The Concorso d`Eleganza Villa d`Este is probably the most exclusive gathering of classic car owners in the world. In addition to the fantastic cars and motorcycles, the fantastic location on Lake Como and the special concept make this beauty contest unique.
The Concorso was launched back in 1929 at the Villa d'Este as a new car show, in which mainly coachbuilders competed with their most beautiful and elegant creations. Of course, there was no talk of classic cars so soon after the invention of the automobile.
Ready for the movies
The motto of this year's Concorso was "Hollywood on the Lake" and was of course perfectly suited to the fantastic location on Lake Como and the Grand Hotel Villa d'Este, where people such as Antonio Banderas, Elton John and George Clooney have stayed. Important personalities from the aristocracy, politics, business, church, culture and, as already mentioned, show business have been meeting here since 1873.
The BMW Group took over the patronage of the Concorso 19 years ago and for the past 13 years, BMW Group Classic has been responsible for organizing this top-class rarities show as a joint organizer with the Grand Hotel Villa d'Este.
You could hardly imagine a more beautiful setting for this event than the two villas on Lake Como. Every year, the cars present themselves like jewels in the sun so close to the water. A small group of wealthy, like-minded collectors from all over the world bring their old and extremely rare cars to Cernobbio, where they are presented to the general public.
Eight classes
On May 26 and 27, 2018, the aim was to select the most beautiful and interesting historic automobiles from eight classes. There will also be a class with concept cars:
- Class A The Titans: Dirt, Dust and Danger
- Class B From Manhattan to Mayfair: The golden age of motoring opulence
- Class C Shaped by the wind: Grand routières of the art deco era
- Class D New world new ideas: The story of the GT
- Class E Speed meets style: The flowering of the sports and the racing cars
- Class F 80 years of automotive archaeology
- Class G Hollywood on the lake: Stars of the silver screen
- Class H When sex was safe and racing was dangerous: Formula one
The public loves the Alfa Romeo 33
The Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale designed by Franco Scaglione won the public vote for "Best of Show". It is probably one of the most beautiful cars in the world. It looks elegant and aggressive at the same time and its lines are absolutely perfect from every angle. Albert Spiess' extremely rare car has survived the test of time in its original condition.
The Ferrari 335 S by Andreas Mohringer won the judges' "Best of Show" award. Another good choice, as this racing sports car from Ferrari is also considered a style icon.
A class winner was also chosen for each class, and other vehicles were also honored (see below).
Exceptional GT cars
Some rarities were represented in class D of the GT cars. For example, the unique Ferrari 212 Export with Vignale bodywork, plus the very rare Corvette in Scaglietti livery. It also cannot deny its clear Italian lines.
US car importer Max Hoffman had his new Jaguar XK120 given an Italian makeover by Pininfarina before bringing the car across the pond directly after the 1955 Geneva Motor Show.
Today, it would be unthinkable for a new car to be redesigned and clothed by an external coachbuilder. But the Italian Jaguar is certainly something to be proud of.
When racing cars were still elegant
In Class E, the Jaguar C-Type, ex Maston Gregory, and the Aston Martin DB3S represented the British Isles. The Italian boot entered three Ferraris (750 Monza, the overall winner 335 Sport and a 250 GTO) and an Abarth 2000 Sport SE 010 (ex Sandro Munari). The beautiful Porsche 904 Carrera GTS was also represented from Germany.
Racing cars from the early days
Class A was very well equipped with the two delicacies, the Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Monza and the Bugatti Type 59.
The designer of the i-watch drove up in the Bugatti and, as befits a designer, he stood out with his purple suit in Bugatti blue. The Bugatti 35 in the Swiss colors had some mechanical problems.
Unrestored treasures
In Class F, the search was on for cars that had never undergone a major restoration. Two vehicles in particular stood out. Firstly, the Fiat 8V and secondly, of course, the SCAT 25/35 HP of second owner Corrado Lopresto. Before him, the vehicle had been in the same family for 100 years.
Also worth mentioning is the Fiat 500 beach car presented by Luca Bertolero, which was built for Gianni Agnelli and in which many rich and famous people drove around Agnelli's Villa La Leopalda on the Cote d`Azur.
Formula 1 cars for the first time
The McLaren MP4/2B with the TAG-Turbo engine, which had won the drivers' world championship three times in a row with Lauda and Prost from 1984 to 86, achieved class honors in the Formula 1 racing cars.
The driver gave poor traction on the gravel as an excuse for his late arrival at the presentation.
The extraordinary three-axle Tyrrell P34 was personally driven by ex F1 driver Pierluigi Martini. This car is and remains the only racing car to have won a Grand Prix with more than four wheels (there were actually several). It is still a breathtaking design today.
The special thing about this group, however, was that all seven F1 racing cars were driven forward under their own power and were also able to thrill the audience with their sound.
Almost like in the movie
"Hollywood on the Lake" presented the Aston Martin DB5 ex-James Bond brought from the USA by Harry Yeaggy with a working gunshot shield and changing license plates. It is certainly the best of all the DB5s from the movie Goldfinger. James Bond's most famous car is said to have sat in a movie buff's living room for 40 years until Harry Yeaggy from Ohio got wind of it and snapped it up for 4.5 million dollars.
Christian Traber brought the BMW 507 that Elvis Presley gave to Ursula Andress during the filming of the musical comedy "Fun in Acapulco". Originally a Cadillac was planned as a gift, but the American car was too big for Ursi National, as the actress is known in Switzerland.
The absolute highlight of this group, however, was the Lancia Stratos Zero, still futuristically dressed by Bretone today, which features in the music video for the song Moonwalker by Michael Jackson.
The Delage D8-120 was probably the most successful actor of its kind. Because his appearances are numerous. "An American in Paris" with Gene Kelly and Nina Foch and even gangster boss James Cagney drove through the movies in the French eight-cylinder.
The Ferrari 500 Superfast, which was only built 36 times, probably had one of its most famous previous owners in Peter Sellers.
Chrome and gold
In the "golden age of motoring" group, the Rolls-Royce Phantom was certainly the most eye-catching vehicle, at least because of its partial gold plating.
The Mercedes 540K came to Como with Jon Tiriac, the ex-manager of Boris Becker.
The Bugatti Type 57 Atalante and the Lancia Astura Series lll with Pinin-Farina bodywork must certainly be mentioned among the pre-war aerodynamic bodies.
Although it is generally accepted that cars were made to be driven and should therefore be driven, it must be admitted that a Concorso of this kind also has its justification and its appeal.
Vehicles and prizes won
| Cl | No | Make | Type | Year | Trophies/Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 02 | Isotta Fraschini | Fnec | 1909 | |
| A | 04 | Bugatti | Type 35 | 1925 | |
| A | 06 | Alfa Romeo | 6C 1750 Gran Sport Zagato | 1930 | |
| A | 08 | Alfa Romeo | 8C 2300 Monza Zagato | 1933 | Honorary registration |
| A | 10 | Bugatti | Type 59 | 1934 | Class victory |
| A | 12 | Triumph | Dolomite 8 Corsica | 1934 | |
| A | 14 | Lagonda | LG45 Rapide | 1936 | |
| B | 16 | Bentley | 4 1/2 Litre Dual Cowl Torpedo | 1928 | Trofeo Club Como (largest distance driven) |
| B | 18 | Isotta Fraschini | Tipo 8A SS Castagna | 1929 | |
| B | 20 | Rolls-Royce | Phantom Brougham de Ville | 1929 | Class victory, Trofeo Rolls-Royce (most elegant RR) |
| B | 22 | Cadillac | V-16 Fleetwood | 1930 | Honorable mention, Trofeo BMW Classic (most sensitive restoration) |
| B | 24 | Packard | Standard Eight | 1932 | |
| B | 26 | Rolls-Royce | Phantom II Sport Saloon | 1933 | |
| B | 28 | Mercedes-Benz | 540 K Cabriolet A | 1937 | |
| C | 32 | Lancia | Astura Series III Pinin Farina | 1936 | Class victory, Trofeo Fiva (best preserved pre-war) |
| C | 34 | Bugatti | 57 Atalante Coupé | 1937 | Honorable mention |
| C | 36 | Bentley | 4 1/2 Litre Erdmann & Rossi | 1937 | |
| C | 38 | Bugatti | 57 D'Ieteren | 1938 | |
| D | 40 | Bentley | Mk VI Coupé Mulliner | 1949 | Trofeo Julius Baer (exception craftmanship) |
| D | 42 | Ferrari | 212 Export Vignale | 1951 | Honorary registration |
| D | 44 | Fiat | 8V Vignale | 1953 | |
| D | 46 | Jaguar | XK 120 SE FHC Pinin Farina | 1954 | |
| D | 48 | Chevrolet | Corvette Scaglietti | 1959 | |
| D | 50 | Ferrari | 250 GT Berlinetta SWB | 1960 | Class victory |
| D | 52 | Alfa Romeo | 33/2 Stradale | 1968 | Coppa d'Oro (audience award), Trofeo ASI (best preserved post-war), Trofeo BMW Group Italia |
| E | 54 | Jaguar | C-Type | 1952 | |
| E | 56 | Ferrari | 750 Monza | 1956 | |
| E | 58 | Aston Martin | DB3S | 1955 | |
| E | 60 | Ferrari | 335 Sport | 1958 | Best of Show, class victory |
| E | 62 | Ferrari | 250 GTO | 1962 | Trofeo Vranken Pommery (best iconic car) |
| E | 64 | Porsche | 904 Carrera GTS | 1964 | Honorary registration |
| E | 66 | Abarth | 2000 Sport SE 010 | 1969 | |
| F | 68 | Scat | 25/35 HP | 1913 | Class victory, Trofeo FIVA Unesco (best preserved) |
| F | 70 | Fiat | 8V Rappi | 1954 | |
| F | 72 | Fiat | 500 Spiaggia | 1958 | |
| F | 74 | Iso | Grifo GL 350 | 1967 | |
| F | 76 | Lamborghini | Miura P400 SV | 1971 | Honorable mention, Trofeo Auto & Design (most exciting design) |
| G | 78 | Delage | D8-120 Chapron | 1939 | |
| G | 80 | Cadillac | Series 62 Coupé Ghia | 1953 | |
| G | 82 | BMW | 507 | 1958 | |
| G | 84 | Aston Martin | DB5 '007' | 1964 | Honorary registration |
| G | 86 | Ferrari | 500 Superfast | 1965 | |
| G | 88 | Lancia | Stratos Bertone | 1970 | Class victory, Trofeo BMW Group Ragazzi |
| H | 90 | Maserati | 250F | 1954 | Honorary registration |
| H | 92 | Porsche | 718/2 | 1960 | |
| H | 94 | Lotus | 21 | 1961 | |
| H | 96 | BRM | P-180 | 1972 | |
| H | 98 | Tyrrell | P34 | 1977 | |
| H | 100 | Alfa Romeo | 182 | 1982 | |
| H | 102 | McLaren | MP4/2B | 1985 | Class victory |
