FIVA at the Heart of the Pebble Beach Concours
(Part 5)
The Concorso Italiano
One of the true highlights of Monterey Car Week is the Concorso Italiano. Renown as the premier gathering of the best of Italian vehicular design and engineering, it serves to highlight Italian motoring heritage. Set against the scenic background of the Monterey Peninsula, the showcase features a broad array of Italian vintage, classic and modern vehicles with a separate category titled “Global Exotics” which also celebrates distinctive cars from around the world.
Held on the 15th of August, the 2026 edition, the 41st to be held, is believed to have yielded the largest field ever with over 600 registered vehicles. The diversity of the vehicles on display was exemplified by the incredible Maserati that won Best of Show: a 1959 Maserati 3500 GT Bertone owned by Jim Utaski of Skillman, New Jersey, a one-off of immense historical interest.
The beautiful and unique cars and motorcycles on display truly stood out and the event was further enhanced by the Italian spirit of ‘La Dolce Vita’ as evidenced by the Italian cuisine, fashion, art and live music which was prevalent across the event. Further complementing this environment was the broad cross section of participants and guests ranging from enthusiasts to industry leaders and renown collectors.
The 2026 edition of the Concorso Italiano also highlighted two milestone celebrations, namely the 60th Anniversary of the iconic Alfa Romeo Spider Duetto and the legendary motorcycle manufacturer Ducati which is celebrating its centenary.
FIVA President Alberto Scuro was one of the key guests of the event and provided a short speech where he was joined by the Hon. Massimo Camelos, Consul General of Italy in San Francisco.
President Scuro was on hand to witness the induction of FIVA United States representative Donald Osborne to the Concorso Italiano Hall of Fame where he was presented the ‘La Bella Macchina Award’ in recognition and appreciation of his contribution to the continuing passion of automobiles. The award was presented by former event Chairman Tom McDowell and past recipient Monica Zanetti, aka ‘Lady F40’, the first woman to work as both mechanic and coachbuilder for Ferrari. Ms. Zanetti is also the co-founder of the Automotive Women Association (‘AWA’) a non-profit organization based in Modena, Italy comprised of female professionals involved in the automotive industry. Through its initiatives and training activities, AWA is dedicated to building a future in which women become more deeply involved and play a greater role in the innovation and development of the automotive industry.
Adolfo Orsi, who has served as the Chief Judge of the FIVA Awards at the Pebble Beach Concours since their inception in 1999, was also on hand to receive the Doug Magnon Award, presented to him by Andrea Soriani, General Manager of Maserati of North America. The award is presented
in celebration of those who embody Doug Magnon’s legacy, the owner of one of the largest Maserati collections in the world and in recognition of those who generously share their knowledge and experience.
FIVA President Scuro lauded Concorso Italiano President Tanya Kosta for the outstanding level that she has elevated this remarkable event within the community, pointing to the fact that the AWA selected her as its first Honorary Member in recognition of her dedication to promoting automotive culture and celebrating Italian heritage.
According to President Scuro, “while the Concorso Italiano has emerged as a true bridge between Italian automotive heritage and the enthusiasts who congregate each year to enjoy the beauty of the vehicles and the ambience of the event, the recognition of Ms. Kosta by the AWA serves as a microcosm of a truly inspiring commitment, both to the automotive world and to the wider community.”
Photos by mophoto.art