The 2010 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este took place April 23-25 on the grounds of the Grand Hotel Villa d’Este and Villa Erba on Lake Como in Cernobbio, Italy.
The Trofeo BMW Group, awarded “Best of Show” by the judges at the Concorso went to a 1938 Talbot-Lago T150 C SS Teardrop Coupé bodied Figoni & Falaschi owned by Oscar Davis from the United States. The Talbot-Lago also won one of the two prizes awarded by public voting – Trofeo BMW Group Italia. The historic Coppa d’Oro Villa d’Este – Best of Show by Public Referendum at Villa d’Este was awarded to the 1955 Maserati A6GCS Spider bodied by Frua owned by John F. Bookout Jr from the United States. In the Concorso d’Eleganza Design Award for concept cars and prototypes, the public voted for the Zagato Alfa Romeo TZ3 Corsa Coupé.
Glorious sunshine greeted automotive enthusiasts from around the world who gathered for the 2010 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, the 12th staging of the event under the patronage of the BMW Group. “Once again the Concorso has borne impressive testimony that cars have lost none of their fascination,” commented Karl Baumer, President of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este and Director of BMW Group Classic.
Jean-Marc Droulers, President of Villa d’Este S.p.A., looked back on two extraordinary days, “The Concorso is ruled by a constellation that could hardly be bettered: heritage, elegance and a passion for cars create the perfect foundation for a weekend such as we have been privileged to experience once again.”
In addition to the classic car contests and the competition featuring concept models of the future, highlights of this year’s Concorso included the “100 Years of Alfa Romeo” special exhibition and the world premiere of the BMW 328 Kamm Coupé. Sunday’s event was a sell-out with more than 5,000 visitors attending.
2010 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este Best of Show Winners
Trofeo BMW Group - Best in Show by the Jury and Trofeo BMW Group Italia - By Public Referendum at Villa Erba, 1938 Talbot-Lago T150 C SS Teardrop Coupé, Figoni & Falaschi, 1938, Oscar Davis, USA
Coppa d’Oro Villa d’Este - Best of Show by Public Referendum at Villa d’Este, 1955 Maserati A6GCS Spider, Frua, John F. Bookout Jr., USA
Concorso d’Eleganza Design Award for Concept Cars & Prototypes - By Public Referendum at Villa Erba, 2010 Zagato Alfa Romeo TZ3 Corsa Coupé. Martin Kapp, D
2010 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este Class Winners and Mentions of Honor
Class A: Pre-War Competition Cars
Class Winner, 1937 BMW 328 Mille Miglia Streamline Roadster, BMW, Christoph Bode, D
Mention of Honor, 1926 Talbot-Darracq GP 1500 Siluro Corsa, Talbot-Darracq, Egon Zweimüller, A
Class B: Pre-War Open Sports Cars
Class Winner, 1927 Duesenberg X Straight 8 Boat-Tail Roadster, McFarlan, Peter Heydon, USA
Mention of Honor, 1938 BMW 328 Roadster, BMW, Mietta Pasquali Gandolfi, I
Class C: Pre-War Open Four Seaters
Class Winner, 1939 Lancia Astura 4th Series Cabriolet, Pinin Farina, Wenzel Gelpke, CH
Mention of Honor, 1931 Bentley 8 Litre 4-seater Tourer, Gurney Nutting, Peter Livanos, GR
Class D: Closed Two Door Cars from 1935 to 1950
Class Winner, 1938 Talbot-Lago T150 C SS Teardrop Coupé, Figoni & Falaschi, Oscar Davis, USA
Mention of Honor, 1948 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS Coupé, Touring, Oliver Collins, CDN
Class E: Post-War Open Sports Cars
Class Winner, 1955 Maserati A6GCS Spider, Frua, John F. Bookout Jr., USA
Mention of Honor, 1958 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider, Scaglietti, Peter Stähelin, CH
Class F: Post-War Closed Sports Cars
Class Winner, 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Coupé, Mercedes-Benz, Paul Stewart, UK
Mention of Honor, 1968 Lamborghini Miura Roadster, Bertone, Albert Spiess, CH
Class G: Post-War Competition Cars
Class Winner, 1956 Alfa Romeo 1900 SS Berlinetta, Zagato, David Sydorick, USA
Mention of Honor, 1950 Aston Martin DB2 Coupé, Aston Martin, Helmut Rothenberger, D
Class H: Styling Studies 1952-1965
Class Winner, 1955 Lancia Aurelia B56 4-door Berlina, Pinin Farina, Corrado Lopresto, I
Mention of Honor, 1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia 1600 TZ2 Coupé, Pininfarina, Shiro Kosaka, J
2010 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este – Special Prizes by the Jury
Trofeo 'FIVA' - To the best preserved car by the Jury and Trofeo Auto & Design - To the most exciting design by the Jury, 1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia 1600 TZ2 Coupé, Pininfarina, Shiro Kosaka, J
Trofeo Rolls-Royce - To the most elegant Rolls-Royce by the Jury, 1935 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental Drophead Coupé, Binder, Steve Wolf, USA
Trofeo Foglizzo - Special Prize of the Jury, 1926 Talbot-Darracq GP 1500 Siluro Corsa, Talbot-Darracq, Egon Zweimüller, A
Trofeo BMW Group Classic - To the most sensitive restoration by the Jury, 1968 Lamborghini Miura Roadster, Bertone, Albert Spiess, CH
Trofeo Vranken Pommery - To the best interior design by the Jury, 1952 Lancia Aurelia B52 PF200, Pinin Farina, Bill Pope, USA
Trofeo Automobile Club di Como - To the car driven from farthest away, 1928 Mercedes-Benz 710 SS Sport Tourer, Mercedes-Benz, Frans Van Haren, NL
2010 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este Photo Gallery
[Source: BMW Group]
Must-see event for any automotive enthusiast. Coin toss on whether Lake Como or Pebble Beach is a better setting, although Pebble’s space allows for more cars…and many more people. Good and bad.
Never seen or heard one before, but I have a sneaky suspicion that the Talbot-Darracq GP 1500 Siluro Corsa sounds awfully mean.