It is really a privilege to attend the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este.
It is not only the most important Concours in Europe, it is probably the most elegant too. In fact this concours is probably the most elegant motoring event in the world. Full stop. Everything was just perfect. The weather, the cars, the elegant people. The food.
This year the cars were exceptional, maybe due to some changes made not only in the Jury but also in the selecting committee which improved the breadth of cars on display.
It was our fourth time at Villa dEste and this year might have been the best so far. Villa d’Este is really about the cars but also the people not only in terms of collectors who brought their cars but also journalists, restoration experts, and just people who genuinely enjoy beautiful cars.
We have tried to capture this with the pictures below. From pre-war cars to beautiful 1950s and 1960s elegance- there was something for every taste.
Lets get started.
When I woke up on Saturday morning and stepped on my balcony – I knew it was going to be a good day.
As I do every year to escape the traffic- I politely decline the BMW limousine service on Saturday (despite their beautiful new 7 series which are a dream) and take the bicycle from my hotel to the Villa d’Este.
Once I see the big sign – I know I am in the right place.
Lets start with my favourite cars. I believe the 1950s and 1960s represent the golden age of automobiles. Two of my favourite Ferrari built both from the 250 series. A SWB and a TDF.
I can never tire of these cars.
Perhaps the best view of the 250 SWB is from behind. Collectors say it has the most beautiful ‘derrière’ of any car ever built.
Next we move on to its older cousin. The very original 250 TDF from 1957. Muscular but feminine at the same time. This car was an absolute dream.
The owner of this wonderful 250 TDF has a full history file in the back for everyone to see including pictures of when it was raced. Races included the Nürburgring 1000km in 1958.
According to the owner the car has only 40′oookm which are believe to be original (please remember this car is nearly 60 years old)! The car allegedly (who knows for sure) has never had an accident and the only known damage was when the car was forced into an Airplane and the back fender got bent in 1958 in May.
What makes this car even more outstanding is that this is THE 250 TDF that is on the Ferrari factory brochure of the 250GT LWB TDF! Yes this is one special 250 TDF.
The 250 TDF had honest patina- that the crowds adored. The car was like a magnet.
You always were drawn back to it. Look at the side of the door rim. That is patina at its best. The interior is completely original (according to the Ferrari Classiche).
Nothing was touched, not the interior or exterior after the May 1958 incident. Consequently it can be assumed that this is the only Ferrari TDF competition car in the world that is entirely original.
Here the view from the back of the car. The fins are typical of the 1950s design.
The 250 had a worthy competitor as a neighbour. It was indeed one of the most beautiful and rare cars Maserati ever made: a AG62000 Zagato.
Lets move on to another beautiful car. A beautiful FIAT 8v (or otto vu). Yes also FIAT built exclusive cars in the 1950s.
Here she is from a top down view. She was absolutely gorgeous. Notice the outside fuel cap.
While we are on the top lets take a look at the beautiful scenery. Because Villa d’Este Concourso is more than just about cars. It is also about the setting. People. Elegance.
Another car that caught my attention was this rare Lancia Aurelia B52. It was a piece of art. Notice the 6 exhaust pipes. Chrome everywhere. My taste 100%.
The interior of this special Lancia was a dream too. One of my favorite cars no doubt. This car is from 1953.
The Concorso at Villa d’Este was not only about cars. It was also about people.
Elegant people with nice hats.
The concorso was also about food. Good Italian food.
Perhaps we should get back to cars. Because there were many great ones to be seen. Like this fantastic and very rare Zagato bodied Jaguar.
This Jaguar was equally aggressive from the back. I like the Jaguar emblem stating its win in Le Mans. Also notice the outside fuel cap.
Besides cars there were two other things that distracted me slightly at Villa d’Este. One was watches. Especially this 3448 Patek Philippe (a young Italian dealer brought this beautiful watch along).
The other distraction was no less wonderful. The models of the Concorso. There is famous saying: Sometimes less is more. Applicable here?
Back to cars. Another true delight was this beautiful and very rare 1900 SS (super sprint) Alfa Romeo from the 1950s.
The front was no less attractive.
Talking about elegance- this row had among the most elegant cars of Villa d’Este. This includes a superb 250 Europa Speciale (made for Princess Lilian de Rethy of Belgium). It was owned by a Mexican collector who had the most charming wife.
There was a a lot of color at the Concorso d’Eleganza at Villa d’Este. Including this marvelous lime green color. Superb!
I am not a fan of big heavy British cars. But when they have a two-tone paint like these Rolls Royce have- then they are superb.
Clearly this photographer had the same intention as me. And why not?
We end with the last car that is not seen often. A cute Pegaso that also won many hearts of the crowd. According to one judge (he was an official judge at the Villa d’Este concorso) who has impeccable taste: ‘This is a Picasso on wheels’. We look forward to 2016. But 2015 will be hard to beat!
For the villa d’Este night tour please see our post here. For our report on villa d’Este 2016 please see here.
