Motorlux 2026 Opens Monterey Car Week with Cars, Aircraft and Culinary Experiences
By Mr. Car Week
I was back at the Monterey Jet Center on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, as Motorlux returned with a curated collection of automobiles and aircraft alongside culinary and beverage experiences for one of Monterey Car Week's signature opening celebrations. This year's gathering drew a large crowd, continuing Motorlux's longstanding presence during the opening days of Car Week.
Set against the distinctive backdrop of the Monterey Jet Center, Motorlux combines automotive and aviation displays with food, wine, cocktails and hospitality in an evening format that has become a familiar part of Monterey Car Week.
For 2026, the event centered its automotive presentation around six curated collections, each highlighting a different chapter of motoring history, design and culture.
Six Curated Automotive Collections
Le Pur-Sang des Automobiles celebrated the vehicles of Ettore Bugatti and the marque's connection to French racing heritage, engineering and craftsmanship.
The Coventry Collection focused on British motoring heritage while celebrating 65 years of the Jaguar E-Type, one of Britain's most recognizable sports cars.
Italy was represented through Dodici, a collection dedicated to the Italian V12 and automobiles that have helped make the twelve-cylinder engine an enduring part of Italian performance-car history.
Chasing Cherry Blossoms turned the spotlight toward Japanese automotive and motorcycle design, bringing together classics on both two and four wheels.
For motorsport enthusiasts, Rally Madness celebrated rally competition with an emphasis on the legendary Group B era and the road-going automobiles connected to it.
Completing the six collections was Privé One, dedicated to one-off automobiles, bespoke supercars, special commissions, unique specifications and coachbuilt creations.
Together, the collections gave the 2026 edition of Motorlux an international perspective, spanning historic racing, grand touring, rally competition, motorcycles and contemporary bespoke automotive design.
Where Automotive and Aviation Meet
Aircraft remain an integral part of Motorlux and help give the event an identity unlike the traditional concours and automotive gatherings taking place throughout the Monterey Peninsula during Car Week.
With automobiles and aircraft sharing the Monterey Jet Center tarmac, the setting creates a natural connection between automotive and aviation design. Warbirds, private jets and luxury helicopters were among the aircraft on display alongside the evening's automotive collections.
From historic automobiles and motorcycles to modern performance cars and aircraft, the combination of machines from both worlds remains central to the Motorlux experience.
Culinary Experiences Take Center Stage
Food and beverages were once again an important part of the Motorlux experience.
For 2026, Motorlux incorporated culinary influences that complemented several of its featured automotive collections, including French, British, Italian and Japanese themes.
Participating restaurants, chefs, wineries and beverage partners were positioned throughout the event, allowing guests to explore the culinary offerings while moving among the automobiles and aircraft.
The evening also saw the return of one of Motorlux's more recognizable culinary traditions — the Wall O' Bacon.
The result was an evening built around more than the vehicles themselves, combining automotive culture with aviation, cuisine and hospitality in one setting.
A New VIP Experience
For the first time in 2026, Motorlux introduced the VIP Cabana experience, with private spaces overlooking the runway and positioned near the dance floor.
I had an opportunity to spend some time in one of the cabanas during the evening, and it was a standout addition — offering a great vantage point over the event along with another level of hospitality. It's an experience I'd be happy to see return in 2027.
Motorlux Returns in 2027
Motorlux is scheduled to return to the Monterey Jet Center on Wednesday, August 11, 2027.
Until then, take a look back at Motorlux 2026 through my video and photo coverage from the evening.
Motorlux 2026 Video
Motorlux 2026 Photo Gallery
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