Concorso Italiano Review 2012

Concorso Italiano Review 2012
A review of the 2012 Concorso Italiano in Monterey, California
Published by: All Car Central Publishing
Available in Ebook

Friday, August 17th on the fairways and grounds of the Laguna Seca Golf Ranch in Monterey, California the Concorso Italiano convened for the 27th time. Every year at this time tens of thousands of automotive enthusiasts flock to the Monterey peninsula for the annual automobile week to exercise their passion for exotic, classic, and vintage automobiles.

Concorso Italiano

The Concorso Italiano manifests itself as a gathering of all things Italian, but foremost it is a showcase of Italian automobiles. Italian cuisine, fashion, motorcycles, boats, and other aspects of Italian culture can usually be found on display at the Concorso. Exotic and classic automobiles of non-Italian make are also welcomed and usually make up a significant part of the Concorso Italiano.

Lilli Bertone

Concorso Italiano

This year Bertone was honored for their 100th anniversary. Bertone designed automobiles were the centerpiece display at the Concorso Italiano. Bertone cars on display included the futuristic 2012 Nuccio concept car, the 1970 Lamborghini Miura S, the 1959 Alfa Romeo Sprint Speciale, the 1968 Lamborghini Espada, and the 1976 Maserati Khamsin. Non-Italian manufacturers have also employed Bertone to design cars over the years.

Concorso Italiano

Bertone's was not the only anniversary celebrated this year at the Concorso Italiano. The Fiat 500 is celebrating its 55th anniversary. This small and very short car enjoyed its greatest popularity from the late '50s through the early '60s, originally with a half liter, two cylinder engine. A number of Cinquecentos were on display including the 1959 Fiat 500 Bianchina, the 1960 Fiat 500D, the 1971 Fiat 500L, and several recent Fiat 500 Abarths.

Fiat selected the Concorso to debut the new 2013 Fiat 500 Turbo. Some of the model's notables are a turbocharged 135-horsepower 1.4-liter engine and upgraded suspension and brakes.

So many cars - so little time. It helps to set a scope of what to see and when, and to follow a schedule, with flexibility of course. Including time for a snack or lunch will renew energy for walking the fairways.

An ocean of lovely Italian automobiles! I determined which makes I wanted to see in order and set out. For efficiency of walking a topological plan of the layout would work too.

Concorso Italiano

Lamborghinis dotted the landscape. Thank the factory in Sant'Agata, Italy for adding great beauty and excitement to the automotive world! The Raging Bulls came from a range of eras of automotive history. In the mix were Aventadors and several Murcielago LP670-4 SVs.

The telltale unique, bright metallic colors of many shouted Lamborghini! Seductive, advanced styling is the keynote with Lamborghini, and has been for a long time. Another Lamborghini trademark is the exciting exhaust notes the Raging Bulls make when revved. And the owners do not hesitate to rev them, much to onlookers appreciation. Valentino Balboni, the former chief test driver at the Concorso attended as he often does.

The Fashion Show is always a big hit with the attendees.

Concorso Italiano

The Ferraris were displayed on the side of a hill. There seemed to be a chronological order to the Ferraris model placement. So many prancing horses! Along with a number of Dinos were 308s, 360s, the infrequently seen road burning 288 GTO, the exotic F40 and its curvaceous sister the 50. Of course the most recent models were present, the 430 including the Scuderia, and the current 458 Italia, some models with carbon fiber cap at the rear.

Concorso Italiano

At the Pagani tent a red and carbon Huayra was on display with open engine cover and doors. This car drew a huge crowd of admirers for most of the show.

Non-Italian cars from around the globe were also exciting participants. Notable Porsches present were the Rauh-Welt Porsche with its very advanced body kit, the GT3 RS 997, a yellow Carrera GT, and a GT3 RS. Other non Italians included the Ford GT and Bugatti Veyron. If you have the will not to stop too long at each exciting automotive work of art, you can make a second pass to examine specific details of those you prefer.

Concorso Italiano

The Best of Show was presented to the 1955 Ferrari 250 GT Europa. Ken and Dayle Roath of Newport Beach, California are the proud owners.
©' Michael Rockich Contributing Editor

Images by Clara Cunningham




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