There’s been a shift on the automobilia side of Monterey Car Week schedule. Organizers behind the event known as Automobilia Monterey that typically began the main car week schedule decided to step away from the space, which created an opportunity for a new team to take up the baton. Now, under the new name of Automobilia Collectors Expo, the event has a new beginning.
For 2024, a new beginning probably just means a carrying on. Strolling through the usual meeting hall at the Embassy Suites Monterey Bay in Seaside, CA, you’d be forgiven for thinking nothing’s changed. Most of the same vendors seen in previous years are there, offering the expected curated and diverse mix of automotibilia rarities. There are the posters, the model cars, the rare literature, rally clocks, car parts and more… including books.
While passing Horton Books, a well-known book seller who typically anchors one corner of the event with their gargantuan collection of books, we ran into owner Ben Horton. Ben isn’t just a regular vendor though. Now, as one of the people who’s picked up that baton, he’s also one of the owners and operators of the event.
Ben shared that this year was about carryover. The change had happened late enough where a strategy of keeping the event reliably consistent made the most sense. However, as any fresh team would, they also are heavily into the ideation process of how to make the event even more can’t-miss than it has been in the past. We wish him all the best in that endeavor.
As for Audi brand merch specifically, there was an interesting mix. Scale models from the likes of Model Citizen are always a favorite. More unexpected were some rare vintage Audi Sport rally posters we hadn’t seen before. Other staples like books, driving gloves, rally lights and more will definitely caught the eye and tempted a purchase.
Should you head to Monterey Car Week, early-in-the-week arrival is always a solid strategy that’s made even more special should you plan a visit to Automobilia Collectors Expo. So far as we know, it will take up the same Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday ahead of the main events in the Monterey Car Week schedule.
More Information: Automobilia Collectors Expo
