Car beauty contests, also known as "Concorso d'Eleganza", have a long tradition; they were held even before the Second World War, and in the 1950s they became a popular gathering for the rich and beautiful, who presented their vehicles and the latest fashions at the same time, which brought joy to both men and women.
Events at which vehicles can be shown and judged on their beauty and condition have also been crowd-pullers in the classic car environment for years.
For the sixth time
The professionally organized "Italiauto" event, which was held for the sixth time on 5 May 2013, takes place annually in the beautiful town of Wangen an der Aare and is geared towards Italian cars that are at least thirty years old.
Every year, owners of interesting and rare creations from the Italian automotive industry answer the call of Urs Vogel and his team and show off their treasures around the Salzhaus in Wangen.
From eight o'clock in the morning, the owners set up their cars in the cordoned-off area of the old town and enjoyed the admiration of the numerous spectators in beautiful, if somewhat cool, spring weather.
Round trip in a beautiful spring landscape
To do justice to the fact that cars are built for driving and not for standing still, the participants were able to take a guided tour of the area around Wangen after lunch.
The route was around 10 km long and led along small roads through the spring blossom and picturesque villages. Unfortunately, not all the cars took part in the drive, which meant that the public along the route could not enjoy the full range of attractions.
Guest of honor Lancia Club Switzerland
The Lancia Club Suisse was invited as the official guest club in 2013 and displayed not only the entire Beta series but also a Lancia Stratos and three selected models from the Aurelia generation in the Salzhaus.
The Ansaldo 4CS from 1924
Few people are familiar with the car manufacturer Ansaldo, which produced sporty vehicles between 1921 and 1931 until the company was taken over by O.M.. In the late 1920s, the 4CS model offered a sophisticated vehicle in two wheelbases, which also achieved racing honors under the young Tazio Nuvolari, among others.
The fact that an Ansaldo 4CS from 1924 could be shown can certainly be seen as one of the highlights of the Italiauto 2013 meeting, especially because the car was in beautiful condition and rightly received the trophy as the winner of the pre-war category. As an "S" model, the Ansaldo can rely on the more powerful engine (48 hp at around 3,000 rpm) and wire wheels instead of wooden spoke wheels. The 1,981 cm3 engine has an overhead camshaft with king-shaft drive. It is shifted via a three-speed gearbox and decelerated by cable-operated drum brakes. The current owner bought the car in 2000 and had it thoroughly restored over a period of three years.
Rare early Fiat models
Three rare pre-war classics from Fiat bore witness to the roots of this Italian manufacturer. Firstly, there was the small Topolino Monoposto, which produced around 20 hp from 560 cm3 as early as 1936, making it ideal for use on the racetrack.
The Fiat 501 Torpedo from 1925 was intended more for touring drivers, a pretty open pre-war car with great details.
The Fiat 508 Balilla from 1935 can be considered extremely future-oriented, as Fiat and Simca vehicles were built on its basic design until the 1950s.
The forgotten limousines
What sets the Italiauto meeting apart from other events is the fact that it also showcases former mass-produced vehicles and saloons, which are definitely worth seeing among the sports cars that are of course also present.
When do you ever see the saloon versions of the Lancia Fulvia or the Lancia Beta? Where do the Fiat 850 Special Berlina and the Fiat 127, which were part of the everyday street scene 20, 30 or more years ago.
And even though not even thirty years have passed since the last examples were produced, the Fiat Ritmo is hardly to be seen any more. All the better that a Ritmo Abarth 125 TC, bought new at the time, was driven by the first owner, who has remained loyal to the car to this day, and went on to win the trophy for the 1972-1982 saloons. Even the protective skins on the seats and the Miura rear blinds that were frequently fitted at the time could not stop the jury from honoring this car.
Carlo Abarth's personal sports car
While the Fiat Ritmo Abarth became an Abarth primarily through its lettering, the 1965 Fiat Abarth Allemano on display in Wangen once even belonged to the master himself, Carlo Abarth.
High-quality bodywork by Allemano and striking with beautiful details, this Abarth was also a fast touring car on the road, thanks to the 152 hp produced by the engine borrowed from the Fiat 2300 S, which had been upgraded.
The factory racing car Alfa Romeo RL from 1924
An authentic works racing car, which was sent into the racing battles of the 1920s for Alfa Romeo, was chosen as the "Best of Show" winner of the day and the winner of the "Racing Cars" category. And rightly so, because not only did the 1924 Alfa Romeo RL look as it did when it took part in the Targa Florio or circuit races of the time, it also behaved in a well-mannered and reliable manner and drove up to the prize-giving ceremony twice without complaint. And even the proud owner had adapted his clothing to the era and presented a harmonious picture.
Difficult evaluation task for the jury
The jury, which included Roger Gloor, Adriano Cimarosti and Ferdinand Hediger, did not have an easy task. "They're all so beautifully restored, what's there to complain about," said Cimarosti as he looked at an Alfa Romeo. In fact, the standard was high and the assessment was not easy.
The main criteria assessed were the quality of the condition and restoration, while elegance, rarity and existing accessories could only have a minor impact on the evaluation. Another important criterion, however, was the original condition, so subsequent improvements were deducted. In principle, a vehicle can only receive a prize at the Italiauto-Concorso once in its life, so there are no repeat offenders at vehicle level. But there are repeat owners, because some collectors show a different vehicle every year and thus have the chance to take home one of the trophies again.
The winners of the Concorso d'Eleganza
Prizes/cups were awarded in 15 categories. In addition to the winners already mentioned, a Fiat 500 C Belvedere from 1953 received one of the coveted awards in the "Fiat 500 Topolino" category.
A Lancia Aurelia B10 from 1951 won in the "Berlina 1951-1970" category, while the Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Zagato from 1962 took the trophy in the 1961-1969 series coupés category.
An Alfa Romeo GT Junior 1300 emerged as the best of the 1971-1980 production coupés, while a 1964 Maserati 3500 GTI Sebring converted from fuel injection to carburetor was named the most beautiful of the luxury coupés built between 1964 and 1965.
The De Tomaso Longchamps from 1979 impressed the jury the most among the luxury coupés from 1974 to 1982 and a beautiful Maserati Ghibli 4900 SS from 1970 came out on top among the two-seater luxury coupés from 1965 to 1980.
The 1956 Lancia Aurelia B24 convertible was also a deserving winner in the 1956-1968 convertible category. Years ago, it was driven to a garage in western Switzerland after a seemingly harmless breakdown. But instead of repairing the damage, the Citroën and Aurelia specialist suggested a restoration with the aim of creating the most beautiful car in the world and then took four years to do so. Not only did the owner have to pay the bills, he also had to do without his vehicle for a long time, but the result made up for the effort.
Among the new convertibles from 1973-1982, a Pininfarina Spider from 1982 was honored.
The Lancia Fulvia 1300 HFR from 1968, which once took part in the Monte Carlo Rally and the Alpine Rally, received a special prize from the jury for the most perfectly restored works racing car.
And finally, an Autobianchi Bianchinia Furconcina from 1967 received the ladies' prize. The public chose the 1965 Alfa Romeo 2600 Sprint Bertone as "their" winner.
List of participants
The following list shows the registered participating vehicles. The table can be sorted by clicking on the column headings.
| No. | Make | Model | Year of construction | Engine capacity | Special features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | De Tomaso | Pantera | |||
| 2 | Fiat | Topolino C | 1954 | 569 | |
| 3 | De Tomaso | Pantera GT5 S | 1980 | 5769 | |
| 4 | De Tomaso | Longchamp Series III | 1979 | 5769 | Winner category luxury coupes 1974-1982 |
| 5 | Fiat | Topolino C Belvedere | 1953 | 489 | Winner category Fiat 500 Topolino |
| 6 | Alfa Romeo | 2000 Spider | 1980 | 1961 | never restored; 30 years in family ownership |
| 7 | Fiat | Ritmo Abarth 125 TC | 1982 | 1995 | all original, in first ownership, winner category Berline 1972-1982 |
| 8 | Alfa Romeo | 2600 Sprint | 1965 | 2584 | |
| 9 | Alfa Romeo | Spider Duetto 1600 | 1966 | 1570 | |
| 10 | Pininfarina | 124 Spider Eurosprinter | 1982 | 1995 | |
| 11 | De Tomaso | Longchamp | 1978 | 5769 | Rarity |
| 12 | Lancia | Flaminia GT Touring | 1965 | 2775 | |
| 13 | Fiat | 1500 Convertible | 1965 | 1480 | |
| 14 | Fiat | 600-750 | 1962 | 633 | |
| 15 | Lancia | Aurelia Convertible | 1956 | 2451 | elaborate, original restoration during 4 years, winner category convertibles 1956-1968 |
| 16 | Lamborghini | Urraco 250 S | 1974 | 2463 | First possession Italian embassy in Auckland, not on site |
| 17 | Fiat | 850 Special Berlina | 1970 | 843 | unrestored, 2nd hand |
| 18 | Ferrari | 365 GTC4 | 1973 | 4390 | Motor show from 1973 |
| 19 | Fiat | Topolino Monoposto | 1936 | 560 | only known monoposto racing car |
| 20 | Ansaldo | 4 CS | 1924 | 1981 | Winner category pre-war cars up to 1940 |
| 21 | Fiat | Topolino C | 1949 | 569 | |
| 22 | Alfa Romeo | GT Junior 1300 | 1971 | 1290 | Family-owned since 1971, winner of the 1971-1980 production coupé category |
| 23 | Maserati | Kyalami | 1977 | 4134 | |
| 24 | Alfa Romeo | GTV 1750 | 1969 | 1779 | |
| 25 | Fiat | X 1/9 | 1981 | 1499 | |
| 26 | Maserati | 8CM | 1933 | 2991 | Best of Show 2012 |
| 27 | Fiat | Abarth Allemanno | 1965 | 2323 | Carlo Abarth's personal touring car |
| 28 | Alfa Romeo | Giulietta Sprint | 1962 | 1290 | was restored by the Zagato family, winner of the 1961-1969 production coupé category |
| 29 | Alfa Romeo | Giulietta Sprint Speciale | 1961 | 1290 | |
| 30 | Alfa Romeo | Giulia Super | 1970 | 1600 | Racing touring car |
| 31 | Alfa Romeo | 1750 Spider | 1968 | 1779 | |
| 32 | Alfa Romeo | Giulia 1600 SS | 1964 | 1570 | Design Franco Scalglione |
| 33 | Alfa Romeo | Giulia Super | 1967 | 1570 | |
| 34 | Alfa Romeo | Giulia GTV 1600 | 1966 | 1570 | Edge cover |
| 35 | Alfa Romeo | Giulietta Spider | 1962 | 1290 | |
| 36 | Alfa Romeo | Giulia Sprint GT | 1964 | 1570 | Sliding roof |
| 37 | Lancia | Flavia | 1967 | 1800 | |
| 38 | Fiat | 501 Torpedo | 1925 | 1460 | |
| 39 | Maserati | Mistral | 1966 | 4014 | Lucas injection, dual ignition |
| 40 | Fiat | 127 Sport | 1979 | 1050 | |
| 41 | Fiat | 124 Sport Spider | 1974 | 1756 | |
| 42 | De Tomaso | Pantera | 1973 | 5769 | |
| 43 | Fiat | 500 F | 1967 | 499 | |
| 44 | Serenissima | Jet Competizione | 1965 | 2996 | unfortunately not on site |
| 45 | Autobianchi | Bianchina | 1967 | 499 | Winner ladies prize |
| 46 | Fiat | Topolino C | 1953 | 569 | |
| 47 | Fiat | 127 A1 | 1980 | 1048 | |
| 48 | Alfa Romeo | Giulia Spider | 1964 | 1570 | |
| 49 | Alfa Romeo | 2600 Sprint | 1965 | 2584 | Club Alfa Romeo Tempo Passati, Public Prize |
| 50 | Alfa Romeo | Giulia Spider | 1963 | 1570 | |
| 51 | Alfa Romeo | Giulia GTV Sprint | 1966 | 1570 | Club Alfa Romeo Tempo Passati |
| 52 | Fiat | 127 Sport | 1979 | 1050 | Alloy wheels, lowering |
| 53 | Alfa Romeo | Giulia | 1977 | 1290 | |
| 54 | Lancia | Montecarlo | 1980 | 1995 | |
| 55 | Maserati | Ghibli SS | 1970 | 4930 | Winner category luxury two-seater 1965-1980 |
| 56 | Alfa Romeo | RL Targa Florio | 1924 | 2996 | Works racing car, Best of Show 2013 and winner of the racing car category |
| 57 | Alfa Romeo | 2600 Spider | 1963 | 2584 | restored by hand |
| 58 | Lancia | 2000 Berlina | 1972 | 1990 | |
| 59 | Lamborghini | Countach LP 400 S | 1979 | 3229 | 1st owner F. Lamborghini personally |
| 60 | De Tomaso | Pantera | 1973 | 5769 | Thread chassis, Willwood brakes |
| 61 | Maserati | Kyalami | 1982 | 4930 | |
| 62 | Lancia | Fulvia Sport 13S | 1969 | 1298 | |
| 63 | Fiat | 500 L | 1975 | 594 | |
| 64 | Fiat | 124 Coupé BC 1 | 1971 | 1608 | Family owned since 1972 |
| 65 | Maserati | 3500 GTI Sebring | 1964 | 3485 | No. 1 in Series 2, winner of the luxury coupé category 1964-1965 |
| 66 | Fiat | 850 Sport Coupé | 1971 | 903 | |
| 67 | Alfa Romeo | Giulia | 1965 | 1570 | |
| 68 | Lancia | Fulvia Zagato | 1972 | 1298 | |
| 69 | Alfa Romeo | Montreal | 1975 | 2593 | |
| 70 | Pininfarina | Spider | 1982 | 1995 | Winner category Cabriolets 1973-1982 |
| 71 | Fiat | 1500 Berlina | 1965 | 1478 | |
| 72 | Fiat | 124 CSO Spider | 1981 | 1998 | unrestored original condition |
| 73 | Fiat | 508 Balilla | 1935 | 995 | |
| 74 | Fiat | 124 Spider | 1980 | 1998 | Good condition |
| 75 | Lancia | Fulvia Berlina | 1972 | 1298 | |
| 76 | Alfa Romeo | GTV Bertone | 1973 | 1962 | |
| 77 | Lancia | Aurelia B10 | 1951 | 1754 | exhibited in the Salzhaus, winner category Berlina 1951-1970 |
| 78 | Lancia | 137 AS | 1980 | 1995 | exhibited in the Salzhaus |
| 79 | Lancia | Fulvia 1300 HFR | 1968 | 1298 | Winner of the special category "perfectly restored factory racing cars" |
| 80 | Fiat | 128 3P | 1978 | 1290 | |
| 81 | Lancia | Fulvia Zagato | 1973 | 1600 | |
| 82 | Fiat | 508 C Balilla | 1948 | 1100 | Opposite opening doors, fuel economy button |
| 83 | Alfa Romeo | 2000 GTV | 1974 | 2000 | |
| 84 | Alfa Romeo | Giulia Spider | 1967 | 1600 | Original interior, partially restored |
| 86 | Alfa Romeo | 2000 GTV | 1961 |
