FIAT FREAKOUT 2025 SPOTLIGHT
Concorso di Eleganza
One of the biggest highlights of every Freakout is the car show - the Concorso di Eleganza.
In the first Freakouts, the car show was small; Freakout was new and there were not yet a lot of cars. At some point along the way, as Freakouts grew and the car show became bigger and bigger, it picked up the name "Concorso di Eleganza" and the name stuck.
For lovers of Fiats, Alfa Romeos, and Lancias, the concorso truly is an elegant contest. Sometimes, we have some Maseratis, Ferraris or even a Yugo or two to add to the wonderful field of Italian automobiles. Most years, Freakout's Concorso di Eleganza presents the largest number of Fiats displayed together on any show field in North America that year.
Beginning with the Concorso at Lancaster, PA, the show field was formally opened up to the public, allowing non-Freakout spectators to enjoy our cars with us.
Awards are voted on by the owners themselves. Class awards are voted on only by owners in their respective class. Other awards, such as Best in Show are decided by all the owners at the show. Some years, there are other specialty awards.
Keeping up with modern technology, voting has shifted to online ballots, so be sure to have your smartphone or tablet, etc. available at the Concorso!
Another change came about last year. Instead of having the Concorso on Saturday, as it traditionally had been held, the show was held on Friday. Not only did the switch reduce the lineup of activities on Saturday, but it allowed a built in rain day. In case of inclement weather on Friday, the show could be shifted to Saturday.
Saturday had become long. Event organizers had to get up before the break of dawn to get to the show field and set it up in time for the first Fiats to arrive mid-morning. After the show, votes had to be counted and gotten ready for the Awards Banquet. Then, the banquet would take several hours.
For both Freakout organizers and Freakateers alike, the day had become very long. So long, the traditional informal parking lot get togethers after the banquet had begun to suffer. Lots of people were too tired to go hang out. By shifting the Concorso to Friday, the Saturday overload problem was reduced.
One of the coolest things about the Concorso is there is almost always 1 or 2 (or more cars) you never expected to see. Sometimes, you never even knew they existed. Witness the fully functionally vintage Fiat tow truck on the show field at the Woodlands!
What little known vehicle will be on the show field in the Dells? We will find out Friday, at the Concorso di Eleganza.
Displaying 1 car on the show field is included in the price of your base FFO ticket. A 2nd car costs $35 and all additional vehicles are $25 apiece.
Register for Freakout here:
https://fiatclubamerica.com/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=152684&module_id=699652
NOTE: None of the pictures below include all the cars on their respective show field that year.
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Tazilon Brenner
DFW Chapter Leader
FCA Board of Directors