Photos by Bob Golfen
Concorso Italiano is an unabashed celebration of Italian motoring and culture during Monterey Classic Car Week. The sweeping display included more than 800 great vintage and modern Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Alfa Romeos, Fiats, Lancias, DeTomasos, Bizzarrinis, racing specials, scooters and unique concepts from the great design houses of Italy.
And one very-special tractor, an early 1950s farm implement built by Lamborghini before the company added exotic sports cars to its lineup.
Another Lamborghini, a 1966 400 GT, was proclaimed Best of Show among all the Italian finery at Concorso’s 29th annual extravaganza, considered to be the largest gathering of Italian cars in the world.
Concorso has had its ups and downs over the years, but the show is back in form once again because of two major changes: something old and something new. The event is back to its lovely old location at Black Horse Golf Course in Seaside, California, with the rolling, tree-lined landscape adding to the ambiance. And for the first time, Concorso took place on a Saturday, mitigating competition from the many other classic car events that now happen on Friday, which had been the customary day for the all-Italian showcase.
An estimated 6,000 Italian car enthusiasts were on hand to view everything from the huge contingent of late-model Ferraris and Lamborghinis to the many vintage beauties that flavored Concorso with a stylish flair.
Special features for Concorso included celebrating the 100th anniversary of Maserati and the 60th anniversary of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, and a special exhibition of design by Zagato Atelier of Milan, now in its 95th year. The Zagato display included a grouping of Zagato Atelier Contemporary Collectibles, eight modern concepts that were shown together for the first time ever.
