Concorso Italiano turned the Laguna Seca Golf Ranch into a sea of (mainly) red on Friday 17 August as thousands of Latin classics and cars with Italian connections put on a sensational display.
As well as swathes of modern Ferraris and Maseratis, the classic turn-out was superb, as was the huge number of visitors that thronged around the event.
In one rank alone there were 10 Ferraris Daytonas lined up back to back with more than 15 Dino 246s.
Elsewhere, six Maserati Boras were cheek by jowl.
Attracting most attention on the Maserati field was 'Red' Fred's well-used 1961 3500GT.
The interpretation of Italian at Concorso can be rather liberal with Scott Takasugi's 1980 Volvo Bertone Coupé in a prime spot, a large showing of Pinin-style Cadillac Allante's and a couple of modern Bugatti "interpretations", one wearing a Delayahe badge, the other Santasiero.
Some of the more interesting concepts on display included Gary Kaberle's 2008 Alfa Bat 11, but C&SC's star of the show, the unique 1967 Jaguar Pirana – a sleek one off collaboration with Bertone based on a 2+2 E-type – seemed to be overlooked by many visitors.
There were great stories behind many of the cars on show. Dave Buchanan from Menlo Park showed his De Tomaso Vallelunga which can list previous owners as Dino Martin and Mazda MX-5 mastermind Tom Matano.
Powered by a Ford Kent, the precursor to the Mangusta has been owned by the Candy Store car club president for four years and his restoration was completed just over two years ago.
Octogenarian Harry Hart bought his 1951 Siata Gran Sport 30 years ago for $1500 having gone into a San Jose dealership for a Ferrari 166 or 212 and being persuaded of the advantages of the similar-looking but lesser-engined four-pot.
