40th anniversary lent an especially festive air to Motorlux. More than 40 lots were on offer from Broad Arrow’s impressive auction catalog on Wednesday night, and each and every one of the 4000-plus guests enjoyed VIP access, regardless of which ticket package they purchased.
The craftsmanship of the aircraft and automobiles was complemented by the artistry of Anna-Louise Felstead, a painter and self-described motoring enthusiast who painted a live portrait of one of Broad Arrow’s most anticipated offerings—this Porsche 911 GT1. The canvas was giant, measuring 50 x 100 inches, and the result was stunning.
Monterey Car Week is still in full swing on the beautiful coast of California—and the 2024 edition of Motorlux was a perfect beginning.
