I say it every time. And it is worth repeating again. There is quite simply nothing like the Concorso d’Eleganza at Villa d’Este.
It is such a privilege to attend. The cars. The setting. The people. The food. Everything is just perfect. And if the weather plays along (like it did this year again) well then you have something that is literally unbeatable. Two observations should be stated however. First – the Mille Miglia was held on the same weekend so there were less people than normal. Secondly – it has to be said that the Ferrari selection this year was one of the poorest I have ever seen in a long time and certainly since I have been attending the concorso since 2012.
Ferrari is such a great brand and has such a rich history – to bring none of their important series and cars is quite astonishing. The 250 Vignale was nice and rare and extremely elegant but the rest of the choices were not as good as they could have been. They could have brought so many other elegant cars. What about a 250 TDF one or three louver? A 410 superamerica? A 375 America? 400 Superamerica? 250 California or 250 Lusso? Honestly speaking I was very disappointed by the selection of Ferrari’s this year.
Despite these two large factors, the Mille Miglia and poor Ferrari’s – in a way it was the best Concorso yet? Why? The cars were most elegant I have seen in a long time. The dream Bugatti Atalante and Lancia Astura made up for elegance. Lets get started. This report is the opposite of Part I – the night tour. It is quite long. I hope you enjoy it.
Another beautiful day awaited me on Saturday. This was my view from my hotel room balcony.
Having breakfast wearing a 1968 Rolex Predaytona 6238 for the first time. It was already 10:20 so better hurry up.
As is tradition I always take the bicycle to Villa d’Este and wear my white jacket when its beautiful outside.
Staying on the topic of bikes, BMW who is the main sponsor of the Concorso brought along a superb R5 from the 1930s. What a beautiful example. Notice the old and original BMW emblem and the chrome fuel tank cover.
Perhaps what I loved best was the key to start the bike. The shape matched the bike perfectly.
The first car I encountered was this dream 1937 Bugatti 57 SC Atalante (not to be confused with Ralph Laurens Atlantic).
SC stands for super charged. To think this was a super sports car at the time. Only 19 were made of which 14 still exist. A very nice Greek owner bought it at auction at Gooding & Co a few years back . It is his only pre -war car. He normally races 458 speciale’s and F1 cars he owns – which makes it even more special that he treasures this Bugatti sports car. The man on the right with the sunglasses is his mechanic.
The badge of Bugatti is legendary.
There are only very few cars that can match the elegance of Bugatti – just look at this interior. The lever on the far right is for increasing the revs or lowering them to help start the car.
If there is one car that can match the Bugatti in terms of elegance – this is it.
A 1930s Lancia Astura. Just look at that design. This is automotive art. This is an automotive masterpiece.
This Lancia was bodied by Castagna – and was superbly elegant. A view from the front. Notice the Supercharged Bugatti behind it.
The interior of this Lancia was very functional. Nice large round Jaeger instrument that included an 8 day clock from Jaeger. Very nice.
The owners were very friendly and elegant- from the Netherlands. They showed exquisite taste in watches too. Notice the nice and elegant Cartier Tank.
The Lancia on its way to pick up the best prize won for the most attractive car – as voted by the public. Well deserved!
It was a gorgeous day at the Concorso.
I have attended in the pouring rain a few years ago. This time there were also umbrellas out. But because it was so hot in the sun. Just a perfect day in a perfect setting. Notice how elegant the crowd is. Yes we are in Italy – the country of style.
Talking about style – I sat next to an American collector who brought along this gorgeous Patek 2499 perpetual calendar chronograph watch. Suits me rather well don’t you think?
Another Icon of style and coolness is this 1954 Rolex Submariner 6200.
The king of all Rolex watches arguable and the king of big crowns and king of all submariners – it was one of the first diving watches Rolex ever made. Owned by a US collector and friend.
Lets get back to cars.
We now go to the 1950s. We start with this gorgeous 1950s Ferrari 250 Boano in black. This car is not by nature very elegant but the color makes it more refined for sure.
The 250 Ferrari Boano has a lower rooftop line which makes it more sporty and aggressive. A nice view of the Boano from the top.
We stay with Ferrari but move on to a hyper elegant 1950s Ferrari 250 Europa Vignale in beautiful red.
I have stated this many times before. Vignale is the king of elegance. Just look at this interior please. This is automobile art at its finest.
Even the door of this car is pure automotive art.
Look at the door handle to close the door in the middle. Further to the far right the handle to open the door. All in massive chrome. Elegance pure. This car was owned by an American collector (who also collected watches).
Have you ever seen a cleaner engine compartment? This car had a engine 250MM inside and was modified for road use.
Lets stay with the 1950s and move to perhaps my favorite car at the concourse. The magnificent FIAT 8V or Otto vu designed by Zagato.
I particularly loved the front of this car. So aggressive and elegant at the same time. The nicest FIAT 8v I have ever seen.
The interior of the car was kept very minimalistic. A clean layout. Notice the unusual position of the gearshift – I am not sure I like that position.
Look at the car from the back. Equally powerful and elegant.
Apparantly the owner of the Fiat 8V likes vintage Rolex. He is wearing an old Rolex Date – Just from the same era of his car – 1950s.
Talking about watches – there were some nice watches to be seen at the Concorso. Like this dream 1960s Rolex 6234 with underline dial – owned by a US collector and friend.
Before we get back to cars allow me to share this stunning Breitling Superocean that a car collector was wearing. A dream watch and now valued CHF 65-70’ooo – as one just sold at auction at Phillips in Geneva last week.
Material things are nice – but there are many things money cannot buy. For example taste and elegance. These passengers suited this car wonderfully!
Yes its true. Beautiful women were present at Villa d’Este.
I was not the only man to notice it. This man below with sunglasses and hat on – still cannot hide where he is looking. I don’t blame him – I would have done the same. At least my view from the front was probably just as good – maybe even better.
Please allow me now to get back to cars.
Because this one is just very cool and worth sharing. This rare 550 RS spyder with Aerodynamic spoiler placed above the driver and passengers head basically. The spoiler would act as a practical provider of shade against the sun for the owners later. Notice also the leather straps for the engine compartment (the engine is in the back).
The spoiler was no joke. It really is true. Look for yourself. In bright orange no less. Notice the Steve McQueen mirror which he would ask to be put on a 275 GTB /4.
The back of the Porsche was quite cool. Love the red stripe and the Sebring type exhaust.
I already now feel sorry for the one leaf that is centered right in the middle of the exhaust circumference!
The owners of this wonderful 550 were swiss. Here is the proof besides the BE (Bern) swiss number plate.
Notice the spare tyre in the back of the car (the engine is placed in the middle).
The concorso at Villa d’Este is about elegance. That is why it is called Concorso d’Eleganza. And where there is elegance there is Facel Vega.
Next we have a very cool 1965 Porsche.
Notice the odd bumper the car has on the back. I have never seen such a bumper on a 911 and thought the picture was worth taking. Nice color too. And I absolutely love the Porsche writing in Gold written very close together – which only the very early 911 examples have.
Another unusual feather this 911 had was the leather straps with chrome sitting on the rear of the car. I think it adds a very elegant touch. The function of which was presumably to help open the rear bonnet of the car where the engine is located.
One last shot of the 911. The blonde lady inside suits the car perfectly – if I may say so.
Staying with red but switching to Italy – look at this superb FIAT Supersonic 8V (Otto Vu). I admit it was one of the most beautiful cars at Villa d’Este.
Talking about Italy and cars I have to include the legendary Valentino Balboni in my report.
The first chief test driver for Lamborghini and friend of the founder Ferrucio Lamborghini. What a charismatic man. Always smiling and in a good mood. Ofcourse in a Lamborghini Countach. His blazer matched the car color perfectly.
Let me show you something relatively modern but none-the less very very cool. This 1982 Rolls Royce was owned by a Middle Eastern Billionaire of Royal descent who all options you can imagine fitted to this car. Minibar, video recorder and television. Remember this is 1982!
This car probably cost more than house when delivered to the billionaire.
Even the remote control had a special leather compartment. How cool is that!?
We return to the golden age of automobile design in my opinion – the 1960s.
The experts of Aston should immediately recognize this car just by the outside fuel cap. And the rear lights.
It is indeed a DB4 GT Zagato: One of 19 and owned by a US collector.
Another front view of the Aston Martin.
The man on the right – taking a picture is Arthur from Hodinkee. He worked non-stop – his work ethics impressed me and I can only learn from this young man. Best of all he is a nice man and fun to talk to. Not normally a given from men who work so hard.
There was elegance to be everywhere at Villa d’Este. Not only in cars (thank you AK for the picture).
Staying with Elegance – I show this stunning 1953 Lancia Aurelia B52 bodied by Vignale once again.
Yes this V is for Vignale. You can read the weather maps on this Lancia if you like. Mostly sunny with a few clouds.
The next car is more cool than elegant I admit. A unique Ferrari testarossa convertible man for the playboy par excellence – Mr. Agnelli. Cool enough?
The best part of this car is the side view. Pininfarina was at his best once again.
While on the topic of Ferrari – did I show you Steve McQueens 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 yet?
Here it is. It is immediately recognizable due to the left mirror – which was a special request by Steve McQueen – that is similar to mirrors seen on the 550 Porsche spyder (McQueen was a Porsche fanatic).
Lets take another look at the 275 GTB/4 – as it is an elegant car even if there are more elegant colors (light blue, silver or Pino Verde – dark green).
While on the topic of Italian style and the color red – let me show this superb 1968 Bizzarrini owned by a Swiss collector. Just sublime.
This car was meant to be for the ‘masses’ powered by a four cylinder affordable engine. Only 11 were made before the brand went bankrupt. On a complete sidenote: The man on the left with his hand on his waist – apparently works for the German tax fraud office – and helps out at Villa d’Este just for fun.
We return to British elegance and look at this stunning 1934 Rolls Royce Phantom II in magnificent light blue. The color was just perfect.
Another superb 1957 Rolls Royce (bodied by Hooper) was this bi-color example in green.
There is something über cool about the Emblem of a vintage Bentley. Don’t you think?
We end with British elegance and the 1937 Bentley 4 Litre you see above but from further away below.
This was perhaps the most elegant line-up ever at Concorso d’Eleganza at Villa d’Este. Which makes sense because as the title suggests – it is a concours about elegance. Already now looking forward to 2017.
A big thank you to the BMW Group for organising this superb event!
