Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2024 - Interviews with Stars of Concorso

A DIFFERENT TAKE ON THE REPORTAGE

Ever since I had visited the premises of Villa d’Este for the first time, Concorso d’Eleganza has become one of my favourite events of the automotive calendar. Year in and year out I came at Como, enjoyed its (most often) beautiful weather and described all the amazing vehicles gathered around the Grand Hotel. With every visit, I slowly started to realise that even though the cars are more than impressive, those are the people and their accompanying stories that make this show so unique.

So why not turn the reportage around? Rather than just wrap up the story with a short cliché statement that “it is all about the people”, let’s shift the spotlight onto those, who really made these few days so special! Join me for a series of interviews with hosts, collectors, manufacturers and… well, you’ll find out!

J. PHILLIP RATHGEN – CEO AT CLASSIC DRIVER, FORMER JUDGE

Adam: Phillip, it is your first time at Concorso d’Eleganza not as a judge, how does it feel?

JP: It’s amazing, actually! Of course, I miss also the judging but it is absolutely amazing to see it in a relaxed manner. I came absolutely unprepared which is not usual and I enjoy so far every minute of it!

Adam: Have you already had the chance to walk around and see the selection of vehicles?

JP: I walked already several times around there cars which I enjoyed very much and I already have two or three favourites in my mind.

Adam: Could you share these with us?

JP: I am super happy to! So one of course as a poster car of my childhood is the McLaren F1 - I mean that is just an obvious in a sense for the more modern side. I really liked the old, massive and fantastic Graba Talbot Lago, which is a very late body, also a fantastic car. The third one must be the Bugatti Type 35C - simply an amazing vehicle. Look at the condition, a very young owner, very knowledgeable and I was very astounded to see that!

Adam: And also related the very curious story of its colour being changed from blue to red.

JP: Absolutely. Thank you very much and enjoy the rest of the Concours!

Adam: Thank you!

LAURA KUKUK VON GLAHN – JUDGE & CLASSIC CAR SPECIALIST

Adam: So the Saturday at Concorso d’Eleganza is over and the Coppa d’Oro winner has been announced. What was the toughest part to judge for you this year so far?

Laura: So my classes… I had class A and E, and they had quite a difference in cars so it was quite difficult to just judge within one class but all in all, the quality of cars was again insane. I also really enjoyed the parade because that is the first time I actually see all the cars. But yeah, I had some trouble trying to find the best car.

Adam: In your classes or in general?

Laura: Out of my classes. In general I will need to spend time tomorrow, but I am so glad the sun has come out!

Adam: What do you think about the Coppa d’Oro winner?

Laura: So we all had our bets, because that is the one prize we don’t have any influence on and it is always so different. And it is the first time such a modern car has won I think… I mean, I worked at McLaren so I am all for it, and the F1 is such an iconic car and from the engineering point of view, come on! It really has made a difference so I am really happy about it. Some were not happy about it because they are real Italian lovers and they would have loved it if one of the Lambos won, but I am a McLaren girl, so that is all right!

Adam: Thank you very much!

MAGNUS WALKER – FASHION DESIGNER, CAR COLLECTOR AND AUTHOR

Adam: It’s your first time at the premises of Villa d’Este, isn’t it? How are you liking it so far?

Magnus: Yes, first time, here! It’s exciting, really inspiring - lots of cool cars in great setting so… happy to be here!

Adam: Do you have your favourite car so far?

Magnus: Not yet, I haven’t walked all the way around but you know, this is pretty unusual, the Aston Martin Shooting Brake but too early to tell.

Adam: Of course, you are a Porsche guy, and you drove the Yellowbird, with Aloisa.

Magnus: Not the prototype though that set all the records but yeah, I drove the production one which was great, really!

Adam: Could you tell a little bit more about the feeling of driving that car?

Magnus: Well, you know, it’s not a Porsche, it’s a RUF as I say, but if you’re familiar with Porsche it’s the best Porsche you can have, really. It’s like a Porsche on steroids - insanely familiar but lots of power, gives a lot of confidence, puts the power down, handles great. Everything didn’t disappoint.

Adam: Are you visiting any other events around Como this weekend?

Magnus: No, not yet. We’ve been in Turin with Pininfarina, I am working on a project with those guys that I am super exited about. So, spent three days in Turin, visited the old Fiat factory and walked around the track on the roof. So, you know, few days in Italy is good - living the dolce vita!

Adam: Thank you very much! Cheers!

Magnus: No worries, man, take it easy!

SIMON KIDSTON – PRESENTER AND SELECTING COMMITTEE EXPERT

Adam: Simon, you have seen it all, you led this fantastic Concours for so many years - cannot even recall how many…

Simon: Like part of the furniture! Since the 2000.

Adam: So, after all these years, what is the favourite moment of the event for you?

Simon: The atmosphere from the public… the energy from the public is always, can I say encouraging, it is great to feel it - makes you want to do this for as long as they want to have me. But I think this year what really surprised me was the Coppa d’Oro winner and I thought it was great that a car as young as the McLaren F1 but also not a car you would associate with a Concours of Elegance was voted as the Coppa d’Oro car. When I see that, it gives me a great hope for the future of collecting cars.

Adam: Do you think that indicates a shift in the collector’s world?

Simon: I think it indicates that the collectors’ world is willing to think outside of the box and not just to go for the grand classics, which are still as relevant as ever by the way. It is also really good to see young people driving two of the oldest cars of the event - the Type 35C Bugatti and the 8C 2300 Alfa Romeo - in both cases, people in their twenties. That’s really good but equally, to see cars like the McLaren F1. I think diversity is key - not just to focus on only the pre-war cars or only the modern supercars I think variety is the spice of life and collectors who recognise that will have a much more interesting collection as a result.

Adam: And to wrap up, for you personally - which of the classes were you favourite?

Simon: I think I have to say I have a soft spot for some of the 1920s cars like the Blower Bentley. The 1914 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost is simply spectacular even if you are not into that type of car which I can’t say is my first choice but just to see that car and to study the craftsmanship and to read about its history - and by the way that is one of the great things about doing this, you do read a lot beforehand and you discover cars that you didn’t know before. Other favourites were the Ferrari 335S - I mean that is just a beast of a car and obviously the Michael Mann film I think brings that into all of our consciousness and of course the Countach in the memory of the great late Marcello Gandini.

Adam: Which one?

Simon: Purple.

ALOIS RUF – FOUNDER OF RUF AUTOMOBILE

Adam: Hi Alois! It is the first time that you had the chance to present your own production car here at Villa d’Este. How does it feel?

Alois: And it’s already a classic! It’s a great feeling, it seems like it was yesterday in 1987 and suddenly became a classic. And I became a classic too, I guess!

Adam: What was the original concept, because it ended up being the fastest car of its era? How did you come up with the modifications?

Alois: The idea was to build a car that is slim and light, and see how fast it could go with a good engine and with a long-ratio gearbox which, we had our own gearboxes at that time, we built the 5-speed and later the 6-speed and therefore the result was great. We did 339kmph and then later, a year later the car was driven by Auto Motor und Sport and it even did 342!

Adam: And it is such a great result even today! What is the moment that you are awaiting most today?

Alois: Well, today, fifteen minutes ago we had the jury here and they were judging the car and looking forward to get some results and see it but I am not expecting to be the winner here because there are other spectacular cars here as well. But the fact of being here, being invited for this event makes it very worthwhile and makes me very content.

Adam: Thank you very much and congratulations!

ALOISA RUF – PHOTOGRAPHER, ARTIST, MECHANIC AND DRIVER

Adam: So, you drove this car?

Aloisa: I did, the CTR Prototype - my first spin I took in it was driving it to London the day of me getting my driving license.

Adam: It is a pretty impressive first car to drive.

Aloisa: Oh, it’s not impressive, it is crazy scary. Absolutely frightening and fun, that’s for sure!

Adam: So how do you compare the experience of driving it now, that you are more skilled driver and of course you know all the cars much better to the first time that you drove it?

Aloisa: It is more fun, because you understand the car. You loose the fear, you keep the respect and you just become one with it.

Adam: And of course, you are super into cars and you’ve been here for so many years. What is your favourite moment of Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este?

Aloisa: So far it was last year when we won Best in Class. It was so special to see my family getting the recognition, my father getting the recognition. That was one of the most special cars in our collection, especially emotionally. I mean it is the oldest 911 in the World, it was the first 911 my father owned as a seventeen year old boy. It happened to be, by fate, the first 911 ever, which we didn’t know at the time and to roll over the podium, to have the applause and all the celebration was almost like an honour to what my father has put together, what my family has put together and amazing to go back into history in that car and driving it into the future. It gives me goosebumps every time I think about it! And let’s see how the Yellowbird does this year… I mean, the fact that we are just here it is the first time that a RUF VIN-number car is participating in a Concours of Elegance. It is a very high recognition to us.

Adam: Congratulations on that!

Aloisa: Thank you!

*Alois and Aloisa Ruf driving the first 911 during Concorso d’Eleganza 2023 - the car won Best of Class.*

VINCENT KOLB & ALEX VON SCHOLLER – RACING DRIVER AND 2024 ENTRANT

Adam: Hi Vincent! We are here at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. It’s your first time presenting a car. Would you like to describe a bit the experience that you are having?

Vincent: It is a great experience! Big shout out to the organisers, to Villa d’Este for offering such a great place to display these beautiful cars. I just had a moment for a walkthrough and it is breathtaking to see modern cars, very historic cars in all different styles, our Bugatti being in the preservation class so seeing some beautifully restored cars and of course enjoy the great conversations with fans and followers of this event. It’s just great!

Adam: Aside of your Bugatti which I’m gonna get to, do you have a favourite car after your walkthrough.

Vincent: From here? To pick up one is very, very difficult! I really enjoy the Ferrari 330 GTC, the RUF Yellowbird is a dream car, so famous with its Nordschleife lap it did in the late 80s. I simply can’t name one car to be my favourite.

Adam: And your Bugatti, unrestored from 1928… could you tell a bit more about it? Any curiosities?

Vincent: So this is factory works racing Bugatti which entered in 1928 the Targa Florio in May. It was then sold ten days after to Jannine Jennky who was female race driver from France, winning the Coupe de Bourgogne 10 days after the Targa Florio - which I think is very, very impressive. Then it’s sold onto a couple more owners for example Ricardo Bernasconi - an Italian connoisseur of the automotive world. Since he was Italian, he had the car repainted after an advice from Bugatti from blue to red and it is so beautiful to see some of the blue patina shining through the red paint. The car overall did 32 races and it is still in its absolute original condition from 1932 - the moment when it was repainted red. It has a matching numbers engine, supercharger, it has the original interior so I would say on the patina side this car tells many, many, many stories.

Adam: And you Alex, are you looking forward to the parade?

Alex: Definitely, yes! I think it is great to show these cars to the public, and also to hear the engines. It is amazing and I am looking forward to it!

CORRADO LOPRESTO – CLASSIC CAR COLLECTOR, OWNER OF LOPRESTO COLLECTION

Adam: Corrado, this year you brought this phenomenal Diatto. I saw it last year at Fuori Concorso. Could you tell a bit more about it - is it a one-off? I have also heard it was a different color before?

Corrado: Yes, this is a one-off Diatto. Model 20S is a very, very racing car. And Diatto started in mid 1800s, 1860-65. They started with building a train and navy ships, and when fashion for automobiles arrived they changed the production line for cars. Diatto stared together with Bugatti, therefore the branding is similar, and collaboration lasted for ten years with a model Diatto Bugatti. They had a racing team at Diatto with the Maserati brothers when they introduced Diatto in 1925-26 with a model 30 8-cylinders. After one they stopped the production and Diatto requested the war compensation payment from the Italian government. It didn’t arrive so they stopped the production and maintained only the spare parts production department. The last chassis 8-cylinder Diatto gave to Maserati - who were then able to start the company thanks to Diatto.

*Corrado Lopresto with his son, Duccio, during the parade at 2024 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este.*

Adam: You are a frequent guest at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, what is your favourite moment of the day?

Corrado: The moment when I am back at my home, haha! But to be honest, the most beautiful time is when I am waiting to arrive here, say around six months before. You decide which model, you prepare the car, prepare the story. Then on the day the judges arrive, we start the car - and it is ready, then we relax.

Adam: Out of all the cars you have entered over the years - amongst many the Giulia SS Prototipo by B.A.T. in 2017, Lancia Florida last year. Which cars of your collection were your favourite to enter at Concorso?

Corrado: I mean, Lancia Florida is the best car in the world for design. It introduced a new element in the history of design - it is not only my favourite, but also for designers. For Gandini. Which car do you prefer in the world? Lancia Florida. The connection to Pininfarina… Revelli Debomond designed the car, and with it he changed the design of cars for the next twenty years. It was a very important shock for the design. Other people prefer Ferrari, or race engines - I prefer design. Florida is the to me one of the most important in my collection (see below photographs of Corrado and his family at Concorso d’Eleganza 2023).

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Concorso d'Eleganza - Villa d'Este (122).JPG

VALENTINO BALBONI – FORMER TEST DRIVER AT LAMBORGHINI

Adam: We are here at Concorso d’Eleganza. I have seen you many times here, for how long have you been visiting?

Valentino: A lot of times, a lot of times and it is always a first time. It is always an emotion and a pleasure because this is the best we have in Italy, it is exclusive and finally in the recent years we could see many Lamborghinis, which makes the show even better.

Adam: Of course! And this year there are three Lamborghinis (there were actually four…) from what I counted…

Valentino: Yes, three beautiful cars! A Diablo GT which is very, very rare, with a beautiful history behind, there is a Countach, which is a LP400 which is also very special (there was also a Countach 25th Anniversary Edition), then a Miura P400. And when you say a Miura, you say everything.

Adam: Absolutely. Relating to the Miura, some (people) give you the nickname of a “Miura Whisperer”. Do you remember this particular one?

Valentino: Well, I remember every Miura, remember every car. It has been a pleasure to be there in the right time and you know, I became a test driver testing a Miura so it is something that I will never forget.

Adam: And out of the three Lamborghinis, do you have a favourite?

Valentino: They are all my kids, you know, difficult to say but from the emotional point of view I would take the Miura. It is a car I took on the road when I was 22 years old, being a test drive, I’ll never forget that.

Adam: Thank you very much!

Valentino: My pleasure, thank you!

HENRY COZON – HEAD OF COMMERCIAL AT GROUP LOTUS

Adam: Henry, we are standing in front of the Lotus Type 66. Why is it so special? You mentioned before you will built ten of these.

Henry: We are going to build ten of these to celebrate the ten races that would have been in the CanAm Championships in the 1970. That’s how we’ve come up with ten. We have done this car because we wanted to come up with something to celebrate the anniversary of Lotus’ 75 years. We spoke to Clive Chapman, Colin’s son, and he suggested that we build this CanAm car - because he had these old drawings filed away for years and years and haven’t really seen the light of day. We thought that was a good idea. We then took these amazing drawings all stored on microfilm and set about to bring it to life. We re-engineered the car to modern standards, because you know - you need a proper crash structure, it’s got carbon fibre body, but… it is still very true to what it would have looked like back in the day. So effectively, it is the re-discovered Lotus engineered to the XXI-century standards, so a very usable track car.

Adam: Where does the name origin come from?

Henry: Interestingly, the reason why it is called Type 66 is because every Lotus has a type number and when you look back through all the type numbers there is one missing in the archive - and that was Type 66. This would have been it and it has already been assigned being that close to going into the CanAm racing, so it is very much part of the CanAm story. This is the prototype, the production will start next year. it should have around 850bhp at 950 kilograms wet so it will have a similar performance to the GT3 cars.

Adam: What is the displacement?

Henry: Well, it is a 5.8-litre V8, a Roush engine and basically it is a NASCAR engine, a very similar to the kind of engine that would have been raced back in the day. Obviously it has the staggered intake trumpets, which is how they designed it back in the day. That’s basically the story.

Adam: This specification is basically making it a bullet. Did you upgrade the brakes?

Henry: All of the suspension, brakes will be upgraded, making it a perfectly usable track car.

Adam: Thank you!

YET ANOTHER UNFORGETTABLE YEAR AT THE GRAND HOTEL

Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este delivered yet another astounding performance as always. Even the weather – cloudy and rainy at first, as you could have noticed on some photographs – gave way for the sun, as the atmosphere of the event heated up. Collectors mingled with visitors and enthusiastic chatter made for an irreplaceable soundtrack for the day.

But similarly to all the other editions I’ve visited this one could not last forever, either. After the parade finished everyone needed to bid farewell to countless impressive vehicles telling even more captivating stories. Bear in mind, only a few of them were captured above. Some more - such as the Ferrari 275 GTS owned by Prince of Morroco - without accompanying words could be told through some of my remaining photographs. Concorso, a presto!