By Cam Hutchins and JJ Carlson
The 40th anniversary of the Concorso Italiano took place on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at the Bayonet Black Horse Golf Course in Seaside, California. One of the not to be missed events that take place during Car Week, the promoter, “International Car Week” also held their inaugural showing of the “The Paddock Monterey” on the Friday evening before. I was lucky to be able to visit both events and the Concorso celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Dutch marque Spyker, with many examples of their chrome-and-flash vehicles on display. The British Marque Aston Martin has had a number of cars bodied by Italian coach builders over the years, and 2025 marked their 75th year in North America.
The selection of Italian cars, motorcycles, and cultural elements like Italian music, food, and fashion, make the Concorso Italiano a unique event among all the events during Car Week. This event was the perfect place for the debut of the Totem Automobili GT Super “Jarama” and special appearances by figures like Lamborghini test driver Walter de Silva and Chief Judge Gary Bobileff.
The event showcased bespoke craftsmanship, metal shaping demonstrations by Chris Rünge and the Spykers. Youtube influencer Ed Bolian showed the long-rumored, hidden “Victoria’s Secret” Lamborghini Diablo. He explained that the large super graphic SV was just oriented in reverse and slapped on the side of the Dialble to make it the most expensive item in the Victorias Secret cataloque!
Lamborghini’s long time test driver Valentino Balboni spent a lot of time chatting with Ed Bolian, and they spent time with anyone who came up to chat with them. One of the standouts of the show were the number of Cisitalia’s on display. There were two Cisitalia-D-46’s, a Cisitalia 202 Allegeritta, and a Cisitalia-Aerdynamica-CMM-001
The fourth 1946 Cisitalia D46 made, one of the earliest surviving cars is a true Barn Find in original unrestored condition. One of the original seven factory team cars raced at the Coppa Brezzi in 1946. Actively raced until the 70’s. The D46 was a single-seater racing car featuring a 1,089 cc inline-4 engine producing 62 bhp at 5,500 rpm.Tubular spaceframe chassis, 2,050 mm wheelbase (approx. 80.7 inches), a dry weight of approximately 390 kg (860 lbs) and a top speed just shy of 106 mph mph.
The seventh 1946 Cisitalia D46 made was fully restored and had it’s original body and chassis, and also one of the seven factory team cars. It finished first place in September of 1946 at the Coppa Brezzi at the hands of Piero Dusio.
1947 Cisitalia Aerodynamica CMM-001, the Berlina Tipo Mille Miglia “S”. Inspired by the success of the D46 racecars, Cisitalia aggressivelt developes racing cars for the 1947 Mille Miglia. Extensive wind tunnel testing in Turin let this 1,100 cc Ultra Streamlined coupe reach 125 mph on the Turin to Milan highway. It was driven by Piero Taruffi in the 1947 Mille Miglia.
The 1948 Cisitalia 202 SMM Allegeritta, chassis number 5 was one of one built. SMM designates the competition “Spyder Mille Miglia,” Allegeritta means lightweight in Italian, highlighting the body’s construction.
1967 Apollo GT owned by Denny Paul of Carmel, CA is a very late Apollo GT, S/N 1067 of 75 Coupes Produced. It is believed to be one of the bodies transferred from Vetta Ventura in Dallas TX to Apollo International in Pasadena. Then it went to the shop foreman and assembled by him. Originally green with black interior, it was built with the more powerful L79 Corvette 317 cu. in. Chevy V8 popular in Chevelles and Nova’s of the period.
The engine is a “Warranty” or “Engineering” unit delivered to dealers as a replacement engine, and has significantly more power than the original 3.5 litre Buick engines.
Similar to the “Singer Porsches” this Alfa Romeo based Totem GT Super is a totally re-engineered Alfa with all modern power, comfort and reliability. Powered by a Italecnica x Totem 2.8 Twin-Turbo V6 producing 640 hp and mated to a 6 speed manula transmission, the performance is amazing.
Another bit of wonder comes from De Tomaso. I am astounded to see cars I have never seen before. The 1974 De Tomaso Longchamp owned by Greg A Taylor of Burlingame CA, certainly fit this category. Introduced in 1972 as a grand tourer designed by Tom Tjaarda at Ghia, it featured a long hood, low stance and the 330hp 351 Cleveland Ford V8, and a top speed of 150 mph. This lovely green Longchamp is one of only 9 to exist in the US and only 409 were manufactured.
The 1960 Fiat OSCA 1500S Coupe features a 1,491cc DOHC 4-cylinder OSCA engine producing 90 hp (SAE), a 4-speed manual transmission, and a unit body construction from Pininfarina. Weighing approximately 2,040 lbs, it had independent front suspension, with drum brakes, though some 1960 models received front disc brakes.
1967 Alfa Romeo Gran sport Quattroroute Zagato is a car one should love, but something seems off about it. It was supposed to be inspired by the Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Gran sport Spider from the 1930’s but it misses the mark, and looks like a kit car. Powered by a 1.6 liter Twin Cam Alfa Romeo engine producing 91 Horsepower with a 5 speed manual transmission, independent front suspension and solid rear axle. 93 were built 1965 to 1967.
The 1960 Lancia Appia Berlina (Sedan) of Antonio and Nancy Corbelletta was born July 13th 1959 and is part of the series 3 of the Appia produced 1959 to 1963. Painted Celeste Ardenza (Sky Blue) with red leather this 4 door pillarless sedan features suicide rear doors.
As the story goes Italian cars used to rust before they got to the dealerships in North America. The 1974 Fiat 124 Sedan “Superleggera” originally bought by the present owner’s great grandpa, it was meticulously maintained over the years, despite the rust.
The 1957 Fiat 1200 TV Trasformabile was designed by Pininfarina and introduced in 1956 with a 1,100 cc engine, and was hugely accepted worldwide. Getting a 1,200 cc for 1957 and it appeared on the cover of Road & Track Magazine. Fewer han 3,500 produced and about 700 were exported to the U.S.
The big American V8’s have been found in many Italian cars, but Greg & Robin Paboojian of Liberty Lake Wa. decided the Iconic Single Overhead Camshaft (SOHC) 427 cu. in. V8 was a far better choice for their 1973 De Tomaso Pantera. Of course when you decide on a SOHC 427, every other part on the car got upgraded for performance and comfort.
As if the cars are not enough for you, there is also Italian art, fashion and food. Make plans to attend the 2026 Concorso Italiano, August 15, 2026 10:00AM – 4:00PM PST
Concorso Italiano stands as the premier showcase of Italian automotive design, performance, and culture. Set against the scenic backdrop of the Monterey Peninsula, the event honors legendary marques including Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Bizzarrini, De Tomaso, Ferrari, FIAT, Iso, Lamborghini, Lancia, and Maserati—each representing the timeless artistry and innovation of Italian motoring.
