Concorso Italiano

2021 Best of Show, 1965 Maserati Mistral Spider

37th Concorso Italiano is Saturday, August 20, in Seaside

written by David M. Brown

Seventy years ago, a successful young race car driver premiered the first of many landmark automobiles in his name, and this year’s 37th Concorso Italiano honors the continuing legacy of Enzo Ferrari.

The Concorso Italiano –– the world’s largest celebration of Italian car design and performance –– takes place on Saturday, August 20, 9:30–3 p.m. at the Bayonet Black Horse Golf Course, a Troon property, in Seaside, California, near Monterey Bay. About 4,000 attendees and 800–1000 classic cars are expected.

Ten marques are judged at the Concorso: Alfa Romeo, 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. With Ferrari, Bizzarini and the Alfa Romeo are also being honored at the event.

First, second and third awards will be given in each category, with first-place winners eligible for Best of Show. Last year’s top winner was a 1965 Maserati Mistral Spider.

The FCA-PR Vintage Ferrari Concours (VFC) judging will be led by Ryan Pimentel, the FCA-PR director of concours, with a team of judges. The VFC judging is open to all pre-2012 Ferraris and will be judged using the International Advisory Council for the Preservation of the Ferrari Automobile (IAC/PFA) Guidelines. In turn, The Lamborghini Club does its judging. Special awards will include Best Finish Award by Meguiar’s and the Valentino Balboni Award for Mr. Balboni’s favorite Lamborghini.

As always, food is abundant. The CI Club Package offers breakfast from 8:30–10 a.m. and lunch from 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.; the doors for CI Club members open at 8 a.m. The Al Fresco Lunch, also in addition to the admission price, is 11 a.m.– 1:30 p.m. at $105 per person. A food court with gourmet food trucks is also available.

The Connec2Cars event is a morning show-style interview. Wade Kawasaki, former board chairman of SEMA and former president of Legendary Companies, will be interviewing legendary Pininfarina designer Maurzio Corbi, Marinella Mengozzi of the M-Auto museum in Turin and American designer Chip Foose.

“The Concorso Italiano focuses on the cars, conversations among the people who love and appreciate them and elements of that special essence known as the ‘Italian style’ including food, music and art,” says Tom McDowell, chairman for the Mercer Island, Washington-based event. “As a foundation organization ourselves, we are proud that we also provide much-needed funds to Monterey nonprofit organizations and school groups including Habitat for Humanity Monterey chapter and the San Carlos School.”

General admission is $215 per adult. Children 12 and under are are free with a paying adult (one child per paid adult).

For more information on tickets, vehicle registration and other events, see concorso.com, email ci@concorso.com or call 425.742.0632.