Cernobbio, 22nd - 24th of May, 2015
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Class C - Phantom Story. The Rolls-Royce Phantom through
the ages
Being a marque of the BMW Group today the Rolls-Royce name
is always present at the Concorso d´Eleganza, this year with an
own class dedicated to the long and successful story of the
Phantom model. Just as today the Phantom in 6 series was
always the top model of the range and many models are
associated to the wealthy and royals all over the world. The oldest
car in the class was the Phantom I produced in
Springfield/Massachusetts when Rolls Royce set up a plant in the
US to avoid the high import taxes of the day. This Roadster by
Murphy in striking yellow was a gift to a New York Theatre
actress by her husband who even had a wall in his house
removed to present this car under the Christmas tree in 1929.
Last seen at Pebble Beach in 2011 where it won its class the
Roadster was awarded runner up in the class behind the Phantom
III DHC by Vanvooren. Completely different in appearance with
more restrained elegance this was winner of the class.
The name Rolls-Royce is certainly very close to the British Royal
Family as most of their state and private limousines are from RR.
The Phantom IV was only built in 17 units and no less than five of
them were delivered to the Royal Family, the example on display
was the personal transport of Princess Margaret showing the
Royal emblem on the roof. The Phantom was produced as in two
further series to 1978 and the display featured one of each model
series.
Class D – Made to Measure, the final flowering of the coach
built coupe
After the WW the mass production with series coachwork took
over and the coachbuilders and designers of this era had to
change from single production of special bodies to the design of
smaller and larger series, especially the Italian coachbuilders of
Touring, Zagato and Pininfarina come to mind. Not only the Italian
marques took over the design ideas of them but also American,
German and British companies had some cars designed by them.
One of the most spectacular cars of the concours could be found
in this class with the Pegaso Cupula designed by Enasa. Few
cars can claim the title “show car” as this could and not few were
convinced that this might be a worthy contender for the Best of
Show award. Originally displayed at the World Motor Show in
New York this striking yellow Coupe featured a glass back,
chromed side pipes and above all red-wall-tyres. The car was just
restored into this configuration as seen in New York and brought
to Como by the Louwman Collection of the Netherlands. With
contrasting green interior this was the show stopper and not
surprisingly the car was awarded with the kids’ choice award
being the favourite of the younger public. But unfortunately the car
was not eligible for the top award as the class judges have
chosen one of the Ferrari for the class award leaving the Pegaso
the mention of honour. But with three of the ultra-rare Pegaso at
concours the Spanish marque will be still very well remembered
for this year’s concours.
No less than two Ferrari by Vignale were displayed alongside the
Pegaso and the 250 GT Europa once owned by the Belgium
Princess Lilliana de Rethy took the class award. Being a regular
to this year’s concours scene the small elegant coupe was
already shown at the Cavallino Classics were it won BoS and a
few weeks later at Amelia Island before making his trip to Europe.
It was joined by an earlier 212 Vignale Berlinetta (0267EU) that
was brought over by top restorer Paul Russell for its owner who
also owns the matching right hand example of this type in the
colours of the Portuguese taxis. Acquired in unrestored barn find
condition in 2011 at the Amelia Island Auction of RM this
example was superbly restored since shown at Pebble and now
at Como where it won the price for the most sensitive restoration.
One of the most prestigious coachbuilder of this era is Zagato and
aside Pininfarina one of the few who survived to the present day
as seen in the concept car classes. Zagato was not only popular
in Italy but also in the UK where Zagato is linked in particular to
Aston Martin. But Zagato also built other models and Como
featured a one-off on base of the Jaguar XK140. Although not
having the typical double bubble roof the design is unmistaken
Zagato and apart from the Jaguar front this is very close to the
design on the Ferrari 250 TdF models. Featuring a brown velvet
and burl interior and the British racing green paint this is a great
combination of Italian design and British presentation, the car was
seen last year at the Hampton Court Concours in London.
Italian Collector Corrado Lopresto brought over his nice unrestored
Osca 1600 GT by Touring and the class was rounded off by a
Chrysler SS and an Alfa Romeo 1900 C SS both by Ghia.
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Report & images ... Peter & Wolfgang Singhof
www.ClassicCarPhotography.de
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