Retro Style Takes Center Stage at Monterey Car Week

The automotive industry is known for its emphasis on innovation and cutting-edge technology, but at Monterey Car Week 2026, it was the retro-style cars that stole the show. Alongside the unveiling of futuristic models like Jaguar's electric Type 01, car manufacturers like Eccentrica, Porsche, and Hennessey showcased their take on classic designs, complete with manual transmissions and powerful engines.

## A Throwback to the Past The event saw a plethora of cars that paid homage to the past, with V12 engines and manual transmissions making a comeback. These features, which were once commonplace, have become increasingly rare in modern cars due to emission regulations and the desire for ease of use. However, at Monterey Car Week, they were celebrated as a key part of the driving experience.

Some of the notable cars on display included the Aston Martin Valen, the company's most powerful front-engined car ever, and the Porsche Flachbau RS, a road-legal GT2 RS inspired by the 935 Moby Dick. Hennessey's Blackbird, which pairs a naturally aspirated V8 with a six-speed manual gearbox, was another standout model.

## Modern Takes on Classic Designs Several car manufacturers also showcased their modern take on classic designs. Louis Vuitton, for example, debuted two bespoke Porsche 911 restorations that had been remastered with Singer to include custom leather, luggage, and removable mechanical dashboard clocks. These cars represented a contemporary reclamation of an all-time automotive classic, updated to meet the sensibilities of the present.

Other notable models included the McLaren McL 6GT, the company's first manual road car since the F1, and the Spyker C8 Preliator XXV, which boasts 800hp. RUF's EHRA, a 650bhp all-wheel-drive model with a seven-speed manual, was also on display.

## The Future of Cars While retro-style cars were a major focus of the event, Monterey Car Week also showcased the future of the automotive industry. Jaguar's electric Type 01, which features a four-seat interior and minimalist controls, was a notable example of this. The car's design is centered around a central spine, with technology that is designed to stay hidden until needed.

The following cars were showcased at Monterey Car Week, highlighting the mix of futuristic and retro-style models: | Car Model | Engine | Transmission | Notable Features | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Aston Martin Valen | V12 | Manual | Most powerful front-engined car ever | | Porsche Flachbau RS | V12 | Manual | Road-legal GT2 RS inspired by the 935 Moby Dick | | Hennessey Blackbird | V8 | Six-speed manual | Naturally aspirated engine | | McLaren McL 6GT | V8 | Manual | First manual road car since the F1 | | Spyker C8 Preliator XXV | V8 | Manual | 800hp | | RUF EHRA | V8 | Seven-speed manual | 650bhp all-wheel-drive | | Jaguar Type 01 | Electric | Automatic | Four-seat interior, minimalist controls |