Villa d’Este has really established itself as the premier concourse event in Europe.
It attracts the best cars from all over the world and seems to go from strength to strength every year. Just when you think it cannot get any better – it does.
This year I noticed something that is worth commenting on. I am not sure if it is a trend or not (by definition you need more than one data point for something to be called a trend) but here is my take.
For the first time at Villa d’Este (I have been coming for 8 years now), I saw a large decrease in pre-war cars and more super cars from the 1980s. I could be a reflection of a change in taste among car collectors. Lets face it, tastes are shifting among classic car collectors, something I already wrote about here. Younger collectors are coming to the the market and attracted more to a Porsche 959 than an old Bugatti or a Ferrari from the 1960s.
So it was unsurprising to see a 959 Porsche present at Villa d’Este.
I did welcome the Porsche 959 at the Concorso; but my advice to the organising committee of Villa d’Este is to compare apples to apples. Putting a Porsche 959 from the 1980s in the same judging class as a Miura or Bizzarini from the 1960’s is very tricky and not comparable. However I think the concourse is doing a good job and changing with the times and collectors tastes. I expect to see more modern (1990s supercars) next year.
Enjoy the pictures of Villa d’Este 2019.
First car I saw was as usual outside of entrance of Villa d’Este.
Left or right? In this case and because of the color and options on it, I clearly choose left.
Once inside – the first car I noticed: A 1950’s Maserati A6G 2000 by Frua – it was marvellous.
Notice the nice weather at midday. It would soon change.
The interior of the Maserati was equally beautiful. I love the orange switches and buttons in the centre.
We stay with the color red and show this exceptional Supersonic Jaguar from the 1950’s, bodied by Ghia.
This car is proof that there is classic cars are art. They are sculptures.
Staying with Italian design we move onto this dream Ferrari 1960s 250 SWB competition – an alloy bodied car.
Notice the fuel cap and the plastic to protect fuel from dripping on the exhaust. This gives away that it is a competition car (normal SWB don’t usually have that).
This was a superb car and color (called shell green).
Another feature of the competition car is the plastic deflector on the bonnet of the car.
Function? To stop bugs from hitting the windscreen and help the driver with visibility.
Villa d’Este is all about design details. Below a touring bodied Ferrari 340 America.
Staying with Ferrari – what about this dream 1955 Ferrari 250 GT competition car? Bodied by whom else but Pininfarina.
Love the Fiat script and font below.
Villa d’Este is about relaxing and enjoying.
There were some nice watches at the concourse – like this rare 1950s honeycomb Rolex 6098 with star indexes.
Or how about this rare 1950s Rolex 8171 Padelone in steel?
We move on to another special British car. A unique 1960’s Aston Martin DBS by touring once owned by Sir David Brown (owner of Aston Martin).
The back was unlike any other Aston I have ever seen.
Another angle of the back of the car -because it is so special. I like the twin side exhaust too.
Behind it a California Spyder. LWB or SWB? You can learn how to tell from my post on that here.
Staying with Aston, an unrestored DB4 GT Zagato was also present.
It was once owned by the head of the Police department in Bern (and still carries the Bern license plates).
Staying with red – how about this very rare 1949 Ferrari Barchetta 166 Mille Miglia?
Why do I show it? Because it is the third Ferrari road car ever made.
The weather would soon change sadly. It started pouring rain and the Aston did not escape from it while presenting itself to the judges.
Umbrella’s everywhere.
This well dressed gentlemen didn’t care much and was still enjoying his cigar.
Below the fantastic Aston Martin DBS that looked more like a 275 GTB from the profile from far.
Villa d’Este is all about colors and original colors belonging to the cars.
My favourite was this dream Nocciola (or hazelnut) 1960s Ferrari 275 GTB/4. Proof that Ferrari looks best not in red.
What about this delightful blue coloured 1950s Ferrari 342 America?
From the front also nice.
Time for lunch. In Italy the food is simple but perfect.
Back to cars and colors – how about this dream Alfa Romeo in light blue?
The readers of my blog should recognise the flag on the right by now. The king of elegance Vignale.
Last I show two great futuristic cars that caused a sensation at villa d’Este.
First the Ferrari 512 Modulo from 1970 which was never meant to be a production car.
And last the sensational Lamborghini Marzal from 1967. The interior looking like a space ship rather than a car.
It was time for drink at the bar.
In Italy the staff dress better than the guests – another reason I love the country so much.
I look forward to Villa d’Este 2020.
