Every August, classic-car lovers flock to Monterey Car Week hoping to catch a glimpse of some of the beautiful, historically significant metal on display in the Californian sun. Alongside the classics, though, manufacturers will often try and draw some attention to their modern offerings with crazy concepts and beautiful one-off creations. Check out some of the best in our gallery.
BMW 2002 Hommage
Few brands do retro-throwback cars as well as BMW. With a rich back catalogue to choose from, the auto giant has its Hommage series down to a fine art. The latest car to be recognized is the 2002, arguably the most significant car in the brand's modern history.
The original 2002 is a legendary car, and not just because of its elegant good looks. Think of a modern BMW, perhaps with the exception of the 2 Series Active Tourer, and it draws on the 2002 for inspiration. With a chuckable chassis, it set the precedent for a generation of Ultimate Driving Machines designed with driver fun as a priority.
This particular concept pays tribute to the 2002 Turbo, which lays claim to being the first series-produced car in Europe to make use of a turbocharged engine. To make that link clear, the bulbous wheel arches and carbon-fiber trimmings are finished off in an orange and black Jagermeister livery.
Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6
In a world dominated by downsizing, the Mercedes-Maybach proves bigger is sometimes better. In an attempt to evoke a sense of olde-world grandeur, the designers at Mercedes have drawn their inspiration from old fashioned aero coupes. Measuring up at six meters long, there's certainly no missing it.
Although its exterior looks to the past, the car's underpinnings are thoroughly modern. Instead of stuffing a big V12 under the bonnet, Mercedes has packed the floor full of batteries for an all-electric range of more than 500 km (200 miles under EPA testing). Not surprisingly, acceleration hasn't suffered because of the EV switch, either, with Mercedes claiming a 100 km/h (62 mph) sprint of just 3.7 seconds.
Acura Precision Concept
Acura is best known for slightly more luxurious Honda Accords, but this year's Detroit Auto Show proved it has bigger aims. Look past the standard over-the-top concept car features, and the Precision Concept will shape the next generation of cars that will take it up to Infiniti and Lexus.
Predictably for an Acura, the main attraction in the car's beaky nose. It's a part of the new "Precision Crafted Performance" ethos, which has also informed the slammed roofline and big wheels. It looked good under lights in Detroit, it looks great sitting in the Monterey sun alongside a pair of NSXs.
It doesn't stop there - the manicured lawns of Monterey were loaded with showstoppers like the Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo, Lamborghini Centenario Roadster, Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato and Cadillac Escala.
Check out our Monterey 2016 concept car photo gallery to see all the best and brightest metal.
