Cernobbio, 23rd - 25th of May
Since BMW took over the event more than 10 years ago the
Concorso d´Eleganza also features a class for modern concept
cars to follow the tradition of the original event to show the latest
design.
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This was also the reason for the move to the later May date as
the former weekend in April collided with the Shanghai Motor
Show, a very important date for the international automobile
industry in the booming market in far east. Now in May several
manufacturers bring their new models, is it a concept or one-off.
This year featured an Infinity Crossover Concept, a Giugiaro
Coupe, two Zagato models including the Lamborghini 5-95 and
last year’s Aston Martin DBS Centennial. Out of competition was
the new Mini Superleggera Vision and a BMW Concept Future
Luxury.
The top price for this class is not awarded by the Jury but by the
public vote of the visitors at the public day in Villa Erba was the
cars are presented in front of the main building. When the winning
Maserati Alfieri was brought to the centre stage the applause
showed that the Italians love their cars.
Traditionally the Best of Show is awarded on Sunday evening at
the Villa D´Este after the Gala Dinner just before the fireworks end
the weekend. All the class winners were lined up in front of the
Villa D´Este including the Rolls-Royce Phantom II, the Hispano
Suiza H6B, the Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS Aprile, three Ferrari and
two Maserati plus the Abarth 2000 Scorpione.
It was very difficult to name a winner upfront as this year did not
include a real show car that would have been a clear favourite like
last year’s Bugatti Atlantic. The small Alfa Romeo was the one
the closest to this predicate but being a rebody this might have
been discouraged the Jury to give the top honour to this car. The
Hispano-Suiza was a nice car but the Sedanca Landaulette body
was not extravagant enough making this a winner. Maybe the
Boat tail Phantom II was a good design and is also part of a
famous collection but the Concorso d´Eleganza is not restricted
to pre-war cars for a BoS like Pebble Beach. The problem of the
California Spyder was the fact that these cars are regulars to the
concours so they are always good for a class award but less for a
BoS. The most stylish of the Ferrari was without doubt the 250
Europa in its elegant two-tone livery and the white wall tyres but
this was not honoured by the Jury as well.
Leaving the Abarth and three race cars, after the Alfa Romeo
Canguro winning several years ago one knows that the Jury is
into very special design so not few saw the Abarth as a favourite
but at the end it was the Maserati 450S winning the top laurels.
Not few of the entrants were quite surprised when the spot
stopped at the Maserati after a few laps over the lined-up cars and
according to various sources the applause was very restrained.
No doubt this is a great car to drive and listen to but it is not
necessarily a show car just as the Ferrari 250 GT LWB that was
competing for the BoS as well. Furthermore this particular car did
not even feature an impressive race history, most likely the BoS
was reminiscence to the centenary of the trident but most
entrants had the opinion that the V4 would have been the better
choice in this case. So this year’s BoS was discussed very
controversial and we leave it to your own opinion whether you
want to approve to this choice or not, at least it shows that the
Concorso d’Eleganza is always good for a surprise.
Report & Images ... Peter&Wolfgang Singhof
www.ClassicCarPhotography.de
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