Villa d’Este as seen by Hugues Vanhoolandt

Villa d'Este provides a backdrop second to none.

What better place than the lawns of Villa d’Este to show an Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 - Villa d’Este? This model, one of 36 examples, is the last handmade Alfa Romeos, and is named for the Villa d”Este Concours where it won an award.

Bandini produced sports and racing cars in small quantites. The 750 Siluro of Alex Vazeos was successful in the USA in the late 50’s with several championship titles.

Although the basic 750 Siluro was often equipped with a 45 hp engine, this car is fitted with the DOHC 70 hp engine of its successor, the “Saponetta”.

Among the many Ferraris in attendance at Villa d’Este, the 212 Export of Jack Croul was first shown at the 1951 Paris Motor Show. During its life, it received another engine, as was very common in those days. It is now reunited with the original engine.

After being dismantled and stored for decades in Sweden, the 250 GT Tour de France of Peter McCoy is now back to its original splendor.

This 250 GT SWB is unique in the fact that it shows special features such as special door handles, chromed vents, power windows, etc.

This is the prototype of the 500 Superfast and was first shown at the 1964 Geneva Motor Show. Recently restored to its original condition, it won its class here at Villa d’Este.

Born as a Dino 166P, s/n 0834 received a 2 litre V6 engine after the 1965 24 hours of Le Mans to participate in the European Hillclimb championship. It won in the hands of Ludovico Scarfiotti.

First shown at Geneva in 1965, the 250 LM ‘Stradale’ then left for the USA where it remained until now. It is equipped with electric windows and leather seats.

The Fiat 8V remains the only Fiat ever fitted with a V8 engine. Its designation, 8V, was chosen to avoid any legal problems with other manufacturers of V8 models.

Sharing the same mechanics as the Fiat 8V, the Siata 208S was sold almost exclusively in the USA. This car, the last to be produced, won the Mention of Honor in its class, entitled ‘California Dreamin’.

Where it all began - the very first Lamborghini, the 350 GTV prototype, made a rare appearance at Villa d’Este 50 years after its presentation at the Turin motor show.

Lamborghini had its own class at Villa d’Este, in honor of its 50th birthday;a good occasion to see some rare cars like this one of two 350 GTS, hidden since its presentation at the 1965 Turin Motor Show.

Another one-off Lamborghini was the 1966 400 GT “Flying Star”, also built by Touring.

Bertone than took the hand on designing the next Lamborghinis and made a hit when presenting the Miura in 1966. This is a 1972 SV model.

Another Bertone realization was the 1978 Lancia Sibilo, based on the Stratos. It was so futuristic that it remained a concept car.

On the Maserati front, there was a nice display of A6Gs like the A6G 2000 Frua Cabriolet, only five examples built.

This A6G/54 Zagato spider was ordered new by Argentinian President Juan Peron, but never delivered.

Another example of the A6G/54 spider, this time bodied by Frua in 1956.

Elegance is everywhere at Villa d’Este.

Best in Show by the Jury and Best of Show by Public Referendum; where the stunning Bugatti 57SC Atlantic appears, it earns all the prizes. This example is the fourth and last produced.

Proud owner Ralph Lauren was there to receive his awards.

There was also a Concept Cars and Prototypes class in which Zagato showed its TZ3 Stradale.

The Pininfarina ‘Sergio’ made its second appearance after its first outing at Geneva this year.

Touring presented the first ‘production’ version of the Alfa Romeo 8C-based Disco Volante.

It’s time to leave but we will be back!