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Caption: The Quail is one of the most exclusive and overall fanciest events on the American automotive calendar. Mathew Scott for WIRED

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Caption: The event is held every year at the Quail Lodge & Golf Club in Carmel. Mathew Scott for WIRED

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Caption: On an especially hot August day, parasols were out in force. Mathew Scott for WIRED

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Caption: Some braved the summer weather in suits. Mathew Scott for WIRED

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Caption: Others went with a style we call "country club excess." Mathew Scott for WIRED

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Caption: Or just suffered through it. Mathew Scott for WIRED

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Caption: Moving on ... Mathew Scott for WIRED

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Caption: Boutique automaker BAC brough along the Bumbys, anonymous performance artists who use a typewriter to explain "how each individual’s appearance is read by the world." Mathew Scott for WIRED

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Caption: Mostly, the Quail's about looking at cars, but exceptions can be made. Mathew Scott for WIRED

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Caption: Just take your loafers off first. Mathew Scott for WIRED

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Caption: Quail Hack: Use the complimentary magazines to keep your complimentary wine from spilling. Mathew Scott for WIRED

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Caption: Classes at this year's Quail included coachbuilt Ferraris, longtail cars of Le Mans, and post-war racing. Mathew Scott for WIRED

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Caption: The luggage compartment's as good a place as any to sit and take a photo. Mathew Scott for WIRED

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Caption: Golf carts were provided to shuttle some guests around the grounds of the show. Mathew Scott for WIRED

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Caption: And some beat the traffic by taking to the air. Mathew Scott for WIRED

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Caption: It's an event that draws big luxury brands as sponsors, including Rolex, Bentley, and Maserati. Mathew Scott for WIRED

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Caption: Nice shirt, but not quite on theme. Mathew Scott for WIRED

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Caption: This guy brought a parrot. Mathew Scott for WIRED

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Caption: Among the mostly European crowd of cars, these classic Fords stood out. Mathew Scott for WIRED

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Caption: There was plenty of free food and drink on hand, but a picnic basket's never a bad idea. Mathew Scott for WIRED

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Caption: Don't really know what's going on with this hood ornament, but it's awesome. Mathew Scott for WIRED

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Caption: Apart from the vintage car classes, there were displays from sponsoring brands, including Jaguar Land Rover and Infiniti. Mathew Scott for WIRED

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Caption: Don't forget crucial driving gear: leather gloves and goggles. Mathew Scott for WIRED

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Caption: It's a long day in the California sun, and there weren't a whole lot of shady spots to catch a break. Mathew Scott for WIRED

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Caption: But most of the people there seemed to be enjoying themselves. Mathew Scott for WIRED

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