We were hoping that this year's Concorso d' Elegance at Villa d’Este on Lake Como would be held on a beautiful weekend with sunshine and warm temperatures.
But bad weather, rain, and a cold atmosphere invaded the shores of Lake Como, surely not the best weather for the stunning collection of cars gathered for the yearly Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este in Cernobbio.
The event, sponsored by BMW, was recreated in 1999 in order maintain the tradition of the oldest car elegance concourse in the world. The show at the famous Villa d'Este was established in 1929, exactly in the same wonderful place as it is held today.
Today the event displays both the old classic models and the latest prototypes. Like the Monterey Historics, every a year specific brand or a specific anniversary is celebrated.
This year was the 50th birthday of the BMW 503 and 507 and of the BMW Isetta. Even more interesting was a fantastic show of many Pininfarina's prototypes to celebrate the 75th anniversary of this very famous Italian coach builder.
Ferrari, of course, was well represented. A 212 Export Vignale of 1951 captured the Best in Show by the visiting jury. (Unfortunately, I could not take any photos of the car because when I visited the exhibition it was raining very hard and the cabrio cars were cautiously covered).
Another Ferrari, this time a 410 SA (0479SA) of 1956, won the prize for the best Pininfarina body, while a 250 California Scaglietti of 1959, a 250 berlinetta speciale Pinifarina of 1955 and the 375MM (0490AM) Pininfarina all were winners of special Diplomas from the jury.
There were other very interesting Italian cars attending the event including two Maserati A6Gs, one with Zagato body and one with Pininfarina body. Alfa Romeo cars included the 6C 2300B of 1938 to the post war 1900 and the Bertone's fantastic prototype Canguro of 1964.
Lancia displayed mainly recent sport models, but there were two Aurelias: one saloon by Allemano of 1952 and one more common B24 spider Pininfarina.
Also Lamborghini and Iso Rivolta appeared, but with normal production cars like the Miura and the Grifo.
The 75th anniversary of Pininfarina was celebrated with an incredible collection of prototypes from the early Lancia to the new prototype Maserati Birdcage: for a Ferrari enthusiast it is incredible to see side by side the Modulo and the P6 with a Dino just nearby.
Unfortunately, due to the rain, all the Pininfarina open cars (including the wonderful Rossa of 2000) are covered by plastic sheets and this made the work of your photographer practically impossible.
Entrants came from Europe and Great Britain, and included a number of Rolls Royce Silver Clouds, and from Germany, the above-mentioned BMW 503 and 507, as well as the BMW Isetta, built by BMW under license from Iso Rivolta.
We heard some interesting news is from Bertone.
The company is offering a new service called "Bertone Classic": it is a restoration service done directly in the factory by qualified personnel with the latest technologies and the original drawings. This kind of high level service will add additional value to the restored vehicles.
April 21st 2006 is the date for the next event: perhaps there will be better weather and, if possible, even better cars……arrivederci a Cernobbio !
Alfa 6c2300B with
coachwork by Ramseier about 1938. Owned by Lutziger.
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Mr. Lopresto entered this 6C2500SS with a Touring body.
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Zagato's effort on the Alfa 1900SS, circa 1954, owned by Paul Schouwenburg.
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From out of the past
to the future, Maserati Birdcage, 2005 prototype. May it be.
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Dino Prototype
by Pininfarina, 1967.
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Ferrari 375AM, serial number 0490 AM, owned by Del Arroz from the U.S.
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SuperAmerica 410, serial number 0479SA, also an entry from the U.S.
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1955 250GT, currently residing with Mr. Tamboer.
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Peter Kalikow's 250 LTW California on the shores of Lake Como.
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Fiat 1100 with a Farinia body, built in 1947, owned today by Mr. Cinotti.
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Di Bello's 1954 Fiat V8 with body by Zagato.
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BMW built Isetta's under license in the mid Fifties.
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Allemano bodied this Lancia Aurelia in 1952.
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Battista Pininfarina's favorite car, the Lancia Aurelia Florida, 1957.
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A6GC Maserati Zagato owned by Bookout.
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A6GC Maserati by Pininfarina, 1954.
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Lambos made an appearance, this the Miura owned by Maret.
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Pininfarina Ferrari Module, 1970.
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P6 Ferrari Prototype.
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