Automotive Preeminence in Paradise

For the car collector, restorer and enthusiast, there is one annual weekend in Carmel and neighboring Monterey that is comparable to other sports' Masters, the Super Bowl and Kentucky Derby, all rolled into one. It is where one goes to reach automotive Mecca. It is August and it's the weekend of the Concorso Italiano, Monterey Historics, Pebble Beach and the Concours d'Elegance. It is a good place to be. Expensive, but still a good place.


This is, after all, Carmel, Monterey and Pebble Beach. Choice real estate for both residences and cars. This is just about the only time you can park a car on the world famous golf course at Pebble. Of course, some of the cars sitting on the 18th Fairway are worth far more than a year's worth of green fees.

Concours d'Elegance
The first time the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance graced the golf course was 54 years ago. Since 1950, this special event has grown from a small, casual assembly of spectators and participants into an attraction that is arguably recognized as the premier gathering of its type in the world. Pebble Beach's The Lodge serves as headquarters for this extremely competitive event that attracts just 200 perfectly and lovingly restored cars invited because each represents a specific automotive era and/or significant accomplishment. Entries come from many states and more than a dozen additional countries, including Australia, Hong Kong and Argentina. This year, the Concours honored the 100th anniversary of Rolls-Royce, and also recognized Hispano-Suiza for its 100th year. As is always the case, proceeds from the Concours support a number of national charities.

Concorso Italiano
Although much younger in terms of its presence during this special weekend, the Concorso Italiano has nevertheless become an important part of it. Now held at Black Horse Golf Course in Monterey Bay, this event essentially starts off the weekend of car-gazing and, as the name implies, it is a celebration of all four-wheeled vehicles that have roots in Italy. For its 19 years, Corcorso Italiano has, in the eyes of many, become the ultimate event for Italian car lovers. Owners and enthusiasts of Ferrari, Lamborghini, Alfa Romeo, Maserati, as well as designer/limited production manufacturers DeTomaso, Pininfarina, Bertone, Iso and Bizzarrini and yes, even Fiats, gather together to display, admire and envy these wonderful marques. Of note was the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta.

Ferrari 50th
For 2004, the honored marque at the Monterey Historics, held at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca was Ferrari. For most enthusiasts of course, Ferrari was the featured attraction throughout the three-day love affair. This year, the illustrious manufacturer is celebrating its 50th anniversary of doing business—of selling its cars—in the U.S. In layman's terms, it's half a century of making mouths drool and inspiring automotive lust.