Fuori Concorso 2021 - A Turbo Day — Adam Pekala x Vintage Motoring

A DRIFFERENT TWIST ON A CAR EVENT

In parallel to the very famous Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este an up-and-rising event takes place at Como. Fuori Concorso founded by Larusmiani organised its second edition at the premises of Villa del Grumello and Villa Sucota. Its format lies somewhere in-between a typical concours of elegance and a more casual gathering of classic motoring enthusiasts.

The organisers describe the event as “a thrilling format creating memorable moments of automotive culture, connecting & enriching car enthusiasts around the world” and the final product follows the concept to the letter. There are plenty of like-minded people who are open for conversation when sipping a glass of Prosecco, unforgettable cars exhibited in a creative way across a huge space as well as phenomenal scenery of vintage villas. What not to like?

The format creates memorable moments of automotive culture, connects & enriches the car enthusiasts around the world.

This year’s edition of Fuori Concorso followed a simple topic – Turbo. But boy, did they elaborate on it! The cars were coming from three different categories and representing production and racing cars, as well as concepts or prototypes.

TWO COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FERRARI F40

Whilst it is an iconic car, the Ferrari F40 became more and more common amongst the classic car events. Here at Fuori it seemed like an obvious participant and a must-have, so with their three-litre, four overhead camshaft V8s additionally charged with a twin-turbo, the organisers brought two completely different models – a regular F40 and an F40 CSAI-GT by Michelotto.

The very first copy was actually the first car which I noticed, unloaded just in front of Villa del Grumello. What was quite shocking about it was its colour, as I believe all the F40s I have seen so far were red. Here, we have a bad-ass black one! Its racing seats interior was finished in brown alcantara with red seatbelts making for what can be a perfect configuration of an F40. In front of the villa, it looked stunning both during day- and night-time.

The second version altered by Michelotto to a race specification is much more brutal a car. Its looks confirm it and one can almost feel it has come straight from a racetrack, just for a quick exclusive pit-stop. Believe it or not, but the engine is tuned and produces around 700 horsepower. Yes, that is about 230 more than the original and in such a lightweight body, it must just be flying. Well, it should, it is almost alike the LM.

WOULD YOU EVER THINK FIAT BARCHETTA IS ATTRACTIVE?

From two F40 to a Fiat? And a Barchetta? Well, we are keeping it to the Italian backyard but please, do not be deceived by the looks of the Stola Dedica Prototype. Whilst it looks from many angles like the small, boaty roadster and still proudly shows its Fiat emblem, it is anything but its mass-produced counterpart.

Stola started a series of twenty prototypes produced by this Turin-based manufacturer between 1996 and 2006. It was designed by Aldo Brovarone and after debuted at the Turin motor show, it also said hello to the premises of Villa d’Este for 1996’s Concorso d’Eleganza.

The engine? A modified Lancia Delta Integrale straight-four. Of course, supercharged and delivering a sufficient 262 horsepower. That is exactly twice as much as the original Barchetta!

THE BRITISH ARISTOCRACY AND AN ENGLISH REBEL

Even though the event was settled in purely an Italian scenery, the guests were far from single, no matter how fantastic, origin. For me, a couple of cars standing out from the crowd came from the other side of the La Manche channel were the Lotus Essex Turbo Esprit and Bentley Continental T Mulliner Special Commision.

The former car with the famous yellow badge arrived at the villa a few days before the event and immediately stole the show on the social media. Its bodywork was painted in very flambuoyant marine blue striped with red-and-silver along the sides. If you want to imagine how much it draws the attention, take very similar Bond’s cars from For Your Eyes Only in white and red, then multiply by two. That much! This wedgy supercar is powered by a four-cylinder engine fuelled by two Dellorto carburettors, additionally aspirated through a Garett T3 supercharger. Excited? Or maybe a bit too much?

If you answered positive to the second question you may want to consider a bit more toned-down coupe from the Flying-B brand. This 18 years older cousin was manufactured for a very demanding New York client, very particular about its specification. Painted in Cobalt Blue and finished with “old tan and not the soft tan” leather interior, this Bentley can be the definition of a made-to-order car. It is truly unique. So, if you are afte a one-off...

ONE OF BEST PORSCHES AT THE SHOW... DRIVEN BY MARK WEBBER

Amongst many things, which Fuori Concorso did right, was the marketing aspect. Many days before we could learn about how the event preparation is going and hear rumours on the prologue rally originating from St. Moritz. Exact route was not disclosed but when it happened, it was well broadcasted across all the socials.

The highlight of the above was doubtlessly Mark Webber driving the beast from Zuffenhausen through winding alpine roads. Porsche 911 GT1 Strassenversion is basically (and namely) a GT1 car in a road’s attire. Manufactured purely for homologation purposes in about twenty pieces is a monster on wheels. Its 3.2 litre flat-six twin-turbocharged engine boosts it from 0 to 200 kmph in a jaw-dropping at that time (and still now) 10.5 seconds. Just about as long, as it took you to read the last sentence.

What does Mark Webber think about the GT1?

Furthermore, I managed to catch Mark Webber after his brief inspection of the Lancia Delta S4 Martini. He mentioned he was incredibly impressed by the car as well as complimented the Porsche team for preparing the car to the relatively demanding journey. For me it was two-in-one. Not only have I gotten some interesting feedback but also spoke to one of my favourite F1 drivers.

LANCIA GALORE OR SIX SUPERCARS

Each of the cars in both villas was worth attention but there was one brand that was simply unbeatable in its representation. Fuori Concorso did in 2021 what everyone promised with the famous hashtag – they made Lancia great again!

If I am not mistaken and disregarding the Stola S81 Stratos brought across from the Lopresto collection, there were six Lancias. Five of them had the very famous Martini livery painted on them, commemorating brand’s vivid racing history. Exhibited was Delta S4, Delta Integrale right next to Beta Montecarlo Group 5, with LC1 showing its Le Mans manners not so far away. However, centred in front of the staircase was a unique prototype presented in 1988 – the ECV2. Standing for Experimental Composite Vehicle it could be loosely translated to lightweight carbon fibre body covering ridiculously powerful engine. Four-cylinder twin-turbo generated 600 horsepower which at 930kg weight could mean only one thing. It is a rocket.

At 930 kilograms and 600 horsepower Lancia ECV2 must just be a rocket!

Less rare but more civilised Lancia welcomed all visitors at the gateway. Designed by Zagato’s Marco Pedracini, the Lancia Hyena was planned to be produced in as few as 500 examples. However, a couple of production aspects hindered that and only about 25 Hyenas were manufactured. What a gem!

MANY GUESTS AND THE DISCUSSION PANEL

Car wise, the day was simply extraordinary, but the day did not lack the presence of interesting people either. The show started on Saturday around 1pm with many guests arriving constantly until the late evening. Amongst hundreds of invitees were experts who spoke at the Fuori Concorso discussion panel. They included Mark Webber, his F1 colleague Jean Alesi (even though they never raced together in this top series), famous in the automotive world Ted Gushue, and many more.

The multiple landscaping levels and premises of two villas were very well organised. In the upper gardens of Villa del Grumello an oriental band was playing, amusing many of the visitors snacking and wining at charmingly situated tables. From the lakeview side visitors could admire brave speedboaters who raced in 72nd edition of the Centomiglia del Lario. Inside the building there was Acqua di Parma barber stand, Larusmiani boutique and a Taschen book exposition. Everyone could find something for themselves, but different than cars!

OH, CHE SPLENDIDA GIORNATA!

When the sun started to set behind the mountains around Como the cental lawn in front of Villa del Grumello was set up as a cocktail bar around which a cocktail party started. When it was too dark to photograph, I enjoyed interesting conversations with many like-minded visitors, sipping a glass of prosecco. As one of the Vasco Rossi’s songs played... oh, che splendida giornata!