Concorso Italiano

2019 Best of Show, 1960 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet

35th Concorso Italiano is August 14 in Seaside, California

written by David M. Brown

The 100th anniversary of the Lancia Lambda and the 50th anniversaries of the DeTomaso Pantera, Maserati Bora and Lamborghini Countach will be celebrated during the 35th Concorso Italiano, Saturday, August 14, 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m., at the Bayonet Blackhorse Golf Course, 1 McClure Way, in Seaside, California. CI Club members are admitted at 8:30 a.m.

Approximately 4,000 attendees are expected to enjoy 800 cars and motorcycles of Italian origin at the event –– the world’s largest celebration of Italian car design and performance. “We focus on the cars, conversations between people who love and appreciate them and elements of that special essence known as ‘Italian Style’ including food, music and art,” says Tom McDowell, chairman for the Mercer Island-Washington-based event.

Earlier that week, Wednesday, August 11, is the Connect2Cars, with an 8 a.m. breakfast at the Bayonet Black Horse clubhouse, featuring a “morning show”-type interview of industry figures. These include Wade Kawasaki of Legendary Companies/Coker Tires and recent SEMA Board member and Superformance owner Lance Stander.

A scenic Monterey County drive follows, ending at a select winery for wine tasting and a lunch hosted by Solare Hemp. Registration for Connect2Cars is limited.

Connect2Cars benefits Wings of Humanity, which provides underprivileged children no-cost medical air transportation services when needing specialty treatments at premier children’s hospitals and specialist facilities. Wings of Humanity is holding its inaugural charity golf tournament at the Black Horse course, on Tuesday, August 10. The four-person scramble starts with breakfast at 8 a.m., 9 a.m. shotgun start, hosted beverage cart and an awards lunch. Sink a hole in one on the par-3 #17 and you win a golf trip to legendary St. Andrews in Scotland. All greens fees are tax deductible. Sponsorships are also available.

Ten marques are individually judged at the Concorso: Alfa, DeTomaso, Ferrari, Fiat/Abarth, Lancia, Iso/Bizzarrini, Lamborghini, Maserati, Motorcycles & Special Coachworks (Italian Designed Vehicles). Other classics regularly shown include Apollo, Bandini, Bertone, Cisitalia, Ghia, Moreti, Pagani, Ducati and Moto Guzzi.

The judges select 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in each marque; the 1st-place winners are eligible for Best of Show. The 2019 winner was the 1960 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet owned by Ron Corradini from Newport Beach, California.

On Saturday, food will be available in three ways: the CI Club Package breakfast from 8:30 a.m.–10 a.m. and lunch, 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.; al fresco lunch, 11–1:30 p.m. for $75 per person in addition to the admission to the event; and gourmet food trucks from the Monterey Bay area.

General admission is $195 now (higher the day of the event), and VIP CI Club is $520 until August 6. Children 12 and under are free with a paying adult (one child per paid adult). Registered service animals are allowed. For more information or to register for specific activities, see concorso.com, email ci@concorso.com or call 425.742.0632.