Concorso Italiano recap from Monterey Car Week 2026

Gli Itialiani know a thing or two about car design.

A recap of the 2026 edition of the Concorso Italiano from Monterey Car Week

Soul. Zest. Intensity. Emotion. These are just a few words that come to mind when thinking of an Italian thoroughbred. They're also what you might find when you ask an internet search engine for synonyms of 'passion.'

As stereotypical and trite as it is to call out such overplayed hyperbole, there's simply a reason for their overabundance and use: They happen to be true. Well, mostly true, at least at Concorso Italiano, which was fully devoid for at least one more year of the appalling new Ferrari Luce EV.

Home to this celebration of Italian fine art is the Bayonet Black Horse golf course in Seaside, California, a couple of miles north of downtown Monterey. With some renovations underway, the grounds aren't quite at their best in every corner, but out on the fairways on a beautiful seaside morning, you're treated to a wonderful breeze as the sun breaks through the clouds, with views of the Pacific ahead.

Ferrari, of course, is the main attraction for most, with a sea of Prancing Horses spread across the lawn. It's actually a nice change of pace to see such a well-represented segment of late-model cars like the Ferrari 360 and F430 now, cars that were once a dime a dozen around Car Week but have become increasingly rare sights on the streets as newer models have been produced in masses since.

In fact, seeing these now-classic and skyrocketing-in-value mid-engine V8 models of the past, with their simplistic and purposeful interiors and manual gear knobs sitting in those glorious gated shifters between the seats, serves as a reminder of times we took for granted. Times when cars looked distinct and sounded like they were howling at the moon every time you prodded the accelerator.

But I digress.

Fewer Lamborghinis were present, while Alfa Romeo made their presence easily discoverable, with a vast assortment of beautiful GTVs and Dustin Hoffman-spec Duetto Spiders. The sheer variety of Italian machinery is part of what makes Concorso Italiano so enjoyable, with everything from relatively humble Alfa Romeos to the exotic machinery that commands six- and now even (and easily) seven-figure prices.

Of the contemporary cars on display, the one that stole the show for myself and two friends was the fantastic Dallara Stradale. Built by the Italian manufacturer best known for constructing chassis for IndyCar, Le Mans prototypes, and plenty of other racing machinery, the Stradale is essentially a streetable racing car, completed by such unique features like gullwing doors, a carbon-fiber tub, and even a manual gearbox.

The looks and presence are sensational, and it's significantly cheaper than a McLaren Artura, let alone any Ferrari. So how is this not a bigger hit? Maybe it's because the Stradale isn't technically street legal in the United States. If that's the reason, I'll gladly stand in protest until somebody changes that, preferably with a chance behind the wheel for me. I also sadly didn't take a picture of it, so check it out here

Hosting these pieces of rolling art is the Bayonet Black Horse golf course, which itself has seen better days. Some grass was missing, while the "food court" corner of food trucks sat in a dusty patch of dirt that didn't seem particularly befitting of the surroundings.

Now in its 41st year, Concorso Italiano has undoubtedly seen larger days, with more cars on display and greater numbers of older Ferraris and Lamborghinis. But there's something to be said for its current size. Relative to the eye-watering ticket prices attached to so many other Monterey Car Week events, Concorso Italiano is something of a bargain. The smaller crowd and lack of annoying wannabe influencers also makes it that much easier to actually enjoy the cars—and the company of friends—without constantly fighting through a sea of people.

After many years away from Concorso Italiano, it was a welcome return to seeing some of my favorites from yesteryear, all in a setting where fewer people live streaming to their audience of two were getting in the way. Except when it came to parking, which was an absolute disaster.

Still, I had no regrets. The cars were spectacular, the company brought was good, and the atmosphere was exactly what I want from an event like this. I'll definitely be back next year. Just hope it takes less time to park.