Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2005

About the Event

It's nearly that time of year again: the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este enters its 76th year with the forthcoming event that takes place from 22nd to 24th April 2005. This year, the world's most time-honoured concours has set itself an ambitious goal: it aims to reach, if not surpass, the level attained by the glittering event of 2004.

Urs Paul Ramseier, responsible for selecting cars for the Concorso: 'In 2005, we will once again welcome to Cernobbio on Lake Como an outstanding selection of classics spanning seven decades. On display will be particularly attractive special bodies by Pininfarina, Vignale, Worblaufen, Graber, Touring, Bertone and many other automotive stylists. It will once again place the jury and the public before the challenging task of choosing the winner of the Trofeo BMWGroup, the Coppa d'Oro Villa d'Este, the design awards for concept cars and other trophies.

'Dr. Jean-Marc Droulers, President of Villa d'Este S.p.A. and host of the event, adds: 'We are thrilled at the response to this event, which was held for the first time in 1929 in the grounds of the Grand Hotel Villa d'Este. In the meantime, our participants and guests from all over Europe and the United States confirm that the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este has also grown into an outstanding event on an international scale.

'What is so special about the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este is that, against the wonderful backdrop of Lake Como, not only impressive classics but also forward-looking prototypes make up the broad spectrum of four-wheeled design on display. The organizers anticipate ten concept cars to take part, all of which,according to the regulations, must be in a roadworthy condition. Many of them will only have made their debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2005.

strong>Keynote themes: BMW 507 and 75 years of Pininfarina

Two themes will accompany this year's Concorso by way of special exhibitions shown during the event. Firstly, the Italian styling company Pininfarina celebrates its 75th anniversary. For Pininfarina, the Concorso is one of the focal points for celebrating this milestone and an occasion to stage a special exhibition showcasing historic gems from the Turin design company.

The company, which was founded in 1930 as 'S.A. Carrozzeria Pinin Farina', has made motoring history with its car models. In recent decades, Pininfarina has managed to rake innumerous coveted prizes with its innovative design language. Among them was the 2003 Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este Design Award for the Pininfarina Rossa. The Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2005 also turns its attention to a legend of motoring history which hailed from a Bavarian production plant and caused a sensation around the world: the BMW 507.

This sports roadster with its powerful V8 engine was unveiled in the year 1955. The car became famous for its high-quality technology on the one hand, and on the other for its breathtakingly beautiful body styling. 

With this car, designer Albrecht Graf Goertz created a masterpiece that has been indissolubly linked with his name for five decades. Still active today, the celebrated stylist is also expected to be at Villa d'Este to celebrate the anniversary of 'his' car.

In 2005, the Concorso will again be held under the patronage of the BMW Group. In the words of Holger Lapp, Director of BMW Group Mobile Tradition: 'Today,the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este is the premier classic event of its kind in Europe. Our involvement in this marvellous gathering is rewarded anew each year. With the BMW 507 we have an outstanding 'birthday car' in 2005 which perfectly matches the unique ambience of Villa d'Este.' In addition to the original BMW 507, BMW Group Mobile Tradition is planning to exhibit special variants of the Munich classic which have not been on display in Europe for some time.

After the exhibitions and the parades in Villa d'Este and Villa Erba gardens, on a beautiful weekend on Como lake and after Public and Jury voting, the following are the official results of the first and second day of the 'Concorsod'Eleganza Villa d'Este'.

strong>Trofeo BMW Group

Best in Show by the Jury

Alfa Romeo Canguro Coupé Bertone, 1964; entrant Shiro Kosaka

strong>Public Referendum Awards

Coppa d'Oro di Villa d'Este

Best of Show by Public Referendum at Villa d'Este

Ferrari 212 Export Spider Vignale, 1951; entrant Jeff Fisher.

Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este Design Award

By Public Referendum at Villa d'Este

Peugeot 907 Coupé, 2004; entrant Robert Peugeot.

Trofeo BMW Italia

By Public Referendum at Villa Erba

Aston Martin DB4 GT Coupé Zagato, 1961; entrant David Sydorick.

Trofeo BMW Group Design Award

By Public Referendum at Villa Erba

Peugeot 907 Coupé, 2004; entrant Robert Peugeot.

Trofeo Corrado Millanta

The Press Award (by press voting)

Alfa Romeo Canguro Coupé Bertone, 1964; entrant Shiro Kosaka.

strong>Special Awards by the Jury

Carlo Felice Bianchi Anderloni Memorial Trophy

To the most elegant car with Touring body by the Jury

Pegaso Z 102 BT Coupé Touring, 1955; entrant Heiko Seekamp.

Trofeo Pininfarina

To the most elegant car with Pininfarina body by the Jury

Ferrari 410 Superamerica Coupé Pinin Farina, 1956; entrant Jack E. Thomas.

Trofeo Rolls-Royce

To the most elegant coachwork on a Rolls-Royce by the Jury

Rolls Royce Phantom I Piccadilly Roadster, 1927; entrant Robert Braunschweig.

Trofeo del Presidente della 'FIVA'

To the best preserved car by the Jury

BMW 507 Roadster, 1957; entrant Francesco Gandolfi.

Trofeo Ruoteclassiche

To the most sensitive restoration by the Jury

Austin Swallow Sports Saloon Mk II Coupé, 1931; entrant Viktor Wagner.

Trofeo Automobile Club di Como

To the car coming driven from the farthest away by the Jury

Bentley R Type Continental Drop Head Coupé Park Ward, 1955; entrant Fred Kriz.

strong>Class Winners by the Jury

1920-1929: open & closed cars 'Les années folles'

1st Diploma and Silver Plaque: Ballot Torpedo Sport Lagache-Glaszmann, 1924;entrant Andre Plasch.

2nd Diploma: Bugatti 35A Grand Sport, 1926; entrant Roland Jordi.

3rd Diploma: Isotta Fraschini 8A Coupé de Ville Cesare Sala, 1926; entrant Renato Genovese.

1930-1939: open cars 'Flamboyances et extravagances'

1st Diploma and Silver Plaque: Bugatti Type 57 C Cabriolet Gangloff, 1939;entrant Frans Van Haren.

2nd Diploma: Duesenberg J Convertible Sedan Franay, 1931; entrant James M.Glickenhaus.

3rd Diploma: Cord 812 Sportsman Supercharged, 1937; entrant Giulio Caimi.

1930-1939: closed cars 'Flamboyances et extravagances'

1st Diploma and Silver Plaque: Bentley Speed Six Coupé Gurney-Nutting, 1931;entrant Peter Hageman.

2nd Diploma: Bugatti 57 Atalante Coupé, 1936; entrant Franz-Josef Kleine.

3rd Diploma: Austin Swallow Sports Saloon Mk II Coupé, 1931; entrant Viktor Wagner.

1940-1959: open cars 'Le temps du changement'

1st Diploma and Silver Plaque: Ferrari 212 Export Spider Vignale, 1951; entrant Jeff Fischer.

2nd Diploma: Ferrari 250 GT California Spider Scaglietti, 1959, entrant Peter S. Kalikow.

3rd Diploma: Lancia Aurelia B24 Spider America Pinin Farina, 1955; entrant Almar Gouweloos.

1940-1959: closed cars 'Le temps du changement'

1st Diploma and Silver Plaque: Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Speciale Pinin Farina,1955; entrant Cornelius Tamboer.

2nd Diploma: Ferrari 375 MM Sport Berlinetta Pinin Farina, 1955; entrant Manuel Del Arroz.

3rd Diploma: Fiat 8V Coupé Zagato, 1954; entrant Aldo Di Bello.

1960-1970: open & closed cars 'Le Style en liberté'

1st Diploma and Silver Plaque: Alfa Romeo Canguro Coupé Bertone, 1964; entrant Shiro Kosaka.

2nd Diploma: Aston Martin DB4 GT Coupé Zagato, 1961; entrant David Sydorick.

3rd Diploma: Lancia Flaminia 2500 Sport 3C Coupé Zagato, 1963; entrant Beat Walti.

Most liked pictures of the event