Jaguar XJR-15: Best in Show at Classic Motorsports Monterey Kickoff

Photography by J.A. Ackley

A Porsche coachworks prototype. A 1955 Chevy gasser. A one-of-three Jaguar. The 2023 Classic Motorsports Monterey Kickoff offered the unique, the beloved, and plenty of fun for attendees and participants alike.

The winning car was Matthew Ivanhoe’s 1991 Jaguar XJR-15, which he’s bought three times. Only three of the 28 cars built were painted in a color other than blue. He has two of those yellow machines. The royal family of Brunei owns the other one.

But that Jaguar was just the tip of the iceberg. Here are the rest of the winners from our annual event in Pacific Grove, California.

Classic Motorsports Monterey Kickoff Results

Pacific Grove, California
August 15, 2023

  • Best of Show: 1991 Jaguar XJR-15 of Matthew Ivanhoe (Classic Motorsports photo shoot and story)
  • Best Alfa: 1972 Alfa Romeo Montreal of John and Julie Tomlin (Alfa Romeo picnic basket from Centerline International)
  • Best Aston Martin: 1964 Aston Martin DB5 of Terry and Paul Carrubba ($150 Classic Motorsports gift certificate)
  • Best Audi: 2007 Audi RS4 of Karl-Heinz Lachnit ($150 Classic Motorsports gift certificate)
  • Best Austin-Healey: 1956 Austin-Healey 100M of Steve Cameron ($150 Moss Motors gift certificate)
  • Best BMW Pre-1977: 1967 BMW 1600 of Lisa Hong ($150 Classic Motorsports gift certificate)
  • Best BMW 1977 and Later: 1988 BMW M6 of Gregg Kellenberger ($150 Classic Motorsports gift certificate)
  • Best Corvette Pre-1984: 1970 Chevrolet Corvette of Ivan and Shauna Romano ($100 National Parts Depot gift certificate)
  • Best Corvette 1984 and Later: 2019 Chevrolet Corvette of Chuck Beckley ($150 Classic Motorsports gift certificate)
  • Best Ford: 1966 Ford Mustang of John Flanagan ($100 National Parts Depot gift certificate)
  • Best GM Other: 1955 Chevrolet Gasser “Orange Crate” of Kevin Moore ($150 Classic Motorsports gift certificate)
  • Best Italian: 1967 Alfa Romeo GT 1300 Junior of Steve Fields (Alfa Romeo backpack from Centerline International)
  • Best Jaguar Pre-1962: 1953 Jaguar XK120 of Sandor Kovacs ($150 Moss Motors gift certificate)
  • Best Jaguar 1962 and Later: 1963 Jaguar E-type of David Payne ($150 Classic Motorsports gift certificate)
  • Best Japanese: 1974 Datsun B210 of Ian Babcock ($150 Classic Motorsports gift certificate)
  • Best Mercedes-Benz: 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL of Hap Frank ($150 Classic Motorsports gift certificate)
  • Best MG: 1960 MG MGA of Andy and Marla Preston ($150 Moss Motors gift certificate presented by Snake River Classics)
  • Best Miata: 1991 Mazda Miata of James Hendley ($150 Moss Motors gift certificate)
  • Best Mini: 1967 Mini Cooper of Eric Newland ($150 Moss Motors gift certificate)
  • Best Other American: 1960 Imperial Crown of Bill and DJ Mitchell ($100 National Parts Depot gift certificate)
  • Best Other British: 1955 AC Aceca of John Thompson ($150 Classic Motorsports gift certificate)
  • Best Other European: 1973 Volvo 1800ES of Chuck and Rosetta Gutierrez (a half-day rental from Monterey Touring Vehicles)
  • Best Porsche Pre-1974: 1964 Porsche 356SC pf Eli Lester (Schwaben 26-piece stubby set from Pelican Parts)
  • Best Porsche 1974 and Later: 1988 Porsche 911 Carrera of Mark Robinson (Schwaben ¼-inch drive 46-piece set from Pelican Parts)
  • Best Triumph: 1964 Triumph Spitfire 4 of Barry Connally ($150 Moss Motors gift certificate)
  • Best Volkswagen: 1964 Volkswagen 13-Window Bus of Brent Cook ($150 Classic Motorsports gift certificate)
  • Best 1980s-1990s: 1998 Renault Sport Spider of John Alevras (gas certificate and 1980s-themed gift bag from Field Auto Works)
  • Best Car on Coker Tires: 1957 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce of Nick Smith ($250 Coker Tire gift certificate and Coker Tire bag)
  • Best Car From the Farthest Away: 1971 BMW 2002 of Geert Kistemaker from Netherlands ($500 Reliable Carriers gift certificate)
  • Best Finish: 1959 Marcel Roadster of Luc Deley (an assortment of Lithium cleaning products)
  • Best Local Car: 1994 Lotus Esprit Sport 300 of Rob Bernardino (The Monarch Pub & Restaurant gift certificate)
  • Best Manual Transmission: 1937 Cord 812 Phaeton of Kenneth Miselis ($150 Classic Motorsports gift certificate presented by Tremec)
  • Best Restoration: 1970 Pontiac Trans Am of Scott Steinhauer (Griot’s Garage car care kit)
  • Editor’s Choice: 1970 Porsche 914/6 of Mike Malamut
Join Free Join our community to easily find more Monterey, Monterey Car Week and Monterey Kickoff news.
More like this
Comments
Colin Wood
Colin Wood Associate Editor
8/16/23 11:11 a.m.

Congratulations to the winners and thank you to everyone who attended!

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
8/18/23 11:51 a.m.

Yes, very cool to watch our Monterey welcome party grow up over the (many) years. 

You'll need to log in to post.

Our Preferred Partners
l2tbrg7IbutTfKi8HBehiP9sU4qcusZsIveIndo78w6rvmkXX24FfB2rFeCGfmzK