Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2023 – A Rainy Spectacle
ANIMAL MAGNETISM OF VILLA D’ESTE
Animal magnetism has many definitions. On one hand it describes a pseudoscientific theory that there is an invisible natural force in every living organism. On the other, it is a name of a Scorpions studio album, nota bene one of my favourites. Lastly, it can also be a colloquialism for charisma. German rock band aside, beyond the shadow of a doubt both meanings can be applied to this indescribable force which makes one book the trip to Villa d’Este, no matter how many times one had attended the Concorso before.
Such persistence and repetitiveness is rewarded by the characteristics of the show. Every single time it surprises with unknown and enchants with that distinctive, inimitable vibe. This year was no different and one of the greatest factors flipping the day upside down was the weather. From a light drizzle in the morning, forecasts materialised and it rained all day long. Ready to grab an umbrella and stroll through the premises of the Grand Hotel?
STELLAR EXHIBITION ON A RATHER DAMP LAWN
One aspect of Concorso d’Eleganza is constant and it is the array of cars. The selecting committee consisting of seven people performs brilliantly, but one can only imagine how difficult it must be to shortlist some fifty cars from wildly gossiped thousands of applicants. Breathtaking vehicle choices aside, what is the most impressive to me is how well are they curated in their classes. Year after year, there is a number of themes with a matching set of vehicles within.
Passing by the restaurant at the waterfront of Villa d’Este I strolled by a hot premiere exposed in the garden. There will be time for it, but later. What caught my attention were very appealing rears of two very special race cars in contrasting bodies and temperaments. In the fastest colour of them all stood a 1959 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa. Only one of five prepared by the brand from Maranello for that particular racing season, chassis number 0774 TR was magically bodied by Fantuzzi. Being visually seductive did not prevent it from being successful on the track and win 24h of Le Mans in 1960. Its neighbour was a Mercedes-Benz 300SL Coupe from 1952 and achieved the same feat eight years earlier. Not the fastest yet extremely reliable, it proved almost invincible at the many races it entered in its epoque.
Few steps farther and partly covered with umbrellas was rather an unconventional trio. Apollo 3500 Gran Turismo Spyder was followed by Citroen SM Espace Heuliez and winged by an Isdera Spyder 033-16. Doubtlessly the closest to my taste is the first, extremely compelling automobile. Apollo was conceived in the USA, yet the lines cannot deceive anyone. Its body was penned by Scaglione and manufactured by Intermeccanica in Turin. The idea of matching classic Italian design with American, technological reliability was brilliant as such but unfortunately failed for managerial reasons after just 88 unique vehicles. The one on display? No other than the very prototype, one of one powered by a 3.5-litre V8 from Buick! The accompanying Citroen and Isdera were equally as captivating, but what the three cars had in common were very different but extremely spellbinding interiors.
ITALIAN POST-WAR SUPERSTARS
It is not a secret that my love for motorization has its peak at the post war grand tourers. It is especially strong when these come from Italy and therefore this year my automotive soul had a real feast.
Where else could I start than adding two more Ferrari 250 to the previously introduced Testa Rossa? First and foremostly there was the holy grail of collecting – the mighty 250 GTO. This particular example entered by David MacNeil is the 24th out of 36 ever made. Interestingly, it bears exactly the same livery as it did when racing at Le Mans in 1963. Whilst it did not win back then, it swept a Class G trophy at the Concours.
Also coming out on top, claiming the famous Coppa d’Oro was Ferrari 250 GT Spyder California. Slightly more common than the GTO but by no means populous – one of 55 ever made – this second series short-wheelbase cabriolet is an exhibit of pristine restoration. Its first owner was famous French writer Francois Sagan which just enriches the history of the vehicle. She once said that “whisky, gambling and Ferraris are better than housework” and she definitely had a point!
Let us stay with the brand from Maranello to admire two more special cars. Ferrari 212 Export was presented ‘just’ with Mention of Honour in Class F “That ‘made in Italy’ look” but is one of my personal favourites of the weekend. One of only eight bodied by Vignale, this particular vehicle with chassis number 0080E was exhibited in 1951 at the Turin Motor Show. Just after that, it was handed over to its first owner, Vittorio Emmanuele Massimo, Prince of Roccasecca.
Not many automobiles can beat the extreme rarity of being produced in just four pieces. This here Ferrari 330 GTC Speciale is one of them, featuring exceptionally elegant Pininfarina body. From the very sleek headlight covers, through a streamlined roof design all the way to the more typical 330 GT rear cut, it strikes the perfect design tunes. If you sprinkle over with a curious ordering story starring American surgeon Michael DeBakey and his friends – Belgian Princess de Réthy and former King Leopold III – the outcome can only be one. Yes, you guessed it right, Class E winner but also a Honorary Award in the Best of Show by the jury!
There is obviously an Italian classic car world outside of Maranello, too. High in my rankings but coming from the Concours empty-handed is Lancia Florida Coupe Pinin Farina. As a one-off two-door it measures a staggering five metres and wears a body heavily influenced by the American style. Based on an Aurelia B56 it eventually paved the way for the Lancia Flaminia we all know. Now in immaculate, fully restored condition, this Florida enriches the Lopresto Collection.
Much more of a ‘common’ sight is the Maserati 3500 GT Coupe. Bodied by Carrozzeria Touring, to me it is a car that could form the encyclopaedic definition of automotive elegance. Presented exhibit was finished in ‘oro metallizzato’ over white leather and delivered straight to Las Vegas as… Eddie Fisher’s present to his wife, actress Liz Taylor. Surprisingly she disliked it, so it was gifted further to yet another actor, Anthony Quinn. Fast forward to the present, it now enriches a Japanese collection and was brought across by Hidetomo Kimura, the man behind Concorso d’Eleganza Kyoto.
INCREDIBLE INDIA AND ITS MIGHTY MAHARAJAS
Carefully curated classes at Concorso d’Eleganza are one of its strongest points. Enthralling and well thought-through, sometimes they get as flamboyant as this year’s Class C - The Dazzling Motoring Indulgences of the Mighty Maharajas. Exhibiting some of the most adventurous choices when it comes to spending money on cars as a fabulously rich king of India, this category consisted of six cars. Four Rolls-Royces, a Packard and a Duesenberg fought for triumph in this oh so exotic group.
Pre-war cars are not my cup of tea and it takes something extremely special produced before 1939 to dazzle me. That something definitely was the 1928 Rolls-Royce Sports Phantom Prototype Experimental. One of three made, painted in a tribute Sax Blue colour it was delivered new in 1928 to Maharaja Hari Singh of Kashmir and stayed under royal ownership until 1976. Its polished hood hides an inline-six bored out to an extreme 7.8 litre. The onlyone from the experimental cars sold unmodified to a client, it remains as such even after restoration. Now, also with a Mention of Honor in its class.
Likely the most flamboyant car of them all in the gardens of Villa d’Este was the 1935 Duesenberg SJ Speedster. Presented was the last of the 36 ever produced and the only one with John Gurney Nutting tailored Boattail Speedster body. The two-tone exterior paired with extremely powerful engine generating up to 320 horsepower could be catapulted to a staggering 220 km/h. Imagine how insane these numbers were in 1935. It was delivered new to 28-year old Maharaja Holkar of Indore – but rather than to India, it ended up in his residence in California. Simply spectacular automobile, well deserved class winner and… Best of Show at this year’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este.
WHAT IF YOU DECIDE TO ARRIVE BY PLANE?
You might be wondering what do I mean by “arriving by plane”, as majority of the participants and guests naturally have flown in to Italy. Long haul, short haul, red-eye – you name it. There was one exception though… this year Phillip Sarofim decided to set his Meyers Manx Airways team in motion and fly in with his seaplane all the way from California to Lago di Como.
The show was simply astounding and extremely bold. During the car presentations and parade the 1950s Grumman HU-16 Albatross first flew alongside the lake making a rather noticeable noise. After a second approach it landed on the lake and directed itself towards the Grand Hotel. It immediately grasped the attention of the public and after a short while set itself for take-off. Two nine-cylinder Wright radial-engines generating almost 1500 horsepower each roared for the last time and the show was over.
Sarofim has also entered the concours in Class D commemorating Porsche’s 75th jubilee with a 935. The car wore a black paintwork and came out victorious its first race ever at the 1979’s Daytona 24h. It had won back then despite a broken turbocharger and missing passenger door. This story was however insufficient to shine in class dominated by the 1963 Porsche 901 Prototyp "Quickblau“. The latter is in hands of Alois Ruf since 1968 and is the oldest 911 prototype in existence.
MODERN PREMIERES FROM MUNICH
The main patronage over the concours obliges and BMW Group successfully uses the prestigious grounds of Villa d’Este to premiere their products. This year was no exception and visitors could admire two rather different cars. The first one came from Rolls-Royce and is the brand’s first fully electric vehicle. A two suicide-door coupe eventually utilises the epitome of perfect Rolls-Royce drivetrain – silent yet extremely powerful. Its sleek body lines, although linked and partially similar to the BMW i7, are elegant throughout. My favourite angle? Definitely the front!
The second car is at the opposite end of the spectrum. BMW Z4 Concept Touring Coupe immediately draws the connection to the very early BMW Z3 Coupe – a beautiful yet very controversial design. The recreation was fitted with a 3-litre inline six delivering 340-horsepower in a streamlined body, which I would classify as a two-door shooting brake. Long story short, it has been a while since I saw a modern automobile from Munich that elegant.
THE PARADE SHOWS ARE BACK
What I remembered from my very first visit at Concorso d’Eleganza in 2017 was the graceful matching of the cars with a couple of models dressed in epoque outfits. Such a performance is very difficult to execute with class, as it is so simple to fall on the side of cliché. To me back then, at Villa Erba it was done just right. Diverse group of models representing different sexes and ethnicities enhanced the show. Unfortunately… these were gone for quite a few editions.
This year has brought a re-appearance of these small shows, announcing entire classes as opposed to single vehicles in the past. Spectators could admire oriental dance preceding the Incredible India category, enjoy the Italian show to Orchestra Volare’s twist on ‘Mambo Italiano’ or get into the mood of 24h du Mans vibes before the racing class came. Returning once again was also the Concorso band or orchestra, if you will. Their class and live act is simply inimitable and I hope together with the themed performances they are here to stay.
IN A CLASS OF HIS OWN
There is Concorso d’Eleganza, there is Simon Kidston. Year in, year out, the event would not be the same without him and chorus of praise are spoken on how exemplary his presentation skills are. Whilst those are rightfully due for every Concorso as far as my memory recalls, this year Kidston has shown the ultimate effort.
Standing in the pouring rain with a radiant smile on, without the slightest frown on his face, he continued to engage with entrants and entertain participants with curious stories. Those told in witty, colourful way as usual are the jewel in the crown of the parade, if not of the entire show. Chapeau bas, Simon Kidston, you are in a class of your own.
PEOPLE, PEOPLE… PEOPLE!
If there was a slightest shadow of a doubt in your mind that this rather long reportage from Villa d’Este will omit the people who attended, be relieved! As per the usual, those were the smiles exchanged, the conversations held and lively discussions all around that brought in the sun to the Grand Hotel, even if just metaphorically.
Classy guests admired the stunning vehicles whilst characteristically dressed jury including charismatic J. Philip Rathgen, Max Girardo and Laura Kukuk amongst others carefully examined them. Those moments many times turned into small spectacles with engines revving or some peculiarities of a car being shown with pride of their owners. In the distance one could notice Valentino Balboni strolling along… likely to say hello the Lamborghini Miura P400 SV coming from Japan and in rather frequent use. There was laughter, chatter and great joy all around. That’s why we all love coming back.
UNTIL THE NEXT TIME
In a blink of an eye I found myself standing in the queue to the shuttle to get back to the city of Como. The parade was over, Coppa d’Oro presented and the crowd was rushing out – either to order another negroni inside the restaurant or bid for another Concorso-eligible automobile at the RM Sotheby’s auction at Villa Erba. Personally, realizing that due to all the excitement and enjoyment of the moment I have hardly eaten, I was very much looking forward to a dinner with my friend in the city.
I waved Villa d’Este goodbye and jumped into the BMW M5 that just arrived. After a short but interesting conversation with a couple who headed to the auction willing to bid, it was not long after we arrived at the city centre. It was the roaring twin-turbo V8 heading back to the Grand Hotel that woke me up from the automotive dream I have just lived. Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, as always, you have done great!
Text & Photos: Adam Pekala ©
