Villa d’Este is always a pleasure to experience.

Elegant, glamorous, sophisticated, stylish, and beautiful – these are some of the words that come to mind when taking part in the most exclusive and elegant concourse in Europe. I thought this year the cars were more sophisticated than prior years. More discreet. There were less obvious cars that you tend to see over and over again and more cars for the connoisseur like the Fiat 8vu, the Bugatti 51 and Ghia L 6.4 which was a dream in my opinion, not to mention damn cool – Dean Martin was the first owner.

While cars are no doubt the main theme of Concorso Villa d’Este – the people are really what makes a difference in the end. So this year I will show you nearly as many pictures of people as of the cars for a change. There will be less analysis and just more pictures with very little comment from me. 

Here are my impressions of Villa d’Este Concorso 2017:

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The first view once you enter the grounds of Villa d’Este.

The grounds of Villa d’Este are breathtaking.

This was the first sight I was greeted with once inside the Hotel and setting.

I walked to the back of the car section and was greeted by these two dream cars. 

Let us take a closer look at the Ferrari interior. It was a rare prototype 1957 Ferrari 250 California Spyder.

Look at the hip of the car where the door stops and the rear begins. This is design perfection and proves once again that Scaglietti was a genius.

Lets move to the 1962 Ghia L 6.4 which was a car made of Italian design (Ghia design) and American power (Chrysler 6.4L motor). 

I could not stop staring at this Ghia. It had something so cool. 

The first owner was Dean Martin – who was a notorious drinker, womaniser and good times guy. Guess what he had installed under his Ghia seat? Yes a gun holder!

This pretty lady inside the Ghia seemed to be all smiles despite a gun holder under the driver seat.

I love colours. Especially light blue. This was a 1965 Lamborghini 350 GT which was the first Lamborghini road car designed to compete with Ferrari.

The color of this car was a dream. I personally love light blue for cars.

Let us take a look at the turquoise car next the Lamborghini more closely. It was a dream 1959 Lancia Flaminia Sport Zagato with bubble back roof.

We move on to black – not my favourite color – but this 1955 Fiat Otto Vu (8V) by Vignale won my heart completely. 

Notice the two outside filler caps.

I followed this car all the way to the front before it paraded to the jury. What a dream.

Let us take a closer look at the driver of this dream FIAT 8vu. Nice driving gloves my friend. 

The weather played along just fine too.

Villa d’Este is all about colours. Here an 1951 Alfa 6C Supersport owned by an American couple. 

People everywhere were so elegant. It was a pleasure to be there and just people watch.

The Italians in my view are the kings of style. 

Elegance wherever you looked.

The owner of this Lancia had a beautiful passenger next to him.

This 1955 Lancia Aurelia B24 America Spyder was a perfect car for Villa d’Este. Italian and elegant.

It is one of the masterpieces of Pininfarina no doubt. Notice how the red is different here. Here the same owner as before but the. next day-traveling alone. I wonder what happened to the nice passenger from yesterday. Maybe it was too hot for her.

I love Panama hats.

Another view of this dream car from the back.

The interior of the car, simple but perfect.

Vibrant colours everywhere and not only on cars. I love how the yellow mixes in here. This lady came all the way from Paris.

B is for Bentley.

Let me show you some details. Like of this interior 1931 Bugatti 51. I love stickers.

Here another cool detail. A Ferrari 250 SWB with a factory mounted headlamp positioned where normally a mirror goes (even if it is the left side and most old cars omit the mirror on that side).

Very cool and unique.

Here is the proof – it is indeed a headlamp.

One last cool detail before we show you more people pictures. A very rare DB4 GTAston Martin Zagato original left hand drive was present. 

How do I know it was left hand drive and matching numbers? Look at the sign below on the car. L on the end stands for Left hand drive. Both Engine Nr and Chassis have the same numbers.

You know Villa d’Este is the perfect place to take your family even if you are showing a car. Like this young American collector with his very cute family.

It was soon time for lunch. And Italians know their food.

And a little bit of this.

Equals this.

Lets get back to cars. How about the car on the left. A 5000 GT  Maserati – a model made initially for the Shah of Iran. 

A closer look at the Maserati of which less than 33 were made.

From the back on the way to present itself to the judges.

Would you like to see more red – the color of passion? How about this 1953 Fiat Otto Vu supersonic.

Let us move on to something fun and different. A 1954 Siata 208. The racing helmets were ready to go.

And the owner also had the driving gloves to match the interior.

 

There were plenty of young people at Villa d’Este who thankfully don’t run around in sneakers and tracksuits.

Like this beautiful couple who showed plenty of style.

Allow me to show you a car you don’t see everyday. This Fiat 1100 designed by Frau in 1946.

It was Frua’s very first design ever!

I wonder what watch the driver was wearing? A cool Jaquet Droz large seconds.

Let us take a look at the back – it was as stylish as the front. The color seems different because the car was in the shade and then sun.

Another car that you don’t see everyday was this Tatra from 1934. It has a very cool Sunroof that folded out of leather.

We should show at least one German car. What about a Gullwing? Those side air vents are like Art.

Here it is about to be paraded before the judges.

Even though it was a brutally hot day people were exceptionally well dressed. Like these elegant British gentleman. 

It seems the British can’t leave their home without an umbrella – even when its not raining. 

We finish off with another people picture, since in the end – that is what it is all about.

Here one of the 12 judges – and youngest one-  at the Concorso (left) – a fine well mannered and super nice guy who still dresses old school. Completely my cup of tea and why we get along so well.

Already now looking forward to attend Villa d’Este in 2018.

For my impressions of Villa d’Este 2016 please see our reports Part I and Part II here.