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John Fortney's Impressions of This Year's Event

I have never felt the same about the Concorso Italiano since it was moved from the Quail Lodge Resort in 2003 to the new location. But then again, I have been attending the event weekend for more than 25 years. It just isn't the same. The real car enthusiasts (the hard core crowd) used to attend the Monterey Historic Races and other events held the same weekend, and it was a great time with multiple events and many familiar faces seen throughout.

Then the Concorso Italiano event slowly became more focused on the money thing, and an I-Can-One-Up-You format. The Concorso used to be a place to see fine Italian automobiles and many rare and eclectic ones as well. For example, there was the Fiat Jolly, an oddball Italian beach buggy cum surf wagon that was always a pleasure to check out. Those cars are gone now, having had to give way to a more corporate marketing vibe, replete with slick displays from the likes of Lamborghini and others.

I had already assumed before arriving that the event organizers would marginalize the Italias and Apollos and stick them in a corner somewhere, making them hard to find. Unfortunately, I was right. It was disappointing that with two rare Apollo convertibles in attendance (there were only 11 made), that they'd be put pretty much out of everyone's view. Here were two of the rarest Italian cars around, relegated to a back corner. One would think that these fine automobiles would be of interest to most enthusiasts.

Many of us have seen all the Lamborghinis and Ferraris before. Has this once great event become just about money and corporate influence? Let's hope that the event's producers bring the interest of car enthusiasts back by returning to a Concorso Italiano format where attendees can expect a showcase of a wide variety of beautiful, rare and unique automobiles.     - JTF

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