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Avo has chosen the 4.6 Mustang
Cobra R engine to power this show winner |
Probably one of the best
quality paint and coachwork presentation we have ever seen on a
GT-5. Deep front spoiler is all steel and hand fabricated by
Kullukian. |
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| Pantera International is proud to
offer DeTomaso enthusiasts a chance to participate in the
exciting Monterey weekend events each year at the Concorso
Italiano in Carmel Valley and at the Historic Races at Laguna
Seca. Our role is more of a supportive one for now rather than a
leadership position as was Maserati, which was selected as the
featured marque for this year’s festivities.
The Concorso Italiano is a case study of how
hard work, high energy and good taste can lead to a hugely
successful event. Francis and Janet Mandarano have created the
perfect setting to showcase Italian sports cars and have always
hung out the welcome mat for the DeTomaso marque. Their efforts
over the past 15 years have culminated in what was most probably
their best offering yet.
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The engine of Dennis Antenucci's 1971
Pantera
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| This show had everything. Besides a
strong field of DeTomaso cars displayed in a superb area of the
grounds, there were over 300 Ferraris, a huge field of Maseratis,
Lambos including the famed ‘Running of the Bulls’ clan led
by Mario Andretti and even an exciting new exotic car, the Zonda,
that was unveiled at the event.
Two birthdays were celebrated at the show, the
first being the 35th for the Miura and the Ferrari 308 at age
25. The Lamborghini Club of America organized a Miura reunion
and the Ferrari Club of America pulled out all the stops to
gather the 308s.
Maserati made its presence known with an
impressive display at Laguna Seca that housed some of the most
famous models constructed including a Birdcage and early formula
cars. This was our first chance to see the all-new 3200 GT,
which will be marketed, in this country in 2001. More on this
display and the cars shown in our Winter issue. |
Mr. Tom Tjaarda signed autographs for the
guests at the festa DeTomaso - click on picture for larger image
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| The event organizers of the
Concorso are always innovating additional features for the show.
We particularly enjoyed the display of Sig. Gavina of S.A.L.T.
& Turinmodel who has produced more prototype interiors than
any other man in the world. Sig. Schedoni, who we also met, is
the manufacturer of fine luggage and leather products just for
motorcars. He not only displayed his goods but also gave out
unusual leather bound brochures displaying his capabilities that
are real collectables.
The Qvale Group had a small display of the
Mangusta in several colors, the yellow one being our favorite.
Now that the DeTomaso logo has been deleted, we feel little
connection to this car other than the fact that the DeTomaso
organization was involved at the Bigua stage. The Mangusta by
Qvale was displayed in an area distant from the DeTomaso
gathering.
The car that we had the most interest in other
than our favorite marque, was the new Zonda by Pagani Automobili
S.p.A. We were introduced to Mr. Horacio Pagani who was eager to
explain his eye-opening exotic. His brochure was very artistic
and included drawings of the car and chassis, which he
autographed. Mr. Pagani has a long history as a specialty
constructor of cars and prototypes in Italy and now he offers
his own creation. |
Second Place in the Concours Class - Brooks
Berdan
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| Although we have not learned what
the head count was, this had to be the largest census we have
seen at this event. A very large crowd indeed. The weather was
spectacular, not even the usual fog or dampness in the morning.
We were allowed to stage the cars to our liking. We are proud to
say that this is the first year we have ever grouped the cars
that we didn’t have two cars of the same color parked
together! Ringing around a golf green and spread out before the
P.I. booth, our cars just couldn’t look any better.
At high noon, a range of cars drove up to the
ramp area in front of the bleachers for display and explanation.
A Mangusta belonging to the Sullivans was first, followed by a
Pre “L” of Dennis Antenucci, an “L” of Todd Glyer, the
GTS of Mike Hampton, the Longchamp of the Adlers and the awe
inspiring GT5 of Avo Kullukian. Keith Martin interviewed each
owner and we feel he did a great job of letting us explain at
length about our cars. The grandstands were filled to capacity
and there were a great number of automotive journalists and
photographers as well as television crews recording the events.
Matt Stone of Motor Trend was covering the event and hopefully
getting lots of pictures of the choice DeTomaso field.
We found the food service to be much better
and faster this year compared to earlier events. The vendor
booths were top drawer all the way. There were over 200 booths
where you could find and enjoy anything from automotive artistry
to hard mechanical parts and service providers, such as
restoration shops. |
Please click on image for larger photograph
of the Pantera display
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| Another highlight was the
substantial program that was free of charge with admission. Over
130 pages in length, of highest quality and mostly color
artwork, this program is most probably the best one we have ever
received. Showing the line of Maserati automobiles and other
Italian marques in art quality photos and informative text, this
program is a guaranteed collectable and important resource for
your collection as is the 1997 Pantera covered program which we
cherish.
By 2 p.m., it was time to present our White
Glove Concours winners. As we did last year, P.I. shared our
booth and the trophies with our sister club, POCA. We do feel
that our relationship with POCA is at the best and highest level
ever. Although PI has gotten out of the host business in
arranging accommodations, POCA had a hotel close by the Concours
grounds that had the rooms full with their members. |
The Qvale Mangusta was shown sans the
DeTomaso badge. The price has now been lowered on the car.
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| The winners of this years
White Glove were as follows:
Best of Show - Avo Kullukian
Concours Class - First Place - Greg and Rebecca Sullivan
Concours Class - Second Place - Brooks Berdan
Modified Class - First Place - Gary and Bev Hall - Purple
Passion strikes again!
Modified Class - Second Place - Jeff Maxwell
Wash ‘N Wax - First Place - Mark Tumbarello
Wash ‘N Wax - Second Place - Chris Darling
Best Paint - Dennis Antenucci
Best Engine - Avo Kullukian
Best Interior - Gary and Bev Hall
Gary Wilson Memorial Award for the best racer/driver/show and go
car and all around good person - Dennis Antenucci.
*Joe and Glenda Perrucci, dear friends of the late Gary Wilson,
presented the award to Dennis.
As a comment, the class awards were voted by
the owners only. We simply tally the votes and announce the
winner. One individual accused the voters of lousy judging or
rigged vote counting which was a most hurtful and unwanted
criticism. Those polled felt the voting results were quite
responsible and not a “popularity contest”.
We would also note that there is a deceptive
practice by some owners, of entering cars in the Concorso to
reap the benefit of lower admission costs, with no intention of
ever displaying the cars. The folks that are doing this are
basically depriving the organizers of revenue and giving our
marque a bad name. The organizers offer lower ticket prices as
an incentive to show your car not to enjoy a price break for
those who never plan on showing. We would also add that some
Panteras were turned away because the field was already full, at
least on paper. We do not believe these individuals are PI
members. |
The Gruppo IV car of Larry Larson of Morgan
Hill, California. Campy Group 4 wheels and Goodyear racing
rubber looked awesome!
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| Mr. Tom Tjaarda spent most of his
day at the DeTomaso display and was constantly answering
questions, posing for pictures, awarding trophies and updating
us on his many endeavors. One of his projects does involve the
Qvale Mangusta and we hope his design influence will improve the
aesthetics on that car which the motoring press has been
criticizing heavily on the design, sometimes brutally. Tom is
truly one of the best representatives we can have for our marque.
He was equally accessible at the P.I. barbecue at Laguna Seca
where he enjoyed lunch with us and picked up where he left off
being our good will ambassador. Thanks a million Tom.
The atmosphere at the Concours was very
friendly and we made a great number of new acquaintances. We
felt that the fellowship ran very high and the day went all too
fast. We hope that the Mandaranos will continue to field an
event of this caliber and that the DeTomaso marque will be
represented. Next year, maybe DeTomaso will be the one to unveil
a new car as well.
On Saturday, the PI banner was hoisted again
but this time at Laguna Seca Raceway. Our corral and tent were
positioned between the Maserati corral and the Shelby homestead.
Outside of the Ferrari club, DeTomaso has the largest corral and
luncheon. The bar was raised this year in food quality and
service. We served the food ourselves and it was chicken and
ribs, salads, and unlimited drinks and lots of desserts. People
had seconds and thirds and we even had table cloths this year!
Another astonishing exotic made its debut
at the Concorso - this is the Pagani Zonda S (as shown in the
current issue of P.I. -click on photo for larger image)
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P.I. Director Linda Adler, Mr. Tom Tjaarda
and POCA President Dennis Antenucci presented the trophies at
the meeting.
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| About half of the Panteras came
down to our corral. Somebody was telling the owners to keep
their cars at the hotel due to too much dust and traffic
congestion. We personally think that the attendance was down
significantly this year over prior years. Folks could drive
their cars in and out even at peak hours without delay. We
suspect that the high cost of these events and especially the
hotel costs are finally having a limiting effect on attendance.
Although these events are of the highest quality, if an
enthusiast participates in the Concorso, the Historics, the
auctions and Pebble Beach plus lodging and meals, your wallet is
going to have some serious damage done to it. Clearly, the
Concorso didn’t suffer. We believe that the hotels have to
wake up and quit milking the golden cow.
At the Historics, the grid was heavy with
historic Maserati racers and 30 vintage Formula one cars. Ford
muscle was evident everywhere with Shelbys, GT40 and F-1 iron
out in force. Speaking of Ford, that Saleen S7 was really the
talk of the meeting. It does inspire you with its dramatic
louvered and spoilered appearance and Ford engine. At $375K,
clearly there won’t be many that can afford a car of this
nature. It doesn’t cost anything to look, though!
Concours Class Winner - Greg Sullivan of
New Mexico - 1970 DeTomaso Mangusta
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Our coverage of the entire Monterey
weekend will be offered in our next issue. We wanted to publish
the time-dated information on the Pantera happenings. A lot went
on this weekend that is of interest to our members and we will
document it. For next year, we sincerely hope that you will plan
to attend this gathering. We are sorry that we could not locate
or contract with a reasonable cost, quality hotel that could
hold all of our members. We suggest that you consider finding a
suitable room before February in Monterey. There will be plenty
of activities to enjoy; you can leave that to us, just find that
place to sleep!
Forza!
Dave and Linda |
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