Carmel-by-the-Sea Concours for a Cause
Monterey Car Week

August 12, 2025

Concours for a Cause returned to downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, closing Ocean Avenue for a free, public showcase from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. The format blends classic-car displays with local food, art, and community programming. This year, organizers expanded the field to around 250 cars, filling multiple blocks. The event benefits a slate of local nonprofits and added new features for 2025, including a race-car showcase and a Japan-themed section—part street festival, part rolling history lesson. Crowds flowed between displays all afternoon, with Ocean Avenue reading more like a curated promenade than a traffic corridor.
This was my first time at Concours for a Cause, and I only had a short window—but I’m glad I made it. I started with early-era machinery: a 1912 REO the Fifth set the tone, followed by a Model T, a 1914 Cadillac Model 30, a Model A, and a 1903 Clément—brass, wood, and coachwork that read like a time capsule along Ocean Avenue. The next block, the pace changed: a Shelby Cobra Jet with a 427, then a run of five Mustang GT350s in one sweep—more than I’ve ever seen together. (I’ve got a soft spot for that era; my first car was a ’67 Mustang I bought from my dad.) I finished with a tidy Corvette C1; never been a Chevy guy, but if I owned one, it would be this. Short visit, long list—next year I’ll block more time.
Concours for a Cause effectively revives Carmel’s Tuesday street concours tradition downtown, channeling it toward local philanthropy. The city once hosted Concours on the Avenue each Car Week; after founder Doug Freedman passed away, that event went quiet, leaving a gap on the Tuesday calendar. Concours for a Cause steps into that space with a philanthropic brief—raising funds for local organizations such as the Carmel Foundation, Rancho Cielo, Salinas Surf Club, and the Sunset Center—while keeping the free, walkable, Ocean Avenue format. It’s a civic-minded reboot: same streets, renewed mission, and a showcase that puts community and cars in the same frame.

Carmel-by-the-Sea Concours for a Cause 2025 — A vintage, bright red REO touring car with red spoked wheels is parked on a street in a quaint village. The car, with its black convertible top folded down, is displayed in front of rustic storefronts, in

Carmel-by-the-Sea Concours for a Cause 2025 — A black 1915 Ford Model T Touring car is parked on a street during a daytime event, with spectators gathered nearby. The vehicle features a prominent brass radiator shell and headlamps, black wooden-spoke

Carmel-by-the-Sea Concours for a Cause 2025 — A front three-quarter view of a vintage 1915 Locomobile touring car, finished in maroon with black fenders, a brass radiator grille, and red wooden-spoke wheels. The car is parked on a town street, likely

Carmel-by-the-Sea Concours for a Cause 2025 — A vintage Ford Model A Sport Coupe, circa 1930, is parked on a street during a car show. The car is painted in a period-correct light green with black fenders, a tan soft top, and yellow wire-spoke wheels

Carmel-by-the-Sea Concours for a Cause 2025 — A front three-quarter view of a vintage Cadillac Model Thirty Touring car parked on a street. The car features a dark, possibly black or deep maroon, body with a red chassis and red wooden-spoke wheels wi

Carmel-by-the-Sea Concours for a Cause 2025 — A vibrant blue Shelby Cobra 427 roadster is parked on a city street with its hood open, as two men look into the engine bay. The car features Halibrand-style pin-drive wheels, wide Avon tires, and promine

Carmel-by-the-Sea Concours for a Cause 2025 — A close-up shot of the side fender of a classic Shelby 427 Cobra, finished in a vibrant metallic blue. The image focuses on the '427 FORD COBRA' emblem located just above a louvered side vent. The glossy

Carmel-by-the-Sea Concours for a Cause 2025 — A detailed high-angle view into the engine bay of a classic Shelby Cobra, finished in a vibrant blue with a white racing stripe. The V8 engine is prominently displayed, featuring finned 'COBRA' valve cove

Carmel-by-the-Sea Concours for a Cause 2025 — A close-up view into the cockpit of a classic royal blue Shelby Cobra roadster at an outdoor car show. The focus is on the wood-rimmed, three-spoke steering wheel and the black dashboard filled with analo

Carmel-by-the-Sea Concours for a Cause 2025 — A low-angle rear view of a classic Shelby Cobra roadster, finished in a vibrant blue with wide silver racing stripes. The car is parked on an asphalt street with its trunk lid open, revealing a chrome rol

Carmel-by-the-Sea Concours for a Cause 2025 — A dark blue 1968 Shelby G.T. 350 fastback is parked on a town street with its hood open, attracting a crowd of onlookers at a car show. The car features white Le Mans stripes over the top, white rocker pa

Carmel-by-the-Sea Concours for a Cause 2025 — A rear view of a classic 1967 Shelby G.T. 350 fastback, presented in a deep blue finish with prominent white 'Le Mans' racing stripes. The car is parked on an asphalt street at a car show, with its trunk

Carmel-by-the-Sea Concours for a Cause 2025 — A detailed high-angle view into the engine bay of a classic Ford Mustang, showcasing a modified V8 engine. A large, circular chrome air cleaner sits atop a Demon carburetor, surrounded by a clean, black-p

Carmel-by-the-Sea Concours for a Cause 2025 — A low-angle, head-on shot of a 1965 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R tribute parked on a city street. The car is finished in Wimbledon White with blue Le Mans stripes, featuring hood pins, a mesh grille with a

Carmel-by-the-Sea Concours for a Cause 2025 — A classic 1966 Shelby G.T. 350 in Wimbledon White with blue 'G.T. 350' rocker stripes is parked on a town street. The fastback is modified for performance with a roll cage visible inside, side-exit exhaus

Carmel-by-the-Sea Concours for a Cause 2025 — A low-angle, front three-quarters view of a 1966 Shelby GT350H Mustang, finished in Wimbledon White with gold Le Mans stripes. The car is parked on a street during an outdoor car show, with other classic