Concorso Italiano Palm Desert 2014

Concorso Italiano will debut the Desert Concorso: Classic and European Sports Cars in Palm Desert, Calif., March 30, 2014, in conjunction with Fashion Week El Paseo.

In the tradition of Concorso Italiano’s annual Monterey Event, the Southern California show will include exotic Italian cars and designers, avant-garde fashion, great cuisine and a gathering of classic and European sports cars. Desert Concorso will also honor Maserati’s 100th anniversary, with a display of historical cars as well as the new Ghibli, which renews the legendary Trident model.

The pre-event will feature drag races and two VIP receptions. During the actual event, Hollywood and automotive celebrities will be interviewed, and awards for selected cars presented.

“The Desert Concorso will be another well-run event by the organizers of Concorso Italiano,” says Tom McDowell, president of the group, based in Monterey, Calif. “It will bring a little bit of Monterey, and more, to the growing Coachella Valley.”

Later in the year, the Monterey Concorso will be moving to Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, at the Bayonet Black Horse golf course. This year’s 29th summer event, an anchor of Automobile Week in Monterey every year, will highlight 100 years of Maserati as well as the Zagato-designed cars. Each year, Concorso Italiano welcomes as many as 1,200 collectible Italian automobiles, motorcycles and boats and embraces all elements of Italian style, including music, cuisine, fashion and travel.

To submit an online application, to enter a vehicle or vehicles or for additional information on Concorso Italiano and the new Desert Concorso: Classic and European Sports Cars, visit Desert Concorso or Concorso Italiano or call 425.742.0632.

 

Try Marriott Desert Springs on Country Club Dr. Great place and close....

 

Marriott Desert Springs on Country Club Dr. To me, WAY better than Shadow....Great pool. golf etc for a weekend stay. Don't know if they are booked, but I'd jump now as this is a popular place (especially for partying onsite at Costas).

If anyone wants, we can have a gathering at the clubhouse dining room at my place in Palm Desert the Friday night or Saturday night before. Group Dinner? Cocktails? Also, plenty of great restaurants on El Paseo. We can also stage there the morning before and drive the 2 minutes (Ferrari speed time) to the event... Whatever works...

 

There are a number or drives. During the Desert Concours last year, I did a group drive in the XKE V 12 to Idlywild. I followed a friend named Bill Krause up the hill till he blew me away. He is the real deal driver that drove Maserati Birdcages at Riverside in the day. Had a MB gullwing, 275 GTS, a TR numerous other nice cars on the drive through some snow! Others did a drive around the mountains toward the south Joshua Tree area? Weather should be great!

I could come up with others, but those I think are the drive...Maybe we can get a peak at Thermal Race Track as a group. I'm sure that weekend only the rich and famous will get in....

 

I know it is still a few months away, but book early as the "snowbirds" are there. Also, as someone that heads out that way on many weekends, if heading out there on Friday....go early....say 10, 11AM for smooth sailing. Nothing more miserable than being stuck on a freeway at 10 MPH Friday eve. Especially an F-Car with clutch.

I took the TR out there this past weekend, Saturday morning. From HB to Palm Desert....nice ride crusing at ave. of 70-80MPH. You don't want to mix it up with semi's, trailers, mobile homes with trailers of dirt bikes on a late Friday afternoon/eve.