The Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2013 will be staged on the weekend of 24-26 May over the grounds of the Grand Hotel Villa d’Este and neighboring Villa Erba on Lake Como in Cernobbio, Italy.
The 2013 edition of the Villa d’Este Concours d’Elegance will again see an intimate selection of classic automobiles displayed against the stunning backdrop of Lake Como. First held at the same location in 1929, this year’s event will see an extensive program throughout the weekend, maintaining an ambience for those involved but at the same time offering the wider public a chance to experience the ‘Classic Weekend’ on Lake Como in the company of classic car and motorcycle enthusiasts.
Now under the patronage of the BMW Group, Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este has been held each May since 1999 on the grounds of the Grand Hotel Villa d’Este on the Saturday, while the adjacent parkland of Villa Erba will open its gates to all car and motorcycle aficionados on the Friday evening for an open-air cinema, and on the Saturday and Sunday for the Public Days.
RM Auctions will once again be a guest at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in 2013. Some 45 top-class cars will go under the hammer on Saturday evening at Villa Erba. This auction will begin at 8.00 p.m. and again feature special models, such as a Bugatti Type 46 Superprofile Coupe and a Ferrari 340/375 MM.
The heart of the Concorso d’Eleganza remains at the Grand Hotel Villa d’Este where beautiful and rare examples of the automotive art seek the favour of the invited guests and the jury. In 2013 some 52 select cars will be entered in competition, including the following:
1961 Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato – Aston Martin created another monument to itself with the 1960 DB4GT Zagato. Just 19 examples of this sports car were fitted with their hand-built Zagato bodies in Newport Pagnell. A rigorous focus on lightweight construction methods, the use of plexiglass and a stripped-out interior penned the car’s weight at 1,225 kg. Four of these exclusive lightweight models were purpose-built in 1961 for use on the race track. Following an eventful career in competition, including outings with Jim Clark and other elite drivers behind the wheel, the DB4GT Zagato with registration 2 VEV was sent for restoration in 1993. After two years of attention, during which its restorers demonstrated an impressive eye for detail, Aston Martin brought the car back to its original condition in 1963. It was acquired by its current owner in 1971.
1963 Lamborghini 350 GTV – Ferruccio Lamborghini had a dream, which he pursued with fierce determination: to build – alongside his successful tractors – genuine sports cars that would give his Italian rivals from Maranello something to think about. The first step to fulfilling this dream came in the form of the 350 GTV prototype, which left a lasting impression on the automotive world at the 1963 Turin Motor Show. This Franco Scaglione-designed precursor to the first Lamborghini series-produced sports car (the 350 GT) was the main attraction in Turin – not least, of course, on account of the V12 engine conjured by Giotto Bizzarrini, which occupied its own pride of place alongside the car at the show. Today, the Lamborghini 350 GTV features green metallic paintwork and is in fully ready-to-drive condition.
1938 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic – Known as the ‘Atlantic’, the Bugatti Type 57SC is not only one of the world’s rarest and most valuable cars, but also one of the most visually beguiling. Only four examples of this automobile were built between 1937 and 1938 at the legendary factory in the Alsace. The “masterpiece” of Jean Bugatti, son of company founder Ettore Bugatti, is blessed with both breathtaking design and extraordinary engineering. The Atlantic set to go on show at the 2013 Villa d’Este Concours d’Elegance dates from 1938 and is number four in the production run. It is in original condition and can already look back on a successful career in automotive beauty pageants around the world.
For more information, visit www.concorsodeleganzavilladeste.com.
[Source: Concorso Villa d’Este; photo: Tim Scott]
