The Stony Brook University Center for Italian Studies has rescheduled the 19th annual Robert D. Cess Concorso d’Eleganza, an event celebrating Italian vehicles, to Sunday, September 14. The show was originally planned for September 6 but was postponed due to inclement weather.
The car show is free and open to the public. It will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Parking Lot 2, off Circle Road, near the Charles B. Wang Center and Tubman Hall on the university campus.
According to organizers, the Concorso is well-attended by auto enthusiasts and highlights “art forms on wheels” as a way of showcasing Italian culture through vehicle design. Multiple Italian vehicle groups are expected to participate.
The event began in 2006 through the efforts of Mario Mignone, founder of the Center for Italian Studies, and SoMAS Distinguished Professor Robert (“Bob”) Cess. Cess was recognized for his work in atmospheric sciences with NASA’s Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal.
Cess had a passion for classic Italian automobiles and especially enjoyed restoring post-war Alfa Romeos. This interest led him to propose the idea of a car show to Mignone. Their collaboration resulted in the first Concorso d’Eleganza being held on May 21, 2006.
For further details and directions to the event, information can be found at the Center for Italian Studies website.
