The most decorated week of collectible automobile action anywhere got bigger this year, with three nascent events (Mecum, La Dolce Vita and Concours d’LeMons) ambitiously adding to car character caravan. Here’s a day-to-day look at what’s coming down the road, with multi-day events listed on the day of their biggest component. [MF]

THURSDAY 8-13

Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance

This annual convoy of automotive beauty (along 17-Mile Drive, down Highway 1, through Carmel) is a visual feast for driver and spectators. Veteran cars have their own abbreviated itinerary that ends at Carmel Mission. Log on for a map.

7-8am cars line up on Portola Road alongside Polo Fields, Pebble Beach; 8:30am departure; 10am veterans arrive at Carmel Mission; 12-2pm cars displayed on Ocean Avenue, Carmel. Free/spectator; invite-only to drive. 925-736-3444, www.pebblebeachconcours.net

RM Auction at Portola Hotel and Spa

Now in its 24th year, RM brings a calvalcade of cars of caliber, like the featured Nick Alexander Woodie Collection, one of the largest collections of classic cars in the world, including at least one of every Ford Woodie from 1932 to 1957. A full fleet of sports cars and classics further drive the Car Week staple event.

9am-10pm Thu preview; 9am-11pm Fri preview; 9am-11pm Sat preview; 7-10pm Thu auction; 6-11pm Fri auction; . Portola Plaza Hotel, 2 Portola Plaza, Monterey. Free/previews; $40/individual; $100/catalog. 602-252-2697.

Pebble Beach Auction presented by Gooding and Company

The car of innovator Ettore Bugatti rolls onto the stage in the big tent, site of the longest running auction of the now-10-day-long Car Week; so does a 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 that hasn’t been privy to the public for 20 years, and Mario Andretti’s rookie car, a 1964 Dean Van Lines Roadster. And there are scores more.

10am-6pm Thu preview; 9am-5pm Fri preview; 9am-4:30pm/Sat preview; 9am-5:30pm Sun preview; 5pm/Sat auction; 6pm/Sun auction. Pebble Beach Equestrian Center, Portola Road and Alva Lane, Pebble Beach. $40/individual; $100/catalogue, admits 2. 624-2756.

FRIDAY 8-14

Concorso Italiano at Laguna Seca

Lamborghinis, the devilshly low riding creatures of the road, are the featured make of this year’s Concorso; a fresh-off the line Gallardo LP550-2 Valentino Balboni (named in honor of the company’s former chief test driver) anchors a look at Lambos through the years (Balboni himself will drive it into the event). Meanwhile, a flock of Bertone B.A.T.s join the party, mixing together with lots of live music, food, fashion, and festive drinks as the party goes full throttle.

9:30am-5pm. Laguna Seca Golf Course, 10520 York Road, Salinas. $100/person; free/child (12 and under). 373-3701, www.concorso.com

Russo and Steele Sports and Muscle at the Marriott

Albert Einstein once said, “Any man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the kiss the attention it deserves.” Russo and Steele-style cars and pretty girls go hand in hand: The line-up includes a 1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 Proto-type and a 1969 Ford Mustang GT 428 Drag Pac 4:30.

10am-3pm Thu preview; 10am-5pm Fri preview; 5-11pm Fri auction; 10am-5pm Sat preview; 5-11pm Sat auction. Marriott Hotel, 350 Calle Principal, Monterey. Free/previews; $100/bidder; $75/VIP guest; $50/guest. 602-252-2697, www.russoandsteele.com

The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering at the Quail Lodge

Good luck crashing this car party. The 3,000 spots to this all-out-inclusive VIP lawn party – which celebrates Daytona Speedway’s 50th Anniversary – sold out long ago, as it has for several years. (There’s always next year.)

10am-4pm. Quail Lodge Resort and Golf Club, 8205 Valley Greens Drive, Carmel Valley. Sold out. 620-8820, www.quaillodgeevents.com

Bonhams and Butterfields Auction

Supercharged and super star items are on the auction block at this year’s B&B. Baseball Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson, now a retired Carmel resident, is auctioning off three high performance muscle cars, including a special edition 1965 Pontiac GTO, one of only 100 ever built. All cars are on display today for free and anyone is welcome across the grass from the sold-out Quail.

10am-4pm Thu preview; 10am-noon Fri automobilia auction; noon-1pm Fri jewelry and watches auction; 1pm Fri car auction. Quail Lodge, Carmel Valley. Free/Thu preview; sold out/Fri auction. 624-2888, www.bonhams.com/us

BMW CCA West Coast Concours at Rancho Cañada Golf Course

Only Beamers are allowed at this free event, which includes an Ultimate Clean-Car Contest and encourages picnicking. Anyone can register their car, as long as its a you know what.

7am registration; 7-10:30am cars placed on field; 9-11am guest speakers; 10:30-noon judging; noon-1pm luncheon;1:30-2pm awards ceremony; 2-4pm car viewing. Rancho Cañada Golf Course, 4860 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel. Free; $50/car. 800-536-9459, www.cccbmwcca/org

La Dolce Vita Automobili at Black Horse

Fellini would be proud of this inaugural event. Cars enrich an overall experience buoyed by the music of Blue Fin and eye-catching artwork. Part of the ticket sales will go to Shriners Hospitals for Children; a silent auction raises funds for a automotive design scholarship.

9:30am-5pm. Black Horse Golf Course, 1 McClure Way, Seaside. $70/person (admits adult and youth 18 and under). 425-941-9490, www.montereybayconcours.com

15th Annual Pacific Grove Concours Auto Rally

Since 1995, the P.G. Auto Rally has raised over $105,000 for youth programs throughout the county. Pacific Grove Youth Action, which puts on the event, rewards donors help with drive followed by a barbecue dinner at Chataqua Hall.

1pm registration; 1-5:30pm car staging; 5:30pm raffle; 6pm rally; 7pm dinner; 8pm awards, raffle, and auction. Pacific Grove. Free/spectators; $90/drive only; $105/drive and dinner. 372-6585. www.pgautorally.org

SATURDAY 8-15

36th Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races at Mazda Raceway

Hearts will really thump today and tomorrow as racing legends Brian Redman (the British 1970s world champion) and fellow Brit Sir Stirling Moss share the speedway with 400 vintage cars and multitudes of attendees. Yes, 400. Laguna remains one of the most popular events of the weekend for a reason.

7am-5pm Fri registration; 8am-5pm Sat-Sun. Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, 1021 Monterey-Salinas Highway. Salinas. 242-8201 or 1-800-327-SECA. $50/Fri and Sun advance. $60/Fri and Sat day of; $65/Sat advance; $75/Sat day of; $95/advance 2-day; $125/advance 3-day; $115/day of 2-day; $145/day of 3-day; free/child (12 and under). www.montereyhistoric.com

Mecum Auction at Hyatt

This is the auction house’s first go at Car Week, and they’re pulling out all the stops. Though they specialize in American muscle and hot rods, this event will be a little heavier on European style. The free preview goes on until the gavel hits the podium Saturday morning. Jewelry and race paraphernalia also sells.

12pm-5pm Thu preview; 9am Fri preview; 10am Sat auction. Hyatt Regency Hotel, 1 Old Golf Course Road, Monterey. Free; 372-1234, www.mecum.com

Concours d’LeMons at Toro Park

Classy, this ain’t. Hilarious? Certainly. Pintos, Gremlins, Pacers, the nation’s oldest Toyotas, and every other awful entrant that calls itself a car will compete for such illustrious prizes as the Leakiest Brit Pile, Wretched Rejects, and Crappiest Car from a Communist Country, offering a light hearted reprieve from the more esteemed events.

9am-4pm. Toro Park, Highway 68, Salinas. $20/person. (916) 207-4645. www.concoursdlemons.com

Khaki’s Annual Ferrari Event

Clinking glasses, munching mouths, and the enthusiastic chatter mix with live jazz, all sprinkled among fine Ferraris and other Italian marques. Proceeds go to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the Carmel Youth Center.

4:30-7pm. Barnyard Shopping Village, 3618 The Barnyard, Carmel. $25/pre-sale; $40/day of. 624-8886, www.khakisofcarmel.com/events

SUNDAY 8-16

Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance at The Lodge

Between the feathery hats and the summer suits, the baron mustaches and coiffed pets, the people watching make Car Week’s longtime linchpin worth attending. But so do the mystifying concept cars on the putting greens, the theatrics of the judging in front of the Lodge, the rolling auto history in all its perfectly polished incarnations, the unequaled setting and the new-this-year Automotive Fine Arts Society special exhibition. Fortunately, though, at the Grand-daddy of them, the guests get it all.

10:30am show opens; 1:30-4:30pm award presentation. The Lodge, 1700 17-Mile Drive, Pebble Beach. $150/advance; $175/day of. 622-1700, www.pebblebeachconcours.net