Concorso 2012: Luigi bows out with grace

Last weekend was Concorso Italiano in Monterey California on the famous Pebble Beach Concours weekend. We had registered for the show some time ago as Fiat was honoring the 500 and was holding a special gathering for the Italian micro cars. Having had good successes in previous events we decided that this would be Luigi's last show and that future events would have him entered only as a display piece.

The journey started a few days earlier when a last minute flight was booked and a rental truck was acquired to transport our Fiat from southern to northern California. First stop was to a Home Depot for some lumber to act as ramps and next was the drive up the coast to the show. On the day of the event the weather was perfect and Fiats from across the US and Canada had made the trek out.

By shows end we were unanimously chosen as best Fiat 500 and were humbled to finish second to best Fiat of the show to a magnificent pre-war Fiat with exceptional history and a very special ownership tale; a truly deserving victor.

In addition we were astounded to meet our new friends Emanuele and Anna from Turin Italy who were visiting and sought us out having seen Luigi on this blog and recognizing him on the grass. The power of the Internet never ceases to amaze us and it was wonderful to make the acquaintance.