2008 Concorso Arizona

This past weekend I took advantage of the great Arizona weather and attended the 2008 Concorso Arizona. Hosted by the Ferrari Club of America-Desert Region, it took place in Scottsdale at the el Pedregal Marketplace at the The Boulders Resort. In brief, the event was an Italian car lover's dream.

The Concorso offered an assortment of classic and current model Ferrari's, as well as many Lamborghini Diablo's, Gallardo's and Murciélago's. In addition, there were more than a few De Tomaso Pantera's, incredibly restored inside and out.

Capping off the day was seeing a rare Bugatti Veyron up close and in person. As a car nut, I've read countless articles about the car but have never seen one. It was an incredible experience, especially when the car's massive 16-cylinder engine was fired up!

There were a total of 83 cars on display, including a Ferrari 250 GT Pininfarina and a black Ferrari Enzo, which is one of only three in the world. The Enzo was chosen by spectator vote as the 2008 People's Choice Award. Many of the cars shown were valued at over $1.5 million.

Best in Show went to a 1984 Ferrari BB 512i. Also known as the Berlinetta Boxer, the 512 is one of my teenage favorites, seemingly stripped from the pages of Road and Track or Car and Driver magazines. Unfortunately, the rear deck was closed and I couldn't take a peek at the 5-liter flat-12.

Money raised from the weekend event goes to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Phoenix, helping families who need help while their child is in Phoenix for surgery or other medical conditions.

If you click through to read this post, I've posted a few photos I took while I was there.

Let me know what some of your favorite Italian exotics are, whether it be a model from today or a classic from sometime in the past.

Interior of a beautifully restored Dino.

Ferrari F430 Scuderia

Ferrari BB 512i Berlinetta Boxer rear deck.

Amazing Pantera motor, with a stunning set of reworked exhaust headers.

The one, the only, Ferrari.