7 minute read
Concorso D’Eleganza Villa d’Este
Written by Bridget Williams
Ogling a hand-picked gathering of the world’s most desired vintage and concept automobiles is certainly a covetable experience on its own, but take this same assemblage and scatter it throughout the grounds of the Grand Hotel Villa d’Este in the town of Cernobbio, Italy, on the banks of Lake Como, and you have a car show without reproach. Held for the first time in 1929 and under the patronage of the BMW Group since 1999, the event draws entrants and onlookers from around the globe. New this year was the addition of a motorcycle competition, a Saturday evening auction of 32 extraordinary cars by RM Auctions, and a second public viewing day at nearby Villa Erba.
“Our aim was to take this long-established event into new territory while preserving its character,” said Karl Baumer, President of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este and Director of BMW Group Classic, outlining the reasons behind the changes.
Rolls-Royce had a selection of Phantom, Phantom Drophead Coupé, Phantom Coupé and Ghost models on display. Photo by Eric Williams.
“The main initiative we introduced to give people extra opportunity to visit the Concorso was the addition of a second public day,” continued Baumer. Dr. Jean-Marc Droulers, President of Villa d’Este S.p.A., also declared himself pleased with the weekend: “We’ve seen cars and motorcycles which made our hearts beat a little faster – both within the small, exclusive environs of the Villa d’Este and together with the wider public at the Villa Erba.”
During the Saturday exhibition, as Riva yachts and J Craft boats bobbed at their moorings near Villa d’Este’s floating swimming pool – their ultra-lacquered mahogany decks glassier than the wind-chopped lake surface – music from a jazz quartet provided the afternoon’s soundtrack, interrupted only occasionally by the whooshing of helicopter blades that announced the arrival of a VIP guest.
Fashionably dressed owners and a few pampered pooches meandered the grounds, seeking solace from the midday sun under the leafy canopy of a mature tree or the hotel’s covered terrace. Following lunch, a narrated parade of automobiles allowed guests to appreciate the beauty and history of each example.
Guests enjoyed an alfresco luncheon while enjoying the parade of historic motorcars at Villa d’Este. Swedish powerboat manufacturer J Craft partnered with Rolls-Royce to offer VIP excursions on both land and water. Photo by Eric Williams.
Representing the full spectrum of motoring interests, both past, and future, was a selection of concept cars from Ferrari, Audi, Mercedes Benz, Infiniti, Renault, Scuderia, MINI, and Rolls-Royce. “The concept cars at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este represent a rare opportunity to see these prototypes in close proximity, outside the context of the dazzle of the international motor exhibition circuit, a chance to examine their details, features, and form in the natural light close up in the reality of the outside world,” said Baumer. Some, such as the electric Rinspeed Bamboo, clearly harkened to the past, calling to mind a Fiat Jolly, while others, such as the electric DeZir by Renault, boasted space-age styling with a pod-like interior.
In just over two hours, RM Auctions Saturday night sale treated a discerning international audience to one of the most significant offerings of collector cars presented in recent auction history, including the highly anticipated sale of six unique Bertone concept cars. Headlined by the wild 1967 Lamborghini Marzal, a predecessor to the Espada, for €1,512,000, total sales for the collection surpassed €3.6 million, with numerous lots far-exceeding expectations. Among the handpicked selection of 32 motorcars, six automobiles achieved individual millioneuro-plus results, with two lots surpassing €3 million.
Top sale honors went to a stunning 1955 Ferrari 375 MM Berlinetta for €3,360,000, along with a breathtaking, concours-quality 1938 Talbot-Lago T150-C SS Teardrop Coupé, which sold for €3,136,000. “Never has a car been more at home in its surroundings than the Talbot Lago T150-C SS was at our Villa d’Este sale,” said Max Girardo, managing director, RM Europe. “It was a perfect fit for an event themed on showcasing the ultimate in elegance and sophistication in styling.”
Top sale honor during RM Auctions Saturday night sale went to a stunning 1955 Ferrari 375 MM Berlinetta.
Sunday’s public viewing at Villa Erba included an exhibition in the contemporary steel and glass Congress Centre commemorating the 75th anniversary of the BMW 328; a collection of MINI’s with exteriors reimagined in all sorts of wild and wonderful colors by the likes of Calvin Klein, Diane von Furstenberg, and Kenneth Cole; and a celebration of 100 years of Rolls-Royce’s Spirit of Ecstasy bonnet figurine.
The jury awarded the Trofeo BMW Group, and with it Best in Show honors, to a 1968 Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale, while the time-honored Coppa d’Oro prize decided by public referendum went to an Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS from 1942. The “Concept Cars and Prototypes” category was won by the Aston Martin Zagato, which was celebrating its world premiere at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. Another model making its debut at the event was the BMW 328 Hommage, unveiled by the Bavarian company to mark the 75th birthday of its iconic BMW 328 sports car from the 1930s.
Famed collector Corrado Lopresto was the winner of the Coppa d'Oro with his Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS from 1942, built by Bertone after a design from Mario Revelli di Beaumont.
An American Pierce Four from 1910 won the Trofeo BMW Group in the first Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este for motorcycles. After presenting the award, General Director of BMW Motorrad Hendrik von Kuenheim shifted the spotlight to plans for the years ahead: “We are looking to develop this Concours into a meeting point for all enthusiasts of motorcycle design. That fits in with both the tradition of the BMW motorcycle brand and the passion for bikes here in Italy.”
Special Prizes by the Jury
Trofeo BMW Group / Best in Show by the Jury Alfa Romeo, 33 Stradale, Berlinetta, Scaglione, 1968, Clive Joy, UK
Coppa d’Oro Villa d’Este / Best of Show by Public Referendum at Villa d’Este Alfa Romeo, 6C 2500 SS, Coupé, Bertone, 1942, Corrado Lopresto
Trofeo BMW Group Italia / By Public Referendum at Villa Erba Alfa Romeo, 33 Stradale, Berlinetta, Scaglione, 1968, Clive Joy, UK
Concorso d’Eleganza Design Award for Concept Cars & Prototypes / By Public Referendum at Villa Erba Aston Martin, Zagato, Coupé, 12 Cyl., 2011, Ulrich Bez, UK
Trofeo Rolls-Royce / To the most elegant Rolls-Royce by the Jury Rolls-Royce, Phantom II, Special Town Car, Brewster, 1933, Norbert Seeger, FL
Trofeo FIVA / To the best preserved pre war-car by the Jury Rolls-Royce, Phantom II, Special Town Car, Brewster, 1933, Norbert Seeger, FL
Trofeo ASI / To the best preserved post war-car by the Jury Mercedes-Benz, 300 SL, Roadster, Mercedes-Benz, 1962, Heiko Seekamp
Trofeo Automobile Club di Como / To the car driven from farthest away Bugatti 57 Ventoux, Coach, 1937, Andrea Capra, CH
Trofeo BMW Group Classic / For the most sensitive restoration by the Jury Aston Martin, DB5, Convertible, Touring, 1965, Jim Utaski, USA
Trofeo Rolls-Royce / To the most elegant Rolls-Royce by the Jury Rolls-Royce, Phantom II, Special Town Car, Brewster, 1933, Norbert Seeger, FL
Trofeo Vranken Pommery / To the best iconic car by the Jury Jaguar, E-Type Coupé, Jaguar, 1961, Christian J. Jenny, CH
Trofeo Foglizzo / The best interior design by the Jury Fiat, 8V, Berlinetta, Rapi, 1953, Martin Gruss, USA
Trofeo Auto & Design / To the most exciting design by the Jury Ford, GT40 MkII, Coupé, FAV, 1965, Claude Nahum, CH
Class Winners and Mention of Honor
Class A: CLOSED FOR COMFORT Talbot-Lago, T23, Coupé Royal, Figoni & Falaschi, 1938, Joseph Cantore, USA
Class B: OPEN SKY Delage, D8 S, Roadster, de Villars, 1933, James Patterson, USA
Class C: FIFTIES CHIC - CARS FOR THE JET SET Ferrari, 212 Export, Berlinetta, Vignale, 1951, Peter McCoy, USA
Class D: NEW DAWN - SMALL CAR, BIG PERFORMANCE Siata, 400 F, Berlinetta, Balbo, 1953, Jan De Reu
Class E: SWINGING SIXTIES STYLE Ferrari, 250 GT SWB California, Spider, Scaglietti, 1963, Jean-Pierre Slavic, CH
Class F: THE BIRTH OF THE SUPERCAR Alfa Romeo, 33 Stradale, Berlinetta, Scaglione, 1968, Clive Joy, UK
1953 Ferrari 375 MM Pininfarina Spyder
Class G: MASTERS OF CREATIVITY BMW, 2000 CS, Coupé, Karmann, 1966, Michael Ulbig
Class H: COLOUR AND SPEED - POST-WAR RACING ICONS Ferrari, 375 MM, Spider, Pinin Farina, 1953, Andreas Mohringer
2011 BMW 328 Hommage
