Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2007

About the Event

Lake Como once again looks back on two glorious days underthe banner of extraordinary automotive design. At the Concorso d'Eleganza Villad'Este held from 20 to 22 April, 53 classic cars spanning the period from 1919to 1971 lined up in eight competition classes before the critical gaze of thejury as well as the public. Lorenzo Ramaciotti, President of the Jury, laudedthis unique gathering of automotive works of art against the backdrop of theworld-famous Grand Hotel Villa d'Este. It was the ninth staging of the Concorsounder the patronage of the BMW Group.

The future of automotive design could be glimpsed in the competition forcontemporary concept cars, with a line-up of 13 cutting-edge designs providinga taster of tomorrow's cars. Following on from last year there was a worldpremiere among the contestants again: Carrozzeria Zagato took the wraps off theMaserati GS Zagato before the public for the first time. The BMW Group,meanwhile, presented (hors concours) the public debut of the Concept CoupéMille Miglia 2006. Following its appearance on Lake Como, this homage to thewinning car of 1940 - the BMW 328 Mille Miglia Touring Coupé - will not be seenagain until it goes on display in the BMW Museum next year.

The extent of public interest was reflected in the crowds that thronged thegrounds of Villa Erba on Sunday. On this extensive site next to Lake Como, autoenthusiasts were able to survey the line-up of classic four-wheelers andconcept cars as well as viewing the special exhibitions '90 Years of the BMWBrand' and 'Automobile design by Giovanni Michelotti'.

The Trofeo BMW Group went to the Mercedes-Benz SSK from the year 1930. This SSKwas produced in England by coachbuilder Willi White based on designs by CountFelice Trossi. It is one of very few Mercedes-Benz SSK models to featurespecial bodywork. The man who commissioned the design and the colour of the carearned it the nickname of 'Black Prince'. This model is part of the RalphLauren Collection.

The Coppa d'Oro Villa d'Este public award, the main prize decided by visitors,went to the Bugatti 57C Cabriolet Voll & Ruhrbeck of 1939. The car's chassiswas one of the last to be delivered to German Bugatti importer Noll ofDüsseldorf before the outbreak of the Second World War. Voll & Ruhrbeck werecommissioned with constructing a special body for the chassis. The Bugatti wassubsequently owned by Norwegian Olympic ice-skating champion Sonja Heine.Following a complete restoration, the Bugatti was making its first Europeanappearance in its original version. James A. Patterson is the current owner.

The Trofeo BMW Italia (Public Referendum at Villa Erba) was awarded to the AlfaRomeo 6C 1750 GS Flying Star from the year 1931. Carrozzeria Touring of Milanbuilt a special body for the Alfa Romeo which has gone down in motoring historyas the 'Flying Star'. It was with this model that Mrs Josette Pozzo won theCoppa d'Oro di Villa d'Este in the 1931 Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este. 76years on, the Alfa Romeo Flying Star has not only returned to the historic siteof its major triumph but has also claimed a further prize as the winner of theTrofeo BMW Italia. The car hails from the collection of Arturo Keller.

The Trofeo FIVA for the best-kept car went to the Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 SS SpiderZagato of 1929 owned by Henri Chambon. With its lightweight body, this modelseemed tailor-made for racing and went on to win the 1929 Mille Miglia. Theprize for the furthest journey, presented by the Automobile Club Como, went tothe BMW 335 Cabriolet Autenrieth. Per Viberg set out in his four-door cabrioletfrom the north of Norway in a blizzard and drove it all the way down to sunnyComo. The Trofeo Rolls-Royce for the most elegant coachwork on a Rolls-Roycewas awarded to the Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental 2 door Hooper of StefanSchörghuber dating back to 1932. Just three examples of this two-seater werebuilt on the chassis of the Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental.

Very much in keeping with the tradition of the competition, the last six yearshave featured a design prize for the best contemporary concept cars. TheConcorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este Design Award went to the Ferrari P4/5Pininfarina. Precisely 400 units of the sensational Ferrari Enzo supercar werebuilt in Maranello. But for US film producer and stockmarket guru James M.Glickenhaus, this was not exclusive enough. The Ferrari collector commissionedCarrozzeria Pininfarina of Turin with the construction of a special body basedon a standard Enzo. The shape of the P4/5 body recalls the legendaryDaytona-winning Ferrari 330 P4 of 1967.

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