The Oldest Concours, Into the Supercar Era ── Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este Held | Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este

Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este | Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este

Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este Held for the First Time in Two Years and Five Months

The "Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este," the world's oldest existing concours d'elegance, was held from October 1st to 3rd, 2021, on the shores of Lake Como in northern Italy. Akio Oya, a journalist based in Italy, reports from the scene.

Text by Akio Lorenzo OYA | Photographs by Mari OYA / Akio Lorenzo OYA

Even in the Rain

Following a two-year and five-month hiatus due to COVID-19 countermeasures, this year's Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este was held in a "Special Edition" format. The motorcycle division and public exhibition, usually held at the adjacent "Villa Erba," were canceled. The event was limited to car owners and guests at the historic venue, the "Grand Hotel Villa d'Este."

Nevertheless, eight classes were established, the same as the previous event, and a similar number of 47 cars were selected.

Unfortunately, October 3rd, the day of my visit, was overcast and intermittently rainy. The owners, who had brought their meticulously restored beloved cars, must have been frustrated with the weather. However, one entrant, gazing at his cherished vehicle, smiled at me and said, "A car enveloped in raindrops is also beautiful." Owners at this level of event clearly possess a certain composure. As if yielding to their grace, the sun occasionally peeked through in the afternoon.

The Oldest Concours, Into the Supercar Era ── Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este Held | Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este

Cars in the class "The Passion for Perfection: 90 Years of Pininfarina"

BMW Group Classic once again served as a sponsor. Pictured is the 1968 BMW 2800 GTS, a one-off by coachbuilder Frua.

To reveal the winner first: the "Best of Show" award, chosen by a jury of 12 judges, went to the "Ferrari 250 GT TDF" with a Pininfarina body, the winner of the class "From the Big Bands of the 40s to the Astonishing 80s: 50 Years of Endurance Racing." This car competed in the Mille Miglia on the very same day it was registered in 1956.

1956 Ferrari 250 GT TDF by Pininfarina

The "Coppa d'Oro," another traditional prize at the event decided by guest votes, was awarded to the 1930 Lancia Dilambda Serie 1.

The original British owner purchased the Lancia during a trip to Italy and commissioned a London coachbuilder to create its body.

After being destroyed in an air raid during World War II, it lay neglected for many years. Discovered in the 1970s, it was fitted with a body completely different from the original. The current owner, Filippo Sole, removed that body and meticulously recreated the car's original body and color based on historical photographs.

1930 Lancia Dilambda Serie 1

The Lost Countach is Reborn

Let's also touch upon the concept car category, which is separate from historic vehicles.

While the number of entries in this category has been declining in recent years, this year saw a stunning appearance that made one forget the past, surprising the guests.

It was a highly accurate replica of the 1971 Lamborghini Countach LP500 Prototype.

The original debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in 1971. Its avant-garde design by Marcello Gandini, then chief designer at Bertone, sent shockwaves around the world.

However, this prototype was destroyed in a crash test in 1974. Why was this historic masterpiece scrapped? Lamborghini was facing its biggest financial crisis since its founding, impacted by the oil crisis. To expedite production, they utilized every usable unit. At the same time, I believe that the lingering success of the Miura was so immense that perhaps no one imagined the Countach would become a bestseller for over a decade.

A 2021 replica of the 1971 Lamborghini Countach LP500 Prototype, with President and CEO Stephan Winkelmann

This replica was built by Lamborghini's historic department, "Polo Storico," at the request of a prominent collector (whose name is undisclosed).

The chassis construction began from scratch, entirely different from the tubular frame used for the production Countach. Furthermore, meticulous scanning of the company's first production car was performed. The total construction time reportedly reached 25,000 hours.

For reference, even the tires were specially recreated by Pirelli to match the original.

On the day of the event, the phantom Countach appeared in the parade, its deep exhaust note resonating, its scissor doors raised high, to thunderous applause from the gallery.

The Historic Concours Enters a New Stage

This year also featured classes such as "The Birth of the Supercar: Latin Style Landmarks" and "The Next Generation: 1990s Hypercars," showcasing numerous vehicles from the 1980s and 90s.

The event's selection committee has intentionally strived to update the age of the vehicles featured. However, at Villa d'Este, known for its particularly traditional atmosphere among the world's top six concours, the models selected this year made an even more striking impression.

Let's look at a few examples.

First is the "Lamborghini LP400S Prototype Walter Wolf Special," the winner of the "Birth of the Supercar" class.

This was the third Countach produced under the direction of Walter Wolf, a Canadian oil magnate who also owned an F1 team. Displayed at Geneva in 1978, this car, chassis number 1121002, along with the prototype's pure design and the Wolf specification aimed at the highest possible performance at the time, offered attendees a glimpse into the profound depth of the Countach world.

1978 Lamborghini LP400S Prototype Walter Wolf Special

1978 Lamborghini LP400S Prototype Walter Wolf Special, bearing the signatures of Walter Wolf and engineer Gianpaolo Dallara.

A car from the "The Next Generation" class, the 1994 Bugatti EB110 SS, was sent to the United States for promotional purposes during its initial release. After returning to Italy, it remained with Romano Artioli, the driving force behind the brand's revival.

1994 Bugatti EB110 SS

Another car in the same class, the 1993 Isdera Commendatore 112i, will be a nostalgic sight for cult supercar enthusiasts. This car was the crystallization of a dream by Eberhard Schulz, a former Mercedes-Benz engineer. Its body was designed with extreme aerodynamic efficiency. Powered by a mid-mounted 6.9-liter V12 engine from Mercedes, it could reach a top speed of 340 km/h. Only one was ever built and delivered to a Swiss owner in 1996. Restoration began under the current owner three years ago, culminating in its debut at Villa d'Este.

1993 Isdera Commendatore 112i

According to sources involved, selecting models closer to the present day presents a different kind of challenge compared to choosing older cars.

While many ultra-luxury cars from before and immediately after World War II were 'fuori serie' (custom-built) or produced in extremely limited numbers, recent models, with exceptions like the Isdera, are often produced in the thousands.

Therefore, it is necessary to select cars that hold greater historical significance to grant them participation.

Collectors aspiring to participate must possess keener judgment, and the judges require new knowledge and discernment. This historic concours is entering an exciting new era.