Le Belle Macchine d’Italia, Concorso d’Eleganza and Driving Event

A three-day event held at the Skytop Lodge and Pocono International Raceway. This year’s event was fabulous for Italian-car enthusiasts.

Submitted by Carl Canales, Maserati Club International, Director NE Region

Le Belle Macchine 2004 offered the most spectacular collection of Maserati racecars that has been assembled in the U.S. in nearly 50 years. Frank Triarsi of Classic Coach from Elizabeth, New Jersey presented 450S #4509, 300S #3063, 350S #3502, and Tipo 63 and 64 Birdcages. Nick Soprano presented his 450S #4508. Tom Hollfelder presented his 450S #4510 from California. Also there was the Sebring 12 hour winner, 450S #4503, driven by Fangio in 1957. Not only were these beautiful cars displayed at the Concorso at Skytop, we were also able to witness three of the 450S performing many high-speed laps at Pocono International Raceway. It was exciting to view these cars four-wheel drifting off the final turn and accelerating down the main straight. However great these cars were on the straight, they could not lap as quickly as the newer cars on the twisty part of the course. They were spectacular both in sight and sound as they rocketed down the straight-of-ways. They sounded like modern day NASCAR stockcars with bellowing, big V-8 sounds. It was not a sound (or sight) that will soon be forgotten by those lucky enough to be there.

The Concorso at Skytop offered a relaxed pace where we had the opportunity to see old friends and meet new Italian-car aficionados. Although we are Maserati enthusiasts, we appreciate all of the other fine Italian cars that were displayed.

This year’s Concorso award winners are:

Best of Show presented to Frank Triarsi (Classic Coach) -- 450S #4509