Automotive

Pictorial: The spectacular 2019 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este

Pictorial: The spectacular 2019 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este
The cars from Class A (Goodbye Roaring Twenties: The Birth Of The Concorso) sit in the foregound at Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este
The cars from Class A (Goodbye Roaring Twenties: The Birth Of The Concorso) sit in the foregound at Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este
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The winner of Class A - Goodbye Roaring Twenties: The Birth Of The Concorso - was this 1925 Vauxhall 30/98 Type OE Boattail Tourer owned by Peter Goodwin (US)
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The winner of Class A - Goodbye Roaring Twenties: The Birth Of The Concorso - was this 1925 Vauxhall 30/98 Type OE Boattail Tourer owned by Peter Goodwin (US)
The Honourable Mention in Class A - Goodbye Roaring Twenties: The Birth Of The Concorso - went to this 1928 Lancia Lambda Serie VIII Four-Seater Torpedo owned by Anthony MacLean (CH)
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The Honourable Mention in Class A - Goodbye Roaring Twenties: The Birth Of The Concorso - went to this 1928 Lancia Lambda Serie VIII Four-Seater Torpedo owned by Anthony MacLean (CH)
The winner of Class B: Fast Forward: A Quarter Century Of Progress, was David Sydorick's 1937 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Berlinetta. This car also won "best in show" as adjudged by both the public and the judges and is the subject of a separate feature article.
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The winner of Class B: Fast Forward: A Quarter Century Of Progress, was David Sydorick's 1937 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Berlinetta. This car also won "best in show" as adjudged by both the public and the judges and is the subject of a separate feature article.
The Honourable Mention in Class B: Fast Forward: A Quarter Century Of Progress, was this 1937 Bugatti 57 S Four-Seater Sports Tourer by Vanden Plas owned by Robert Kauffman. It was just Robert's luck to run up against the Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B which took aout the class. The Alfa won last year's Pebble Beach Concours, Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award at Retromobile in February, and both the public and judges awards for best in show at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este
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The Honourable Mention in Class B: Fast Forward: A Quarter Century Of Progress, was this 1937 Bugatti 57 S Four-Seater Sports Tourer by Vanden Plas owned by Robert Kauffman. It was just Robert's luck to run up against the Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B which took aout the class. The Alfa won last year's Pebble Beach Concours, Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award at Retromobile in February, and both the public and judges awards for best in show at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este
The honorable mention in Class C: Small And Perfectly Formed : The Coachbuilder's Art In Miniature, was this 1953 Abarth 205 Sport 1100 Berlinetta by Ghia, owned by Bradley Calkins
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The honorable mention in Class C: Small And Perfectly Formed : The Coachbuilder's Art In Miniature, was this 1953 Abarth 205 Sport 1100 Berlinetta by Ghia, owned by Bradley Calkins
The winner in Class D: A New Dawn: Into The Rock'n'roll Era, was this 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Coupé owned by Matthias Bonczkowitz (DE)
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The winner in Class D: A New Dawn: Into The Rock'n'roll Era, was this 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Coupé owned by Matthias Bonczkowitz (DE)
The winner in Class D: A New Dawn: Into The Rock'n'roll Era, was this 1953 Siata 208 S Spider Motto owned by Jan de Reu (BE)
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The winner in Class D: A New Dawn: Into The Rock'n'roll Era, was this 1953 Siata 208 S Spider Motto owned by Jan de Reu (BE)
The honorable mention in Class E: Swinging Sixties: The Sky's The Limit, was this 1960 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta SWB Competizione by Pininfarina, owned by William Loughan (GB)
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The honorable mention in Class E: Swinging Sixties: The Sky's The Limit, was this 1960 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta SWB Competizione by Pininfarina, owned by William Loughan (GB)
The winner in Class F: Baby You Can Drive My Car: Musical Stars' Cars, was this 1971 Lamborghini Miura P 400 S Coupé Bertone, owned by Luca Taino (IT)
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The winner in Class F: Baby You Can Drive My Car: Musical Stars' Cars, was this 1971 Lamborghini Miura P 400 S Coupé Bertone, owned by Luca Taino (IT)
The honorable mention in Class F: Baby You Can Drive My Car: Musical Stars' Cars, was this 1988 Porsche 959 Coupé, owned by Giovanni Andrea Innocenti (CH)
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The honorable mention in Class F: Baby You Can Drive My Car: Musical Stars' Cars, was this 1988 Porsche 959 Coupé, owned by Giovanni Andrea Innocenti (CH)
The winner in Class G: Speeding Against The Clock: Endurance Racing Legends, was this 1949 Ferrari 166 Mille Miglia Barchetta by Touring, owned by Brian Ross (US)
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The winner in Class G: Speeding Against The Clock: Endurance Racing Legends, was this 1949 Ferrari 166 Mille Miglia Barchetta by Touring, owned by Brian Ross (US)
The honorable mention in Class G: Speeding Against The Clock: Endurance Racing Legends, was this 1953 OSCA MT4 1450 Barchetta by Frua, owned by Hidetomo Kimura (JP)
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The honorable mention in Class G: Speeding Against The Clock: Endurance Racing Legends, was this 1953 OSCA MT4 1450 Barchetta by Frua, owned by Hidetomo Kimura (JP)
The Trofeo BMW Group Ragazzi went to the 1967 Lamborghini Marzal Four-Seater Coupé by Bertone. This trophy is awarded by "young peoples referendum" with voting restricted to people below the age of 16 years.
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The Trofeo BMW Group Ragazzi went to the 1967 Lamborghini Marzal Four-Seater Coupé by Bertone. This trophy is awarded by "young peoples referendum" with voting restricted to people below the age of 16 years.
The Trofeo BMW Group Ragazzi went to the 1967 Lamborghini Marzal Four-Seater Coupé by Bertone. The spectacular Lamborghini Marzal was a prototype designed at Bertone by Marcello Gandini when Ferruccio Lamborghini decided he wanted a proper four-seater beyond the existing 400GT 2+2. Built on an extended Miura chassis, the Marzal's engine was half of a Lamborghini 4.0 liter V12, making for a compact 175 bhp (130 kW) 2.0 liter inline-six engine, mated to a 5-speed transmission.
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The Trofeo BMW Group Ragazzi went to the 1967 Lamborghini Marzal Four-Seater Coupé by Bertone. The spectacular Lamborghini Marzal was a prototype designed at Bertone by Marcello Gandini when Ferruccio Lamborghini decided he wanted a proper four-seater beyond the existing 400GT 2+2. Built on an extended Miura chassis, the Marzal's engine was half of a Lamborghini 4.0 liter V12, making for a compact 175 bhp (130 kW) 2.0 liter inline-six engine, mated to a 5-speed transmission.
The winner of the Trofeo BMW Group Ragazzi was this 1967 Lamborghini Marzal Four-Seater Coupé by Bertone. Only one Marzal was ever produced, but both Dinky Toys and Matchbox made scale models of the car. The Marzal debuted to much fanfare and public acclaim at the 1967 Geneva Show and was famously driven by Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace on the parade lap at the 1967 Monaco Grand Prix.
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The winner of the Trofeo BMW Group Ragazzi was this 1967 Lamborghini Marzal Four-Seater Coupé by Bertone. Only one Marzal was ever produced, but both Dinky Toys and Matchbox made scale models of the car. The Marzal debuted to much fanfare and public acclaim at the 1967 Geneva Show and was famously driven by Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace on the parade lap at the 1967 Monaco Grand Prix. 
The Trofeo BMW Group Ragazzi went to the 1967 Lamborghini Marzal Four-Seater Coupé by Bertone. This trophy is awarded by "young peoples referendum" with voting restricted to people below the age of 16 years.
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The Trofeo BMW Group Ragazzi went to the 1967 Lamborghini Marzal Four-Seater Coupé by Bertone. This trophy is awarded by "young peoples referendum" with voting restricted to people below the age of 16 years.
The 1967 Lamborghini Marzal Four-Seater Coupé by Bertone, owned by Albert Spiess, Switzerland
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The 1967 Lamborghini Marzal Four-Seater Coupé by Bertone, owned by Albert Spiess, Switzerland
The honorable mention in Class H: Daring To Dream: Concepts Which Rocked The Motoring World, was this 1965 Vivant 77 Roadster, owned by Phillip Sarofim (US)
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The honorable mention in Class H: Daring To Dream: Concepts Which Rocked The Motoring World, was this 1965 Vivant 77 Roadster, owned by Phillip Sarofim (US)
Bugatti's one-off La Voiture Noire was the winner of the Concorso d'Eleganza Design Award for Concept Cars & Prototypes by Public Referendum
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Bugatti's one-off La Voiture Noire was the winner of the Concorso d'Eleganza Design Award for Concept Cars & Prototypes by Public Referendum
David Sydorick's 1937 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Touring Berlinetta. won its class and the Coppa d'Oro ('best in show' by public referendum) and Trofeo BMW Group ('best in show' by the Jury) at Villa d'Este. See separate article on the car and its remarkable success.
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David Sydorick's 1937 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Touring Berlinetta. won its class and the Coppa d'Oro ('best in show' by public referendum) and Trofeo BMW Group ('best in show' by the Jury) at Villa d'Este.  See separate article on the car and its remarkable success.
David and Ginny Sydorick won the Coppa d’Oro Villa d’Este (awarded to the “Best of Show” voted by public referendum) and the Trofeo BMW Group (awarded to the “Best of Show” by the Jury). See separate article on the car and its remarkable success.
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David and Ginny Sydorick won the Coppa d’Oro Villa d’Este (awarded  to the “Best of Show” voted by public referendum) and the Trofeo BMW Group (awarded  to the “Best of Show” by the Jury). See separate article on the car and its remarkable success.
Many visitors to Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este travel from their hotels by boat
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Many visitors to Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este travel from their hotels by boat
Automotive fashion at Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este
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Automotive fashion at Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este
Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este is by far the world's longest running Concours d'Elegance, celebrating its 90th year in 2019
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Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este is by far the world's longest running Concours d'Elegance, celebrating its 90th year in 2019
The cars from Class A (Goodbye Roaring Twenties: The Birth Of The Concorso) sit in the foregound at Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este
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The cars from Class A (Goodbye Roaring Twenties: The Birth Of The Concorso) sit in the foregound at Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este
The shores of Lake Como at Villa d'Este where the cars of Class B (Fast Forward: A Quarter Century Of Progress) and Class C (Small And Perfectly Formed: The Coachbuilder's Art In Miniature) are displayed
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The shores of Lake Como at Villa d'Este where the cars of Class B (Fast Forward: A Quarter Century Of Progress) and Class C (Small And Perfectly Formed: The Coachbuilder's Art In Miniature) are displayed
The cars from Class A (Goodbye Roaring Twenties: The Birth Of The Concorso) sit in the foregound at Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este
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The cars from Class A (Goodbye Roaring Twenties: The Birth Of The Concorso) sit in the foregound at Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este
The grounds of Villa d'Este, with the cars from Class B (Fast Forward: A Quarter Century Of Progress) and Class C (Small And Perfectly Formed: The Coachbuilder's Art In Miniature)
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The grounds of Villa d'Este, with the cars from Class B (Fast Forward: A Quarter Century Of Progress) and Class C (Small And Perfectly Formed: The Coachbuilder's Art In Miniature)
The cars are grouped in categories around the grounds of Villa d'Este. In the foreground are the cars of Class D: A New Dawn: Into The Rock'n'roll Era
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The cars are grouped in categories around the grounds of Villa d'Este. In the foreground are the cars of Class D: A New Dawn: Into The Rock'n'roll Era
No greater love ...
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No greater love ...
Some of the remarkable machinery displayed by BMW at Villa d'Erba along with the motorcycle exhibits. The 1934 BMW R7 concept was a one-off art deco concept which never saw production, but a Miami-based custom builder has recreated the R7 using the BMW R NineT as a base and you can buy one.
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Some of the remarkable machinery displayed by BMW at Villa d'Erba along with the motorcycle exhibits. The 1934 BMW R7 concept was a one-off art deco concept which never saw production, but a Miami-based custom builder has recreated the R7 using the BMW R NineT as a base and you can buy one.
While many drove or arrived by boat to Villa d'Este, the helicopter pad was in constant use also.
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While many drove or arrived by boat to Villa d'Este, the helicopter pad was in constant use also.
Rolls-Royce is one of the major sponsors of Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, and this year removed the veil of its latest Collection Car, the Wraith Eagle VIII.
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Rolls-Royce is one of the major sponsors of Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, and this year removed the veil of its latest Collection Car, the Wraith Eagle VIII.
The judges do their thing at Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este
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The judges do their thing at Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este
The presentation dinner at Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este
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The presentation dinner at Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este
At the presentation dinner at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este
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At the presentation dinner at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este
The spectacular grounds of Villa d'Este on Sunday afternoon
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The spectacular grounds of Villa d'Este on Sunday afternoon
The spectacular setting of Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este
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The spectacular setting of Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este
The grounds of Villa d’Este have been welcoming cars on an annual basis for 90 years
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The grounds of Villa d’Este have been welcoming cars on an annual basis for 90 years
We wrote about the Gyro-X before its restoration began in 2013, and we were thrilled to see it in its former splendor at Villa d'Este where it competed in Class H (Concepts which rocked the Motoring World). If you want to see it in the flesh, the Gyro-X now resides at the Lane Motor Museum (US) in Nashville, Tennessee.
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We wrote about the Gyro-X before its restoration began in 2013, and we were thrilled to see it in its former splendor at Villa d'Este where it competed in Class H (Concepts which rocked the Motoring World). If you want to see it in the flesh, the Gyro-X now resides at the Lane Motor Museum (US) in Nashville, Tennessee.
The single seat of the Gyro-X, which competed in Class H (Daring To Dream: Concepts Which Rocked The Motoring World). The cigar-shaped Gyro-X was good for 125 mph with an 80 hp 1275cc engine.
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The single seat of the Gyro-X, which competed in Class H (Daring To Dream: Concepts Which Rocked The Motoring World). The cigar-shaped Gyro-X was good for 125 mph with an 80 hp 1275cc engine.
For all its virtues, the Gyro-X doesn't have a roof
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For all its virtues, the Gyro-X doesn't have a roof 
The narrow-track Gyro-X garnered a lot of attention
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The narrow-track Gyro-X garnered a lot of attention
The Gyro-X was the subject of a feature story before its restoration began in 2013, and has now appeared at both Pebble Beach and at Villa d'Este where it competed in Class H (Concepts which rocked the Motoring World). The Gyro-X now resides at the Lane Motor Museum (US) in Nashville, Tennessee.
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The Gyro-X was the subject of a feature story before its restoration began in 2013, and has now appeared at both Pebble Beach and at Villa d'Este where it competed in Class H (Concepts which rocked the Motoring World). The Gyro-X now resides at the Lane Motor Museum (US) in Nashville, Tennessee.
The Gyro-X is visually arresting from any angle.
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The Gyro-X is visually arresting from any angle.
The Gyro-X on the red carpet at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2019
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The Gyro-X on the red carpet at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2019
This angle of the Gyro-X highlights just how small its frontal area is. Combine that with a low drag co-efficient and it is understandable that it returns such low fuel consumption and such high speeds with a small engine.
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This angle of the Gyro-X highlights just how small its frontal area is. Combine that with a low drag co-efficient and it is understandable that it returns such low fuel consumption and such high speeds with a small engine. 
The class winners at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2019: (from left to right) 1925 Vauxhall 30/98 Type OE Boattail Tourer, 1937 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Berlinetta by Touring, 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Coupé, 1949 Ferrari 166 Mille Miglia Barchetta by Touring, 1963 Fiat Abarth Monomille GT Coupé by Sibona-Basano, 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder SWB Spider by Pininfarina, and the 1967 Lamborghini Marzal Four-Seater Coupé by Bertone
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The class winners at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2019: (from left to right) 1925 Vauxhall 30/98 Type OE Boattail Tourer, 1937 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Berlinetta by Touring, 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Coupé, 1949 Ferrari 166 Mille Miglia Barchetta by Touring, 1963 Fiat Abarth Monomille GT Coupé by Sibona-Basano, 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder SWB Spider by Pininfarina, and the 1967 Lamborghini Marzal Four-Seater Coupé by Bertone
The winner in Class E: Swinging Sixties: The Sky's The Limit, was this 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder SWB Spider by Pininfarina, owned by Tony Vassilopoulos (GB)
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The winner in Class E: Swinging Sixties: The Sky's The Limit, was this 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder SWB Spider by Pininfarina, owned by Tony Vassilopoulos (GB)
The winner in Class E: Swinging Sixties: The Sky's The Limit, was this 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder SWB Spider by Pininfarina, owned by Tony Vassilopoulos (GB)
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The winner in Class E: Swinging Sixties: The Sky's The Limit, was this 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder SWB Spider by Pininfarina, owned by Tony Vassilopoulos (GB)
The winner in Class G: Speeding Against The Clock: Endurance Racing Legends, was this 1949 Ferrari 166 Mille Miglia Barchetta by Touring, owned by Brian Ross (US)
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The winner in Class G: Speeding Against The Clock: Endurance Racing Legends, was this 1949 Ferrari 166 Mille Miglia Barchetta by Touring, owned by Brian Ross (US)
The class-winning cars line up outside the presentation dinner at Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este
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The class-winning cars line up outside the presentation dinner at Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este
The 1967 Lamborghini Marzal Four-Seater Coupé by Bertone, owned by Albert Spiess, Switzerland
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The 1967 Lamborghini Marzal Four-Seater Coupé by Bertone, owned by Albert Spiess, Switzerland
The class-winning cars line up outside the presentation dinner at Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este
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The class-winning cars line up outside the presentation dinner at Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este
The honorable mention in Class H: Daring To Dream: Concepts Which Rocked The Motoring World, was this 1965 Vivant 77 Roadster, owned by Phillip Sarofim (US)
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The honorable mention in Class H: Daring To Dream: Concepts Which Rocked The Motoring World, was this 1965 Vivant 77 Roadster, owned by Phillip Sarofim (US)
The honorable mention in Class H: Daring To Dream: Concepts Which Rocked The Motoring World, was this 1965 Vivant 77 Roadster, owned by Phillip Sarofim (US)
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The honorable mention in Class H: Daring To Dream: Concepts Which Rocked The Motoring World, was this 1965 Vivant 77 Roadster, owned by Phillip Sarofim (US)
BMW Motorrad showed a "Concept R18" motorcycle at Concorso d'Elegenza Villa d'Este that appears to be the first shot in an offensive on Harley-Davidson and Indian territory. It is the first glimpse of many new bikes expected to be based around the 1800cc twin-cylinder engine. Full story
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BMW Motorrad showed a "Concept R18" motorcycle at Concorso d'Elegenza Villa d'Este that appears to be the first shot in an offensive on Harley-Davidson and Indian territory. It is the first glimpse of many new bikes expected to be based around the 1800cc twin-cylinder engine. Full story
The Honourable Mention in Class A - Goodbye Roaring Twenties: The Birth Of The Concorso - went to this 1928 Lancia Lambda Serie VIII Four-Seater Torpedo owned by Anthony MacLean (CH)
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The Honourable Mention in Class A - Goodbye Roaring Twenties: The Birth Of The Concorso - went to this 1928 Lancia Lambda Serie VIII Four-Seater Torpedo owned by Anthony MacLean (CH)
Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera is an Italian automobile coachbuilder with a long and storied history. The company folded in 1966, but the brand was reestablished in 2009 and is once more producing beautiful cars. This is the Touring Sciàdipersia Cabriolet which is based on the Maserati GranCabrio and powered by a 4.7 liter V8. It competed in the Concorso d'Eleganza Design Award for Concept Cars & Prototypes by Public Referendum.
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Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera is an Italian automobile coachbuilder with a long and storied history. The company folded in 1966, but the brand was reestablished in 2009 and is once more producing beautiful cars. This is the Touring Sciàdipersia Cabriolet which is based on the Maserati GranCabrio and powered by a 4.7 liter V8. It competed in the Concorso d'Eleganza Design Award for Concept Cars & Prototypes by Public Referendum.
Competing in the "concept car and prototype" category, the Peugeot e-Legend Concept is an all-electric two-door with looks inspired by the 504 coupe. It was shown for the first time last year to coincidence with the 50th anniversary of the 504.
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Competing in the "concept car and prototype" category, the Peugeot e-Legend Concept is an all-electric two-door with looks inspired by the 504 coupe. It was shown for the first time last year to coincidence with the 50th anniversary of the 504.
The first car from resurrected historic automotive brand Austro Daimler, the Bergmeister ADR 630 Shooting Grand is a plug-in hybrid designed from the outset to have a shooting brake body. With a weight of 1,650 kilograms (3,637 lbs), the car should be a performance monster because it has a six-cylinder gas engine and three electric motor which total 1,200 hp (895 kilowatts) and 1,600 Newton-meters (1,180 pound-feet) of torque. Zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) is a claimed 2.5 seconds.
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The first car from resurrected historic automotive brand Austro Daimler, the Bergmeister ADR 630 Shooting Grand is a plug-in hybrid designed from the outset to have a shooting brake body. With a weight of 1,650 kilograms (3,637 lbs), the car should be a performance monster because it has a six-cylinder gas engine and three electric motor which total 1,200 hp  (895 kilowatts) and 1,600 Newton-meters (1,180 pound-feet) of torque. Zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) is a claimed 2.5 seconds.
The Panther ProjettoUno is an homage to the De Tomaso Pantera of the early 70s. It ran up against the La Voiture Noir Bugatti in the Concept Car & Prototype class, so it didn't win an award, but it sure is pretty.
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The Panther ProjettoUno is an homage to the De Tomaso Pantera of the early 70s. It ran up against the La Voiture Noir Bugatti in the Concept Car & Prototype class, so it didn't win an award, but it sure is pretty.
Competing in the "concept car and prototype" category, the Peugeot e-Legend Concept is an all-electric two-door with looks inspired by the 504 coupe. It was shown for the first time last year to coincidence with the 50th anniversary of the 504.
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Competing in the "concept car and prototype" category, the Peugeot e-Legend Concept is an all-electric two-door with looks inspired by the 504 coupe. It was shown for the first time last year to coincidence with the 50th anniversary of the 504.
This is a one-off BMW created with materials that are quite literally out of this world. The BMW Individual Manufaktur customisation facility created this BMW Individual M850i Night Sky using meteoritic material on select parts of the car.
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This is a one-off BMW created with materials that are quite literally out of this world. The BMW Individual Manufaktur customisation facility created this BMW Individual M850i Night Sky using meteoritic material on select parts of the car.
Bugatti's one-off La Voiture Noire was the winner of the Concorso d'Eleganza Design Award for Concept Cars & Prototypes by Public Referendum
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Bugatti's one-off La Voiture Noire was the winner of the Concorso d'Eleganza Design Award for Concept Cars & Prototypes by Public Referendum
Bugatti's one-off La Voiture Noire was the winner of the Concorso d'Eleganza Design Award for Concept Cars & Prototypes by Public Referendum
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Bugatti's one-off La Voiture Noire was the winner of the Concorso d'Eleganza Design Award for Concept Cars & Prototypes by Public Referendum
The winner of the Trofeo Fiva for the best preserved pre-war car was this 1928 Lancia Lambda Serie VIII Four-Seater Torpedo owned by Anthony MacLean of Switzerland
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The winner of the Trofeo Fiva for the best preserved pre-war car was this 1928 Lancia Lambda Serie VIII Four-Seater Torpedo owned by Anthony MacLean of Switzerland
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The Trofeo ASI for the best preserved post-war car was won by this 1964 CD Panhard LM64 Coupé Aérodynamique by Chappe et Gessalin, wowned by Frédéric Leroux, France
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The Trofeo ASI for the best preserved post-war car was won by this 1964 CD Panhard LM64 Coupé Aérodynamique by Chappe et Gessalin, wowned by  Frédéric Leroux, France
The Trofeo Auto & Design for the most exciting design was won by James Glickenhaus' 1970 Ferrari 512 S Modulo Coupé by Pininfarina
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The Trofeo Auto & Design for the most exciting design was won by James Glickenhaus' 1970 Ferrari 512 S Modulo Coupé by Pininfarina
The Trofeo Dell'Anniversario for the best engine sound was won by David MacNeil's 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB Competizione Berlinetta by Pininfarina
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The Trofeo Dell'Anniversario for the best engine sound was won by David MacNeil's 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB Competizione Berlinetta by Pininfarina 
The winner of the Trofeo BMW Group Classic for the most sensitive restoration was this 1937 Bugatti 57 S Four-Seater Sports Tourer by Vanden Plas owned by Robert Kaufmann
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The winner of the Trofeo BMW Group Classic for the most sensitive restoration was this 1937 Bugatti 57 S Four-Seater Sports Tourer by Vanden Plas owned by Robert Kaufmann
The winner of the Trofeo The Rake for the best dressed entrant was won by this 1938 Delahaye 135M Roadster by Carlton owned by Emma Beanland of Monaco
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The winner of the Trofeo The Rake for the best dressed entrant was won by this 1938 Delahaye 135M Roadster by Carlton owned by Emma Beanland of Monaco
The Trofeo Rolls-Royce for the most elegant Rolls-Royce was won by this 1914 Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost Torpedo Phaeton by Kellner, owned by Douglas Magee
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The Trofeo Rolls-Royce for the most elegant Rolls-Royce was won by this 1914 Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost Torpedo Phaeton by Kellner, owned by  Douglas Magee
The Trofeo Rolls-Royce for the most elegant Rolls-Royce was won by this 1914 Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost Torpedo Phaeton by Kellner, owned by Douglas Magee
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The Trofeo Rolls-Royce for the most elegant Rolls-Royce was won by this 1914 Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost Torpedo Phaeton by Kellner, owned by  Douglas Magee
The Trofeo Vranken Pommery for the best iconic car was won by David MacNeil's Trofeo Vranken Pommery for the best iconic car
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The Trofeo Vranken Pommery for the best iconic car was won by David MacNeil's Trofeo Vranken Pommery for the best iconic car 
The winner of the Trofeo Automobile Club Como for the car driven from farthest away was won by this 1966 Maserati 4000 Spider by Frua, owned by Oliver Ruppertzhoven of Germany
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The winner of the Trofeo Automobile Club Como for the car driven from farthest away was won by this 1966 Maserati 4000 Spider by Frua, owned by Oliver Ruppertzhoven of Germany
Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este began in 1929, when it was essentially an automotive beauty show for contemporary cars. This image from the 1931 event shows Josette Pozzo and her then new 1931 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Gran Sport by Touring which won the 1931 "Coppa d'Oro" for best in show.
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Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este began in 1929, when it was essentially an automotive beauty show for contemporary cars. This  image from the 1931 event shows Josette Pozzo and her then new 1931 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Gran Sport by Touring which won the 1931 "Coppa d'Oro" for best in show.
The main award winnersover the last few years at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este
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The main award winnersover the last few years at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este
Bugatti's one-off La Voiture Noire was the winner of the Concorso d'Eleganza Design Award for Concept Cars & Prototypes by Public Referendum
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Bugatti's one-off La Voiture Noire was the winner of the Concorso d'Eleganza Design Award for Concept Cars & Prototypes by Public Referendum
Bugatti's one-off La Voiture Noire was the winner of the Concorso d'Eleganza Design Award for Concept Cars & Prototypes by Public Referendum
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Bugatti's one-off La Voiture Noire was the winner of the Concorso d'Eleganza Design Award for Concept Cars & Prototypes by Public Referendum
Bugatti's one-off La Voiture Noire was the winner of the Concorso d'Eleganza Design Award for Concept Cars & Prototypes by Public Referendum
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Bugatti's one-off La Voiture Noire was the winner of the Concorso d'Eleganza Design Award for Concept Cars & Prototypes by Public Referendum
The winner of the Trofeo BMW Group Italia by Public Referendum at Villa Erba was this 1938 Lancia Astura Serie IV Cabriolet by Pinin Farina owned by Filippo Sole of Italy
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The winner of the Trofeo BMW Group Italia by Public Referendum at Villa Erba was this 1938 Lancia Astura Serie IV Cabriolet by Pinin Farina owned by Filippo Sole of Italy
The winner in Class D: A New Dawn: Into The Rock'n'roll Era, was this 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Coupé, owned by Matthias Bonczkowitz (DE)
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The winner in Class D: A New Dawn: Into The Rock'n'roll Era, was this 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Coupé, owned by Matthias Bonczkowitz (DE)
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The winner in Class E: Swinging Sixties: The Sky's The Limit, was this 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder SWB Spider by Pininfarina owned by Tony Vassilopoulos (GB)
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The winner in Class E: Swinging Sixties: The Sky's The Limit, was this 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder SWB Spider by Pininfarina owned by Tony Vassilopoulos (GB)
Bugatti's one-off La Voiture Noire was the winner of the Concorso d'Eleganza Design Award for Concept Cars & Prototypes by Public Referendum
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Bugatti's one-off La Voiture Noire was the winner of the Concorso d'Eleganza Design Award for Concept Cars & Prototypes by Public Referendum
The honorable mention in Class H: Daring To Dream: Concepts Which Rocked The Motoring World, was this 1965 Vivant 77 Roadster, owned by Phillip Sarofim (US)
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The honorable mention in Class H: Daring To Dream: Concepts Which Rocked The Motoring World, was this 1965 Vivant 77 Roadster, owned by Phillip Sarofim (US)
The honorable mention in Class F: Baby You Can Drive My Car: Musical Stars' Cars, was this 1988 Porsche 959 Coupé, owned by Giovanni Andrea Innocenti (CH)
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The honorable mention in Class F: Baby You Can Drive My Car: Musical Stars' Cars, was this 1988 Porsche 959 Coupé, owned by Giovanni Andrea Innocenti (CH)
The winner in Class C: Small And Perfectly Formed: The Coachbuilder's Art In Miniature, was this 1963 Fiat Abarth Monomille GT Coupé by Sibona-Basano, owned by Shiro Kosaka of Japan
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The winner in Class C: Small And Perfectly Formed: The Coachbuilder's Art In Miniature, was this 1963 Fiat Abarth Monomille GT Coupé by Sibona-Basano, owned by Shiro Kosaka of Japan
The Trofeo ASI for the best preserved post-war car was won by this 1964 CD Panhard LM64 Coupé Aérodynamique by Chappe et Gessalin, wowned by Frédéric Leroux, France
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The Trofeo ASI for the best preserved post-war car was won by this 1964 CD Panhard LM64 Coupé Aérodynamique by Chappe et Gessalin, wowned by  Frédéric Leroux, France
Bugatti's one-off La Voiture Noire was the winner of the Concorso d'Eleganza Design Award for Concept Cars & Prototypes by Public Referendum
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Bugatti's one-off La Voiture Noire was the winner of the Concorso d'Eleganza Design Award for Concept Cars & Prototypes by Public Referendum
The winner of Class B: Fast Forward: A Quarter Century Of Progress, was David Sydorick's 1937 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Berlinetta. This car also won "best in show" as adjudged by both the public and the judges and is the subject of a separate feature article.
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The winner of Class B: Fast Forward: A Quarter Century Of Progress, was David Sydorick's 1937 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Berlinetta. This car also won "best in show" as adjudged by both the public and the judges and is the subject of a separate feature article.
Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este is the world's oldest concours event
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Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este is the world's oldest concours event
The 2019 Concept Cars & Prototypes category at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2019 was probably the toughest field of the entire event: from top left clockwise, the gull-winged 2019 Austro Daimler Bergmeister ADR 630 Shooting Grand, the 2018 Peugeot E-Legend Concept, the 2019 Touring Sciàdipersia Cabriolet and the 2018 Panther ProgettoUno.
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The 2019 Concept Cars & Prototypes category at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2019 was probably the toughest field of the entire event: from top left clockwise, the gull-winged 2019 Austro Daimler Bergmeister ADR 630 Shooting Grand, the 2018 Peugeot E-Legend Concept,  the 2019 Touring Sciàdipersia Cabriolet and the 2018 Panther ProgettoUno.
The California-based Gyro Transport Systems built the first and only prototype in 1967, utilizing a gyroscope to remain upright when not moving.
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The California-based Gyro Transport Systems built the first and only prototype in 1967, utilizing a gyroscope to remain upright when not moving. 
Moods at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2019
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Moods at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2019
Moods at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2019
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Moods at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2019
Moods at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2019
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Moods at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2019
Moods at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2019
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Moods at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2019
Moods at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2019
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Moods at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2019
Moods at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2019
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Moods at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2019
Moods at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2019
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Moods at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2019
Moods at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2019
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Moods at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2019
Moods at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2019
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Moods at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2019
Moods at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2019
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Moods at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2019
Moods at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2019
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Moods at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2019
Moods at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2019
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Moods at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2019
Moods at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2019
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Moods at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2019
Moods at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2019
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Moods at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2019
Moods at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2019
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Moods at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2019
Moods at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2019
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Moods at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2019
Moods at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2019
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Moods at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2019
Moods at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2019
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Moods at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2019
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Moods at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2019
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Moods at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2019
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Moods at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2019
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Moods at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2019
Moods at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2019
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Moods at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2019
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Moods at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2019
Moods at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2019
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Moods at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2019
View gallery - 121 images

This year was the 90th anniversary for Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, which was first held at the palatial 16th-century villa on the shores of Lake Como on September 1, 1929.

As a setting for a celebration of any form of heritage, there could be no finer location, as the former royal residence near Rome is now a luxury hotel, world-renowned for its 25 acres of terraced Italian Renaissance gardens.

The spectacular grounds of Villa d'Este on Sunday afternoon
The spectacular grounds of Villa d'Este on Sunday afternoon

Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este is by far the world's longest running Concours d'Elegance (a French term meaning "competition of elegance"), with the oldest such event in North America being the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, which began in 1950 and will be held for the 69th time this year.

Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este began in 1929, when it was essentially an automotive beauty show for contemporary cars. This image from the 1931 event shows Josette Pozzo and her then new 1931 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Gran Sport by Touring which won the 1931 "Coppa d'Oro" for best in show.
Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este began in 1929, when it was essentially an automotive beauty show for contemporary cars. This  image from the 1931 event shows Josette Pozzo and her then new 1931 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Gran Sport by Touring which won the 1931 "Coppa d'Oro" for best in show.

When Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este first began, it was essentially an automotive beauty show for contemporary cars. The above image from the 1931 event shows Josette Pozzo and her then new Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Gran Sport by Touring, which won the 1931 Coppa d'Oro for best in show.

Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este is the world's oldest concours event
Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este is the world's oldest concours event

Times have since changed, and money dictates that cars from the immediate post-WW2 era are the most desirable. Only a handful of pre-WW2 cars command similar prices at auction to post-WW2 cars in general, and Ferraris from the 1950s and 1960s in particular.

Concours events these days are far more an automotive heritage celebration, and like the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este's stature in the global scheme is of the highest order. Longevity, world-leading technology-in-period, styling, provenance and authenticity are key variables in the concours world, but scarcity is invariably the determinant of a high price.

Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este is by far the world's longest running Concours d'Elegance, celebrating its 90th year in 2019
Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este is by far the world's longest running Concours d'Elegance, celebrating its 90th year in 2019

Tradition seemingly has dictated that those concours events with the greatest lineage have the most gravitas, mainly because they are now exquisitely organized. Going against this trend is the relative youth of Amelia Island and the extraordinary impact of Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award, which is already recognized as the world championship of concours cars, despite being just four years old.

The winner of Class B: Fast Forward: A Quarter Century Of Progress, was David Sydorick's 1937 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Berlinetta. This car also won "best in show" as adjudged by both the public and the judges and is the subject of a separate feature article.
The winner of Class B: Fast Forward: A Quarter Century Of Progress, was David Sydorick's 1937 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Berlinetta. This car also won "best in show" as adjudged by both the public and the judges and is the subject of a separate feature article.

This year's custodian of the Coppa d'Oro ("best in show" by public referendum) and Trofeo BMW Group ("best in show" by the Jury) at Villa d'Este is David Sydorick, whose 1937 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B is, ironically, closely related to Josette's 1931 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750.

David and Ginny Sydorick won the Coppa d’Oro Villa d’Este (awarded to the “Best of Show” voted by public referendum) and the Trofeo BMW Group (awarded to the “Best of Show” by the Jury). See separate article on the car and its remarkable success.
David and Ginny Sydorick won the Coppa d’Oro Villa d’Este (awarded  to the “Best of Show” voted by public referendum) and the Trofeo BMW Group (awarded  to the “Best of Show” by the Jury). See separate article on the car and its remarkable success.

As we wrote this week, David Sydorick's Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Touring Berlinetta (pictured directly above in the same location as one of the above images from 1929) is now the most acclaimed concours car in history, having previously won the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, and the Peninsula Classics Best of the Best award at Retromobile in February, 2019. David likened winning both best of show awards (both public and the judges) at Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este to having a knighthood bestowed.

RELATED CONTENT: During the three major associated classic car auctions at Retromobile in Paris in February, 2019, an identical car to David's 1939 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 B Touring Berlinetta sold for €16,745,600 ($18,968,675) to an American collector, becoming the third most expensive pre-war car ever to sell at auction.

RELATED CONTENT: Pictorial: David Sydorick's Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Touring Berlinetta

The traits that set Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este apart from the thousands of automotive beauty contests around the world each year is best encapsulated by this paragraph from the event web site front page: "The Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este owes its privileged status among the world's most prestigious heritage events for historic vehicles to a number of unique attributes. These include the elegance of the event, its long and illustrious tradition, the unrivalled flair experienced at the majestic Grand Hotel Villa d'Este on the shores of Lake Como and the small, select groups of participants."

It is that select group of participating vehicles that captivates us each year when we report on the event, and such is the quality of the distilled excellence on display annually, that there are often cars that don't win awards we want to write about for their sheer design innovation.

One such car this year was the Gyro-X, a car so far ahead of its time that its time has not yet come, even though it is already half a century old. The cigar-shaped car was good for 125 mph with an 80 hp 1275cc engine thanks to its low frontal area and miniscule drag co-efficient. The form factor has been tried many times since, but as the world becomes more energy conscious, there's every chance it will one day achieve critical mass.

We wrote about the Gyro-X before its restoration began in 2013, and we were thrilled to see it in its former splendor at Villa d'Este where it competed in Class H (Concepts which rocked the Motoring World). If you want to see it in the flesh, the Gyro-X now resides at the Lane Motor Museum (US) in Nashville, Tennessee.
We wrote about the Gyro-X before its restoration began in 2013, and we were thrilled to see it in its former splendor at Villa d'Este where it competed in Class H (Concepts which rocked the Motoring World). If you want to see it in the flesh, the Gyro-X now resides at the Lane Motor Museum (US) in Nashville, Tennessee.

By our reckoning, the California-based Gyro Transport Systems built the first such prototype in 1967, utilizing a gyroscope (pictured below) to remain upright when not moving. Sadly, the company became insolvent before the Gyro-X went into production, and the one-and-only specimen became an orphan.

The California-based Gyro Transport Systems built the first and only prototype in 1967, utilizing a gyroscope to remain upright when not moving.
The California-based Gyro Transport Systems built the first and only prototype in 1967, utilizing a gyroscope to remain upright when not moving. 

For decades the Gyro-X was passed from owner to owner, its condition deteriorating along the way. It was then found, appreciated for what it was, and has been restored to its former glory.

The Gyro-X on the red carpet at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2019
The Gyro-X on the red carpet at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2019

The single-seat Gyro-X was penned by renowned industrial designer Alex Tremulis, who had previously designed vehicles for Cord, Duesenberg, General Motors, Tucker and Ford.

We wrote about the Gyro-X before the restoration began in 2013, and we were thrilled to see it in its former splendor at Villa d'Este where it competed in Class H (Concepts which rocked the Motoring World) where it came up against a star-studded field that included the 1967 Lamborghini Marzal by Bertone, the 1965 Vivant 77 and the Ferrari 512S Modulo by Pininfarina, and understandably, didn't win a gong. If you want to see it in the flesh, the Gyro-X now resides at the Lane Motor Museum in Nashville, Tennessee, and there is an array of images in the image library for this article.

Below you'll find the class winners and honorable mention recipients, and in the image library, you'll find many more photos that capture the splendor of this remarkable annual event. If you have petroleum running in your veins, head to Northern Italy in late May at least once in your lifetime – it will be worth it.

Finally, if you are looking for the motorcycles at Villa d'Este (actually, they were next door at Villa d'Erba), you'll find them here, and BMW's Concept R18 cruiser, which was shown for the first time at the event and seems destined to go head-to-head with Harley and Indian, can be found here.

Trofeo BMW Group Italia
by Public Referendum at Villa Erba

The winner of the Trofeo BMW Group Italia by Public Referendum at Villa Erba was this 1938 Lancia Astura Serie IV Cabriolet by Pinin Farina owned by Filippo Sole of Italy
The winner of the Trofeo BMW Group Italia by Public Referendum at Villa Erba was this 1938 Lancia Astura Serie IV Cabriolet by Pinin Farina owned by Filippo Sole of Italy

Winner: 1938 Lancia Astura Serie IV Cabriolet by Pinin Farina
Owner: Filippo Sole, Italy

This regal Lancia Astura Serie IV Cabriolet is powered by a 3 liter engine and was penned by Battista "Pinin" Farina during the early years of his Carrozzeria Pininfarina coachbuilding company. At the 2016 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, a 1936 Astura Pinin Farina Cabriolet once owned by guitar virtuoso Eric Clapton won Best of Show.

Trofeo BMW Group Ragazzi
by Public Referendum (up to 16 years of age)

The winner of the Trofeo BMW Group Ragazzi was this 1967 Lamborghini Marzal Four-Seater Coupé by Bertone. Only one Marzal was ever produced, but both Dinky Toys and Matchbox made scale models of the car. The Marzal debuted to much fanfare and public acclaim at the 1967 Geneva Show and was famously driven by Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace on the parade lap at the 1967 Monaco Grand Prix.
The winner of the Trofeo BMW Group Ragazzi was this 1967 Lamborghini Marzal Four-Seater Coupé by Bertone. Only one Marzal was ever produced, but both Dinky Toys and Matchbox made scale models of the car. The Marzal debuted to much fanfare and public acclaim at the 1967 Geneva Show and was famously driven by Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace on the parade lap at the 1967 Monaco Grand Prix. 

Winner: 1967 Lamborghini Marzal Four-Seater Coupé by Bertone
Owner: Albert Spiess, Switzerland

The Lamborghini Marzal was a prototype designed at Bertone by Marcello Gandini when Ferruccio Lamborghini decided he wanted a proper four-seater beyond the existing 400GT 2+2. Built on an extended Miura chassis, the Marzal's engine was half of a Lamborghini 4.0 liter V12, making for a compact 175 bhp (130 kW) 2.0 liter inline-six engine, mated to a 5-speed transmission.

Readers might find it hard to believe, but only one Marzal was ever produced. Both Dinky Toys and Matchbox made scale models of the car, which debuted to much fanfare and public acclaim at the 1967 Geneva Show and was famously driven by Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace on the parade lap at the 1967 Monaco Grand Prix. As the poster couple of the paparazzi at that time, the drive made newspapers across the world.

Lamborghini Marzal at Grand Prix de Monaco Historique

The above video shows Prince Albert of Monaco driving the Marzal at the GP de Monaco Historique in 2018.

Concorso d'Eleganza Design Award
for Concept Cars & Prototypes
by Public Referendum

Bugatti's one-off La Voiture Noire was the winner of the Concorso d'Eleganza Design Award for Concept Cars & Prototypes by Public Referendum
Bugatti's one-off La Voiture Noire was the winner of the Concorso d'Eleganza Design Award for Concept Cars & Prototypes by Public Referendum

Winner: 2019 Bugatti La Voiture Noire
Owner: Etienne Salomé and Achim Anscheidt

The sensation of the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, the one-off La Voiture Noire (The Black Car) made headlines across the world when Bugatti revealed that the debutant show car had already been sold for US$12.3 million, making it the most expensive new car of all time.

La Voiture Noire is a modern interpretation of Jean Bugatti's Type 57 SC Atlantic, based on the Bugatti Chiron. While it came with the Chiron's 8-liter, W16 engine, the internals were reworked to produce a stunning 1,479 horsepower (1,103 kW) and 1,180 pound-feet (1,600 Nm) of torque from its 16 cylinders.

Bugatti's one-off La Voiture Noire was the winner of the Concorso d'Eleganza Design Award for Concept Cars & Prototypes by Public Referendum
Bugatti's one-off La Voiture Noire was the winner of the Concorso d'Eleganza Design Award for Concept Cars & Prototypes by Public Referendum

Volkswagen Group relaunched the famous Bugatti brand in 2005 when this publication was just three years old, and in doing so it recalibrated the world supercar market with the Veyron – a 987 hp work of art with unprecedented levels of luxury, safety and a 407 km/h (253 mph) top speed. La Voiture Noire's engine produces 50 percent more power than the fastest car in the world did just 14 years ago. The march of automotive technological progress has become a full-blooded sprint.

There are quite a few images of this car in the image gallery for this article as it is impressive from every angle, and not surprisingly, it took home a win at its first outing, despite a strong field of Concept Cars and Prototypes.

The 2019 Concept Cars & Prototypes category at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2019 was probably the toughest field of the entire event: from top left clockwise, the gull-winged 2019 Austro Daimler Bergmeister ADR 630 Shooting Grand, the 2018 Peugeot E-Legend Concept, the 2019 Touring Sciàdipersia Cabriolet and the 2018 Panther ProgettoUno.
The 2019 Concept Cars & Prototypes category at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2019 was probably the toughest field of the entire event: from top left clockwise, the gull-winged 2019 Austro Daimler Bergmeister ADR 630 Shooting Grand, the 2018 Peugeot E-Legend Concept,  the 2019 Touring Sciàdipersia Cabriolet and the 2018 Panther ProgettoUno.

The 2019 Concept Cars & Prototypes category at Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2019 was probably the toughest field of the entire event: from top left clockwise, the gull-winged 2019 Austro Daimler Bergmeister ADR 630 Shooting Grand, the 2018 Peugeot E-Legend Concept, the 2019 Touring Sciàdipersia Cabriolet and the 2018 Panther ProgettoUno. The gull-winged Austro Daimler Bergmeister, just as an example, is the first car of the rebirth of a famous retro brand, and the Villa d'Este show was the the first time it had been seen.

Class A - Goodbye Roaring Twenties: The Birth Of The Concorso

The winner of Class A - Goodbye Roaring Twenties: The Birth Of The Concorso - was this 1925 Vauxhall 30/98 Type OE Boattail Tourer owned by Peter Goodwin (US)
The winner of Class A - Goodbye Roaring Twenties: The Birth Of The Concorso - was this 1925 Vauxhall 30/98 Type OE Boattail Tourer owned by Peter Goodwin (US)

Winner: 1925 Vauxhall 30/98 Type OE Boattail Tourer
Owner: Peter Goodwin (US)

The Honourable Mention in Class A - Goodbye Roaring Twenties: The Birth Of The Concorso - went to this 1928 Lancia Lambda Serie VIII Four-Seater Torpedo owned by Anthony MacLean (CH)
The Honourable Mention in Class A - Goodbye Roaring Twenties: The Birth Of The Concorso - went to this 1928 Lancia Lambda Serie VIII Four-Seater Torpedo owned by Anthony MacLean (CH)

Mention of Honour: 1928 Lancia Lambda Serie VIII Four-Seater Torpedo
Owner: Anthony MacLean (CH)

Class B - Fast Forward: A Quarter Century Of Progress

The winner of Class B: Fast Forward: A Quarter Century Of Progress, was David Sydorick's 1937 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Berlinetta. This car also won "best in show" as adjudged by both the public and the judges and is the subject of a separate feature article.
The winner of Class B: Fast Forward: A Quarter Century Of Progress, was David Sydorick's 1937 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Berlinetta. This car also won "best in show" as adjudged by both the public and the judges and is the subject of a separate feature article.

Winner: 1937 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Berlinetta, by Touring
Owner: David Sydorick (US)

The Honourable Mention in Class B: Fast Forward: A Quarter Century Of Progress, was this 1937 Bugatti 57 S Four-Seater Sports Tourer by Vanden Plas owned by Robert Kauffman. It was just Robert's luck to run up against the Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B which took aout the class. The Alfa won last year's Pebble Beach Concours, Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award at Retromobile in February, and both the public and judges awards for best in show at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este
The Honourable Mention in Class B: Fast Forward: A Quarter Century Of Progress, was this 1937 Bugatti 57 S Four-Seater Sports Tourer by Vanden Plas owned by Robert Kauffman. It was just Robert's luck to run up against the Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B which took aout the class. The Alfa won last year's Pebble Beach Concours, Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award at Retromobile in February, and both the public and judges awards for best in show at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este

Mention of Honour: 1937 Bugatti 57 S Four-Seater Sports Tourer by Vanden Plas
Owner: Robert Kauffman (US)

Class C - Small And Perfectly Formed: The Coachbuilder's Art In Miniature

The winner in Class C: Small And Perfectly Formed: The Coachbuilder's Art In Miniature, was this 1963 Fiat Abarth Monomille GT Coupé by Sibona-Basano, owned by Shiro Kosaka of Japan
The winner in Class C: Small And Perfectly Formed: The Coachbuilder's Art In Miniature, was this 1963 Fiat Abarth Monomille GT Coupé by Sibona-Basano, owned by Shiro Kosaka of Japan

Winner: 1963 Fiat Abarth Monomille GT Coupé by Sibona-Basano
Owner: Shiro Kosaka (JP)

The honorable mention in Class C: Small And Perfectly Formed : The Coachbuilder's Art In Miniature, was this 1953 Abarth 205 Sport 1100 Berlinetta by Ghia, owned by Bradley Calkins
The honorable mention in Class C: Small And Perfectly Formed : The Coachbuilder's Art In Miniature, was this 1953 Abarth 205 Sport 1100 Berlinetta by Ghia, owned by Bradley Calkins

Mention of Honour: 1953 Abarth 205 Sport 1100 Berlinetta by Ghia
Owner: Bradley Calkins (US)

Class D - A New Dawn: Into The Rock'n'roll Era

The winner in Class D: A New Dawn: Into The Rock'n'roll Era, was this 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Coupé owned by Matthias Bonczkowitz (DE)
The winner in Class D: A New Dawn: Into The Rock'n'roll Era, was this 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Coupé owned by Matthias Bonczkowitz (DE)

Winner: 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Coupé
Owner: Matthias Bonczkowitz (DE)

The winner in Class D: A New Dawn: Into The Rock'n'roll Era, was this 1953 Siata 208 S Spider Motto owned by Jan de Reu (BE)
The winner in Class D: A New Dawn: Into The Rock'n'roll Era, was this 1953 Siata 208 S Spider Motto owned by Jan de Reu (BE)

Mention of Honour: 1953 Siata 208 S Spider Motto
Owner: Jan de Reu (BE)

Class E - Swinging Sixties: The Sky's The Limit

The winner in Class E: Swinging Sixties: The Sky's The Limit, was this 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder SWB Spider by Pininfarina owned by Tony Vassilopoulos (GB)
The winner in Class E: Swinging Sixties: The Sky's The Limit, was this 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder SWB Spider by Pininfarina owned by Tony Vassilopoulos (GB)

Winner: 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder SWB Spider by Pininfarina
Owner: Tony Vassilopoulos (GB)

The honorable mention in Class E: Swinging Sixties: The Sky's The Limit, was this 1960 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta SWB Competizione by Pininfarina, owned by William Loughan (GB)
The honorable mention in Class E: Swinging Sixties: The Sky's The Limit, was this 1960 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta SWB Competizione by Pininfarina, owned by William Loughan (GB)

Mention of Honour: 1960 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta SWB Competizione by Pininfarina
Owner: William Loughan (GB)

Class F - Baby You Can Drive My Car: Musical Stars' Cars

The winner in Class F: Baby You Can Drive My Car: Musical Stars' Cars, was this 1971 Lamborghini Miura P 400 S Coupé Bertone, owned by Luca Taino (IT)
The winner in Class F: Baby You Can Drive My Car: Musical Stars' Cars, was this 1971 Lamborghini Miura P 400 S Coupé Bertone, owned by Luca Taino (IT)

Winner: 1971 Lamborghini Miura P 400 S Coupé Bertone
Owner: Luca Taino (IT)

This Lamborghini Miura P 400 S once belonged to Little Tony, one of the most successful Italian singers of the '60s. A sportscar enthusiast, Little Tony bought three Miuras, including this one in blue Azzurro Mexico color with black interior. As has become increasingly common of winning concours cars, the vehicle has been certified and restored by the factory, in this case, Lamborghini Polo Storico.In addition to supplying the car's production specifications from its archives, Polo Storico also offered its expertise on the correct methods to ensure that not only the final appearance was perfect, but also that all the phases of the restoration work respected the way things were done in that era in Sant'Agata Bolognese.

The honorable mention in Class F: Baby You Can Drive My Car: Musical Stars' Cars, was this 1988 Porsche 959 Coupé, owned by Giovanni Andrea Innocenti (CH)
The honorable mention in Class F: Baby You Can Drive My Car: Musical Stars' Cars, was this 1988 Porsche 959 Coupé, owned by Giovanni Andrea Innocenti (CH)

Mention of Honour: 1988 Porsche 959 Coupé
Owner: Giovanni Andrea Innocenti (CH)

Class G - Speeding Against The Clock: Endurance Racing Legends

The winner in Class G: Speeding Against The Clock: Endurance Racing Legends, was this 1949 Ferrari 166 Mille Miglia Barchetta by Touring, owned by Brian Ross (US)
The winner in Class G: Speeding Against The Clock: Endurance Racing Legends, was this 1949 Ferrari 166 Mille Miglia Barchetta by Touring, owned by Brian Ross (US)

Winner: 1949 Ferrari 166 Mille Miglia Barchetta by Touring
Owner: Brian Ross (US)

The honorable mention in Class G: Speeding Against The Clock: Endurance Racing Legends, was this 1953 OSCA MT4 1450 Barchetta by Frua, owned by Hidetomo Kimura (JP)
The honorable mention in Class G: Speeding Against The Clock: Endurance Racing Legends, was this 1953 OSCA MT4 1450 Barchetta by Frua, owned by Hidetomo Kimura (JP)

Mention of Honour: 1953 OSCA MT4 1450 Barchetta by Frua
Owner: Hidetomo Kimura (JP)

Class H - Daring To Dream: Concepts Which Rocked The Motoring World

The Trofeo BMW Group Ragazzi went to the 1967 Lamborghini Marzal Four-Seater Coupé by Bertone. The spectacular Lamborghini Marzal was a prototype designed at Bertone by Marcello Gandini when Ferruccio Lamborghini decided he wanted a proper four-seater beyond the existing 400GT 2+2. Built on an extended Miura chassis, the Marzal's engine was half of a Lamborghini 4.0 liter V12, making for a compact 175 bhp (130 kW) 2.0 liter inline-six engine, mated to a 5-speed transmission.
The Trofeo BMW Group Ragazzi went to the 1967 Lamborghini Marzal Four-Seater Coupé by Bertone. The spectacular Lamborghini Marzal was a prototype designed at Bertone by Marcello Gandini when Ferruccio Lamborghini decided he wanted a proper four-seater beyond the existing 400GT 2+2. Built on an extended Miura chassis, the Marzal's engine was half of a Lamborghini 4.0 liter V12, making for a compact 175 bhp (130 kW) 2.0 liter inline-six engine, mated to a 5-speed transmission.

Winner: 1967 Lamborghini Marzal Four-Seater Coupé by Bertone
Owner: Albert Spiess (CH)

The honorable mention in Class H: Daring To Dream: Concepts Which Rocked The Motoring World, was this 1965 Vivant 77 Roadster, owned by Phillip Sarofim (US)
The honorable mention in Class H: Daring To Dream: Concepts Which Rocked The Motoring World, was this 1965 Vivant 77 Roadster, owned by Phillip Sarofim (US)

Mention of Honour: 1965 Vivant 77 Roadster, "The Beatles of Troy, Michigan", 1965,
Owner: Phillip Sarofim (US)

Trofeo Fiva for the best preserved pre-war car

The winner of the Trofeo Fiva for the best preserved pre-war car was this 1928 Lancia Lambda Serie VIII Four-Seater Torpedo owned by Anthony MacLean of Switzerland
The winner of the Trofeo Fiva for the best preserved pre-war car was this 1928 Lancia Lambda Serie VIII Four-Seater Torpedo owned by Anthony MacLean of Switzerland

Winner: 1928 Lancia Lambda Serie VIII Four-Seater Torpedo
Owner: Anthony MacLean, Switzerland

Trofeo ASIfor the best preserved post-war car

The Trofeo ASI for the best preserved post-war car was won by this 1964 CD Panhard LM64 Coupé Aérodynamique by Chappe et Gessalin, wowned by Frédéric Leroux, France
The Trofeo ASI for the best preserved post-war car was won by this 1964 CD Panhard LM64 Coupé Aérodynamique by Chappe et Gessalin, wowned by  Frédéric Leroux, France

Winner: 1964 CD Panhard LM64 Coupé Aérodynamique by Chappe et Gessalin
Owner: Frédéric Leroux, France

Trofeo Automobile Club Como for the car driven from farthest away

The winner of the Trofeo Automobile Club Como for the car driven from farthest away was won by this 1966 Maserati 4000 Spider by Frua, owned by Oliver Ruppertzhoven of Germany
The winner of the Trofeo Automobile Club Como for the car driven from farthest away was won by this 1966 Maserati 4000 Spider by Frua, owned by Oliver Ruppertzhoven of Germany

Winner: 1966 Maserati 4000 Spider by Frua
Owner: Oliver Ruppertzhoven, Germany

Trofeo BMW Group Classic for the most sensitive restoration

The winner of the Trofeo BMW Group Classic for the most sensitive restoration was this 1937 Bugatti 57 S Four-Seater Sports Tourer by Vanden Plas owned by Robert Kaufmann
The winner of the Trofeo BMW Group Classic for the most sensitive restoration was this 1937 Bugatti 57 S Four-Seater Sports Tourer by Vanden Plas owned by Robert Kaufmann

Winner: 1937 Bugatti 57 S Four-Seater Sports Tourer by Vanden Plas,
Owner: Robert Kaufmann, United States

Trofeo Rolls-Royce for the most elegant Rolls-Royce

The Trofeo Rolls-Royce for the most elegant Rolls-Royce was won by this 1914 Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost Torpedo Phaeton by Kellner, owned by Douglas Magee
The Trofeo Rolls-Royce for the most elegant Rolls-Royce was won by this 1914 Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost Torpedo Phaeton by Kellner, owned by  Douglas Magee

Winner: 1914 Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost Torpedo Phaeton by Kellner
Owner: Douglas Magee, United States

Trofeo Vranken Pommery for the best iconic car

The Trofeo Vranken Pommery for the best iconic car was won by David MacNeil's Trofeo Vranken Pommery for the best iconic car
The Trofeo Vranken Pommery for the best iconic car was won by David MacNeil's Trofeo Vranken Pommery for the best iconic car 

Winner: 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB Competizione Berlinetta by Pininfarina
Owner: David MacNeil, United States

Trofeo Auto & Designfor the most exciting design

The Trofeo Auto & Design for the most exciting design was won by James Glickenhaus' 1970 Ferrari 512 S Modulo Coupé by Pininfarina
The Trofeo Auto & Design for the most exciting design was won by James Glickenhaus' 1970 Ferrari 512 S Modulo Coupé by Pininfarina

Winner: 1970 Ferrari 512 S Modulo Coupé by Pininfarina
Owner: James Glickenhaus, United States

Trofeo The Rakefor the best dressed entrant

The winner of the Trofeo The Rake for the best dressed entrant was won by this 1938 Delahaye 135M Roadster by Carlton owned by Emma Beanland of Monaco
The winner of the Trofeo The Rake for the best dressed entrant was won by this 1938 Delahaye 135M Roadster by Carlton owned by Emma Beanland of Monaco

Winner: 1938 Delahaye 135M Roadster by Carlton
Owner: Emma Beanland, Monaco

Trofeo Dell'Anniversariofor the best engine sound

The Trofeo Dell'Anniversario for the best engine sound was won by David MacNeil's 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB Competizione Berlinetta by Pininfarina
The Trofeo Dell'Anniversario for the best engine sound was won by David MacNeil's 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB Competizione Berlinetta by Pininfarina 

Winner: 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB Competizione Berlinetta by Pininfarina
Owner: David MacNeil, United States

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ei3io
True Art,,,, you can see the fluidity of both air & design evolution,,,