With rising coronavirus numbers, travel restrictions and quarantine risks, the signs were not good for the Auto e Moto d'Epoca of 2020. But the Italian classic car industry defied the pandemic.
Organizer Mario Carlo Baccaglini said at the end of the trade fair: "We are very satisfied. The decision to hold the trade fair despite the difficult and uncertain times in the industry was a good choice. This year's Auto e Moto d'Epoca was well attended by a particularly interested and passionate public, with many collectors and classic car experts also taking an active part. First-class exhibitors also contributed to the fair ending with positive comments, good sales results and interesting negotiations."
Extensive Covid measures
The trade fair organization made every effort to ensure that the event was as safe as possible from 22 to 25 October 2020: Temperature control at the trade fair entrance, social distancing, extremely strict controls, compulsory masks in closed areas and outdoors, disinfectants everywhere.
Impressive special show by the ACI
The ACI organized a special exhibition on an exciting topic. The exhibition "The ordinary becomes extraordinary" in Hall 3 was dedicated to the handcrafted racing cars of the post-war period, real one-offs such as the Cisitalia D46, which Tazio Nuvolari was able to drive, or the TARF 1 and the NIBBIO II, which were successful record-breaking vehicles.
But it wasn't just about speed, as the Italian sheet metal artists were also concerned with elegance and bodywork innovations, as impressively demonstrated by a Fiat 1100 E, for example.
The associations ACI (Italian Automobile Club) and ACI Storico (Italian Vintage Automobile Club), partners of the Padua show for many years and co-organizers of the exhibition, drew a positive final balance in the words of their president Angelo Sticchi Damiani: "This year's Auto e Moto d'Epoca testifies to the courage, determination and perseverance of the organizers and at the same time to the great passion for the historic motor world that burns in thousands of Italian and foreign enthusiasts. Despite the fear and the necessary safety measures, many enthusiasts did not miss the pleasure of taking part in this important event. Once again this year, the ACI Storico, as a promoter of the historic motoring world, could not miss a trade fair like Auto e Moto d'Epoca in Padua."
50 years since the first Porsche overall victory at Le Mans
The first Porsche model ever to take overall victory in a major international race was a Porsche 550 A Spyder, which won the Targa Florio race in 1956. This was presented in a spectacular special show that featured many Porsche racing cars.
Almost exactly 50 years ago, a Porsche 917 won the overall classification of the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the first time, a good reason to organize a very special exhibition that generated a lot of interest. One of the cars on display was the Porsche 917 K, which Steve McQueen personally drove in the filming of the cult movie "Le Mans".
Another special show was dedicated to "Motorcycles of Legends" and presented, among others, the world champion motorcycles of Carlos Checa, Troy Bayliss, Casey Stoner, Lucchinelli, as well as true gems of the past, such as the Ducati GP06 LC of Capirossi.
Rarities non-stop
It was not only the special shows that housed rare automobiles, you could actually find them almost everywhere and in every hall, but also outside.
Whether Bugatti T13, Auto Union Coupé Fissore or Simca Cinq, there was certainly no shortage of rarities in Padua.
Various anniversaries influenced the selection of vehicles on display, with the Lancia Flavia celebrating its 60th birthday and the Alfa Romeo Montreal its fiftieth. Jaguar was 85 years old, the Range Rover 50.
And even the Fiat Uno Turbo can look back on 35 years.
Lively trade
The central element of the trade fair near Venice is, of course, the classic car trade. In 2020, specialists and private individuals once again brought an extensive range of classic and modern classics to Padua. Whether pre-war MG, fifties Fiat or nineties Alfa Romeo, it was all there. Of course, Italian brands dominated the scene, but the international super classics, whether Porsche 911 or Mercedes-Benz 300 SL, were not missing either.
The dealers were satisfied, as was Ezio Perletti from AutoClass: "Padua is always the most beautiful trade fair, despite the inevitable decline in sales and visitors from abroad due to the coronavirus crisis. We are confidently looking forward to 2021 to be back at the third most important trade fair in the world."
Being there is everything
Let's hear again from an expert observer, namely Daniele Turrisi, an international expert and member of the Ruoteclassiche price committee: "After everything that has happened, especially in the last few days, it makes no sense to derive statistics about the market trend. The true, great value of the 2020 classic car fair in Padua is to have been there".
