The Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este is always a spectacular event with its presentation of rare historic automobiles against the backdrop of Lake Como in Cernobbio. The October 2021 edition of the world's most prestigious event for historic vehicles was particularly exclusive because, after an unintentionally long break, all participants were finally able to experience the invigorating energy and joy that only comes when you can actually get together.
Due to this year's postponement of the competition to the fall, the preparation time for the next edition of the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, which will take place from May 20 to 22, 2022, is exceptionally short. Owners of classic vehicles are now invited to register for the upcoming competition.
50 classic automobiles
The high-caliber Selecting Committee has begun choosing the participating vehicles and is looking forward to receiving detailed entries. The first six vehicle classes for the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2022 have already been defined. In addition, entries are also being accepted for the competition in the Concept Cars and Prototypes category.
The traditional beauty contest is jointly organized by BMW Group Classic and the Grand Hotel Villa d'Este. In 2022, around 50 classic automobiles with a special history will once again compete for victory in their category as well as for the traditional Coppa d'Oro Villa d'Este and the coveted Trofeo BMW Group for the "Best of Show".
Particularly beautiful and elegant automobiles were first presented in a competition on the grounds of the Grand Hotel Villa d'Este back in 1929. The tradition of the venue goes back even further.
The iconic Grand Hotel Villa d'Este on Lake Como was built as a cardinal's palace in the 16th century. Since 1873, the imposing property, furnished with numerous works of art and set in a magnificent park, has served as a luxury hotel for particularly discerning guests from all over the world.
Grand Hotel anniversary
In 2022, the Grand Hotel Villa d'Este will enter its 150th season. The Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este is celebrating this special anniversary with its own vehicle class.
Under the motto "And The Winner Is...: A Celebration of Villa d'Este's 150th Season", vehicles that have gone down in the history of the competition as winners of the Coppa d'Oro Villa d'Este or the trophy for the "Best of Show" since it was first held in 1929 will be presented.
50 years of BMW Motorsport GmbH
The third anniversary to be celebrated at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este concerns a single letter and a company with a special connection to motorsport.
BMW Motorsport GmbH was founded 50 years ago. Today, the BMW Group subsidiary is known as BMW M GmbH.
One of the milestones in its history is the first independently developed vehicle, which was presented in 1978 and called the BMW M1 for short. The subsequent development of engines for Formula 1 and the development of the most successful touring car in the history of motorsport, the BMW M3, continued the impressive history of BMW M GmbH, which will be documented at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2022 with the competition class "Mean Machinery: 50 Years of BMW M".
Carriages become cars
The class "The Carriage Becomes a Car" is dedicated to the exciting transformation that took place in the early days of the automobile around 120 years ago. This is because the first motorized vehicles had no role models other than the horse-drawn carriages and hackney carriages that had been common means of transport until then. In these first three decades, the achievements of the engineers responsible reached new milestones and best performances in ever faster succession, which also made the design more sophisticated. By the end of the 1920s, the automobile fulfilled a growing number of functions and became an impressive design object that left its mark on its time. A look back at this development already promises to be impressive and eye-opening.
Slippery
With the technological foundations successfully laid, the designers of the following decade were able to specialize in their work and concentrate on new details. The "Speed Shapes Form" class focuses on particularly well thought-out and aerodynamically optimized body concepts from the period between 1930 and 1940.
Their lines were increasingly oriented towards streamlining and speed, strongly influenced by the early days of aviation. With the futuristic style of these vehicles, the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2022 also looks back on a decade of brilliant engineering achievements.
75 years of Ferrari sports cars
Another anniversary will be honored at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2022 with a special look at the Ferrari brand. The Italian car manufacturer will be 75 years old. The extraordinary history of this brand will be brought to life with its own competition category: "The Cavallino at 75: Eight Decades of Ferrari Represented in Eight Icons".
Each vehicle will thus represent the visions of a decade and the corresponding technological excellence. For the first time, special models from the recent past bearing the legendary "Cavallino rampante" brand logo will also be exhibited.
300 km/h class
Speed has always had a magical effect on automobile fans. Since the invention of the automobile, increased top speeds have been seen as a sign of technological progress and the key to success.
After breaking through the 150 km/h barrier relatively early on, it took considerable engineering skill to reach and exceed the 300 km/h speed mark. Under the title "Breaking the Speed Barrier! The First Machines to Cross the 300 kph Threshold", these technological achievements will be honored at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2022 with a separate class.
The opening of registration marks the start of the nomination phase, during which owners of exceptional historic cars are invited to register their vehicles to take part in the competition. This applies not only to classic cars that can compete in one of the six categories already defined, but also to other outstanding rarities.
Further information is available on the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este website, where vehicle owners can of course also register.
