MONTEREY, ITALIAN-STYLE; The Black Horse show is the anti-Pebble, and hooray, no more buses.(News)

Byline: MARK VAUGHN

With Ferrari the featured marque at the Monterey Historics, and with Ferrari clubs from across the country making the pilgrimage to the peninsula, this should be a particularly good year for the Concorso Italiano. Organizers expect as many as 500 Ferraris on exhibit when the gates open, with an additional 800 to 900 other examples of Italian marques on display.

This year includes tributes to the Ferrari Dino, as well as the 50th anniversary of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta. It is the first opportunity for the U.S. public to see the Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster up close. There's even a Kruse auction.

The corral section (cars not lucky enough to have been born in Italy) is expanding this year. Look for hundreds of BMWs, Porsches, Corvettes, Lotuses, Miatas and Mercedes-Benzes. Since Rolls-Royce is featured at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, look for a Roller corral, too.

The real fun of Concorso is the atmosphere-less pretentious than Pebble, a kind of anti-Pebble, if you will. Wear that ratty old Scuderia Fiat T-shirt and actually get complimented on it here. Or sell it at significant profit right off your back.

There will be more bathrooms this year, better parking, more food vendors and-trumpet, please-no buses! This is the second year Concorso Italiano will be at the Black Horse Golf Course north of Monterey. Last year, getting into and out of the event had all the charm of the Anzio Beachhead, though it wasn't as organized. All parking will be within walking distance.

That is what the new owners of Concorso Italiano promise. Yes, new owners: Janet and Francis Mandarano, who put together every Concorso Italiano since Enzo was in ...