Filed under: Motorsports, Time Warp, Euro, Lamborghini, Maserati, Misc. Auto Shows, Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, FIAT, Lifestyle
Monterey 2008: Concorso Italiano takes flight
Click image above for high-res gallery from Concorso Italiano 2008
The festivities continue around the Monterey Peninsula. We've already shown you pics from Gordon McCall's party and from the Pebble Beach Tour d'Elegance, but today's coverage picks up an Italian accent. The Concorso Italiano is one of the largest annual gatherings of all things Italian, be it music, cuisine, fashion, tourism, and of course cars. Previously held at the nearby Bayonet Black Horse Golf Course in Monterey Bay, this year's gathering took place at the Marina municipal airstrip. Just like the past 20-something years, this year's Concorso brought out some stunning examples of Italy's finest, cars designed with passione and intended to be driven con brio. And just like in previous years, a few non-Italian cars that bring that same driving thrill were invited in for the party.
While the tarmac didn't offer the same soft picnic grove as the golf course, the organizers tried their best to make up for it with plenty of shady tents to visit filled with vendors, food and fun. Concorso has always been more laid back than some of the other judged events during the week, and even with the slightly more rigid airport setting there was still a feeling that you were at more of a car club meet than a genuine concours. Check out the gallery by clicking one of the images here and you'll hopefully see what we mean. The usual Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Maseratis, and Alfas were joined by a bunch of Lancias, DeTomasos, Fiats, and a smattering of "others" that included German, Japanese, American, and British cars. Our favorite stop was the supercar lineup that featured two MC12s, two Veyrons, an Enzo and an F50. We even spotted Valentino Balboni, Adam Corolla and Jay Leno while we were there. Click away and enjoy.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
easyrider425 7:37AM (8/16/2008)
Lets see, Enzo, Veyron, Veyron, F50, MC12, Mini Semi, Lambo... wait a minute...
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Rick 10:23AM (8/16/2008)
Quite right. Holding it on an airstrip is cheap. I was there in 1999 for FIATs 100 anniversary, when it was still held at the Quail Lodge. The grounds were incredible. Perfect grass and scenery, which looked great in photographs. Women were decked out in hats and dresses, people walked around sipping champagne. You could tell it was a classy affair. This is a swap meet atmosphere.
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Ian B. 10:25AM (8/16/2008)
Over a $100 a ticket for an asphalt event? What happened to the country club atmosphere and the free food? I'll never go again.
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Carl 12:32PM (8/16/2008)
A parking lot?! Looks like a Hershey swap meet to me... with Veyrons.
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RLQ 5:18PM (8/16/2008)
Keep up w/ the good work Frank.
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mike 11:40PM (8/17/2008)
Have to agree with the others, this year's Concorso had all the flair of a swap meet - think upscale Pomona. Not to mention the outrageous entry fees, very poorly planned food/refreshment stands, and a seriously confused awards announcer. Although the event organisers tried to give things a positive spin - "look, we got planes this year" - the crowd wasn't buying it. I'm hoping the Ferrari, Maserati and Lamborghini owner's clubs will see it the same way (they would be blind not to) and hopefully have some pull to get this event back to the environment where it belongs. This was my last Concorso.
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Peter Magraith 4:41AM (9/07/2008)
This is the fith time in 15 years that I have attended from Australia. The event was worthwhile but the venue was not a patch on the rolling greens of a golf course. One of your problems is the wind. It's ment to be windy at an airport and it was. We had VIP tickets, but they did not protect us from a"bunfight" for food.
So smaller could be better and for US$150 I expected better catering.
I gues you had to give it a try, but for us, you did not succeed.
Next time keep the BMWs Rollers and Mercs some where else. vive Italiana.
Bring back the golf course style venue
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