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2005 Le Belle Macchine d'Italia
By: Nathan Leach-Proffer
Photos by the author
July 06, 2005

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There is only one way to explain Le belle Macchine d'Italia to someone that has never been there, and that is to translate the events name: "the beautiful Machines of Italy." Not only are Italians passionate about their cars, but also about the heritage that most of those cars hold. This is the largest three day Italian automotive event in North America with a one day concorso and two days at the track where owners get to put their cars through their paces. Over fifty Lamborghinis attended last year, and a goal of sixty-five was set for this year.

The first event of the three days is the concorso that takes place on the very picturesque grounds of the Skytop Lodge atop the Pocono Mountains in Skytop, PA. People travel from all over the eastern United States to make the event, which doubles as the Lamborghini owners club national meet and the Maserati owners national meet. Pantera, Iso/Bizzarini, Alfa Romeo, and Ferrari hold club meetings as well. Essentially, it's a gathering of hundreds of die-hard Italian car enthusiasts who love to show their cars.

Judging occurs at the show using standards set by each club, and the winners of each class face off for the opportunity to be crowned "Best of Marque". Only after this do these winners get passed on to the board of directors and event officials to decide who is "Coppa d'bella", best of show.

The highlight of this year's show couldn't be narrowed down to just one. First, there were the six stunning classic Maserrati race cars from the 1950's displayed on the green. Among them was the 1956 300 S #3062 which won the 1956 GP in Venezuela. At the same time on the other side of the field there was a very impressive collection of Lamborghinis, the most I have ever seen in one place at one time with just about every color option available. Another interesting car at the show this year was the SSC Aero SC/8T. Not quite Italian, but it seemed to attract even the Italian car lovers present, and nearly everyone came over to get a good look at the car.

Special guests planned for the event included Giotto Bizzarrini, the father of the Lamborghini V12, former Pininfarina & Ghia designer Tom Tjaarda, as well as Iso president Piero Rivolta. Unfortunately, Bizzarrini and Tjaarda cancelled at the last minute.

Pocono International raceway was home for the last two days of the event. In addition to improving lap times, one could purchase a "ride of a life time" with Valentino Balboni. Yes, a ride with the legendary Lamborghini test driver who it is said has driven 80% of Lamborghinis out of the factory. The money earned from the drives went to charity. A good number of Ferraris joined the Lamborghinis on the track, from race cars to 360 Modenas to Daytonas. Fortunately, everyone stayed safe with no major incidents casting a shadow of the event.

With a relaxing day on the lawn and two days of racing on the track, hundreds of Italian car lovers ended a great weekend of celebrating their "beautiful Machines of Italy."