CONCORSO ITALIANO 40TH ANNIVERSARY DELIVERS A CELEBRATION TO REMEMBER

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Sep 25, 2025, 11:31 ET

"2025 Event Date Announced Coming Off Spectacular Comeback"

MONTEREY, Calif., Sept. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Concorso Italiano marked its 40th anniversary with an unforgettable celebration of Italian style, design, and heritage at Bayonet Black Horse during Monterey Car Week. Thousands of guests enjoyed perfect coastal weather, the sparkling water of the Monterey Bay as a backdrop, and a show field filled with incredible examples of Italian cars and motorbikes, unique builds, and select entries from non-Italian marques.

Operations Manager Samantha Tobias remarked, "Concorso Italiano 2025 is the result of unwavering passion and tireless teamwork, which brought this beloved event back to the glory it deserves."

The day began with Angela Roach's National Anthem performance, followed by the appearance of Festa Italia Queen Bella Cutino and the princesses of Monterey Italian Festa 2025, highlighting Concorso's cultural ties. Co-emcees Matt Stone and Colleen Sheehan carried the program with finesse, joined by Chief Judge Gary Bobileff and influencer The Bad Blonde, who added sparkle to the awards ceremony. Matt Stone, co-emcee and noted journalist, reflected: "Concorso Italiano remains exclusively inclusive and still about Italian style."

Awards & Recognition
Best of Show went to the Lawrence Auriana Collection's 1947 Cisitalia Aerodynamica Coupé. Valentino Balboni presented his namesake award to Ethan Stark's 1997 Lamborghini Diablo VT Roadster, while Carl and Cindy Baker's 1956 Pegaso Z103 Panoramica Coupé won the Meguiar's^® Best Finish Award. Tom McDowell received the La Bella Macchina Award and Philip Yanni received the Doug Magnon Award. Past chairmen Tom McDowell and Jack Wadsworth were present for the event's anniversary celebration and joined Chairwoman Tanya Kosta in awarding Phil White's 1959 Maserati 3500 Vignale Prototype the Chairman's Award.

The Ferrari Club of America conducted its own judging on the field, presenting awards within its membership and naming Don Ferrari's 2011 Ferrari 458 Best of Show. Pantera International also held its own club judging, awarding Best of Show to Gary and Sue Choate's 1973 De Tomaso Pantera L.

Specialty Displays
The Cisitalia 80th Anniversary Display assembled by Ed Godshalk, Frank Spinosa, and Pete Vasquez was among the most historic gatherings in U.S. automotive history, featuring the 1947 Nuvolari Spyder, two 1946 D46 Monopostos, a 1960 Cisitalia OSCA 1500, and the 1947 202 MM Aerodynamica Coupé. Ed Godshalk, Cisitalia collector and authority, said: "It was an honor to help shape the 40th anniversary celebration. Concorso Italiano continues to define passion, elegance, and Italian automotive excellence."

The Italian Legacy Display, curated by Pete Vasquez, spanned a century of design with highlights including a 1925 Lancia Lambda, Ferrari's 1961 196SP Le Mans car, a Pegaso Z103 Panoramica Coupé, and a Fiat "Otto Vu"–powered Siata.

That's Italian!
Italian marques formed the heart of the event, with a powerful presence that included Alfa Romeo, Bizzarrini, De Tomaso, Ferrari, FIAT, Iso, Lamborghini, Lancia, and Maserati on the show field. Among the many highlights, a beautiful Enzo Ferrari captivated spectators, influencers, and media alike. Race-prepped Ferraris added even more excitement, from an FIA 550 GTS race car and a 308 GT2 championship winner to a 1,100-horsepower turbo V12-powered drift car, an FIA 550 Maranello GTS, and a 196SP Le Mans race car brought by Italian Design and Racing.

The Lamborghini Diablo 35th anniversary display drew strong attention, headlined by Ed Bolian's Victoria's Secret Diablo and the presence of Valentino Balboni. The legendary Lamborghini test driver mingled with owners, posed for photographs with fans, signed autographs, and ultimately selected his award winner, adding a personal and memorable touch to the celebration.

Concorso also honored its motorcycle tradition, showcasing nine rare Italian bikes from Ducati, Moto Guzzi, Vespa, Aprilia, and Aermacchi. Bob Weindorf's 1962 Moto Guzzi Galletto 192 earned 1st Place honors.

Clarence Habovstak, Director of Car Selection, reflected: "It was an honor to help shape the 40th anniversary of Concorso Italiano as Chairman of the Car Selection Committee. Concorso Italiano is an event that continues to define passion, elegance, and Italian automotive excellence."

Special Cars & Builders
Bespoke craftsmanship was on full display. Totem Automobili debuted the GT Super "Jarama," while Chris Rünge presented his Helios and RS010 alongside a full-sized buck and English Wheel, giving live demonstrations of metal shaping. Additionally, Rob Ida's Jaguar interpretation, The Black Cat, Craig Kennedy's Alfa Romeo TZ2 Outlaw, Dave Kindig's 1953 CF1 Corvette, designer Camilo Pardo's 2018 Ford GT, and Alan Larson's Projekt911, a re-imagined Porsche 911 highlighted innovation and artistry. Kevin Kay Restorations displayed an Aston Martin DB5 "Bond" tribute car fitted with cinematic gadgetry. Jim Marietta of the famed Old Venice Crew was on hand to showcase a 1965 OVC GT350 Ford Mustang (Grand Touring).

Event sponsors added even more excitement, with Saleen presenting special builds including several S7s in honor of the car's 25th anniversary and Superformance displaying its signature Cobra models. Motorsports Hall of Fame inductee Peter Brock spoke with fans and gave out autographs while displaying a custom Aerovault trailer. Vossen Wheels displayed two exceptional Lamborghini Revueltos, each with their own unique custom wheels, lending to the uniqueness of each vehicle.

Global Exotics & Technology
The Global Exotics section extended the celebration beyond Italy, with British icons Jaguar, McLaren, Sunbeam Tiger, Mini Cooper, and several Aston Martins celebrating the brand's 75th anniversary in the USA, German marques Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and BMW, Japanese entries from Mitsubishi and Toyota, French Citroëns, and eight Spykers marking the brand's 25th anniversary.

Technology took center stage with sponsor Drako Motors' 2026 Dragon hyper-SUV, the quickest and fastest in the world, and FIAT's all-electric 2024 Topolino estate cars. Ferrari's hybrid fleet, including the SF90 and 296 series, showcased the future of performance alongside a 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet, while sponsor Vossen Wheels' Lamborghini Revuelto hybrids underscored the marque's electrified evolution.

Lifestyle & Elevated Experiences
Beyond the cars, guests enjoyed two fashion shows, reminiscent of earlier days of Concorso Italiano. "For our 40th Anniversary, we knew we wanted to celebrate our legacy with a fashion show, but we were ready for a fresh approach. We created two distinct playbooks: one, an engaging presentation of elegant Italian menswear, emceed by Maggie Bobileff and Yosef Shuja, COO of Franco Uomo; the other, a fast-paced fashion show capturing the ease and spirit of American style, presented by Macy's. Together, they marked a bold new chapter for Concorso Italiano," said Mary Hamilton, Fashion Show Producer.

Attendees also enjoyed shopping in the Concorso Piazza, artisanal vendors offering everything from original artwork to jewelry, and unique dining, choosing from twelve curated food trucks and an array of food vendors. One could even purchase coffee served from the body of a Ferrari. The Mr. Car Week tent, held in conjunction with Automobilia Collector's Expo, introduced premier memorabilia dealers, while sponsor Shea Homes presented examples of their striking custom homes. Owners with vehicles on the show field were privy to hospitality tents, made possible by sponsor Monterey Motor Club.

Chairman Tanya Kosta concluded: "Due to the overwhelming success of the 2025 event, we are proud to announce that the 41st Annual Concorso Italiano will return on Saturday, August 15, 2026."

About Concorso Italiano^®
Concorso Italiano^® held its 40th anniversary event in August 2025 at Bayonet Black Horse during Monterey Car Week. Since its founding, Concorso has been dedicated to celebrating Italian style, design, fashion, cuisine, and camaraderie, drawing thousands of enthusiasts and collectors from around the globe.

The 2025 celebration was made possible by the generous support of sponsors including Saleen, Meguiar's^®, Vossen Wheels, Superformance, FIAT, Aerovault, Shea Homes, Franco Uomo, Macy's, Adobe Road Winery, Drako Motors, Glastonbury, Inc. and Monterey Motor Club. Media partners included Highline Autos, VeloceToday, My Car Quest, Ferrari Market Letter, and KMBY Radio.