Between September 27 – 29 a selection of some of the finest classic cars that can be found anywhere in the world are set to arrive in Italy at the luxury Palazzo di Varignana resort for the second-ever Concorso d’Eleganza Varignana 1705.
Positioned as the world’s most exclusive automotive concourse, the event will showcase 30 impressive pre-1973 vehicles, each representing a key moment throughout the history of the automobile. To make the cut, each vehicle had to be specifically chosen by an esteemed panel of judges, who selected cars that showed ‘pinnacle design values, purity of provenance and exquisitely executed engineering.’
Italy is a nation that holds the automobile in the highest regard, maintaining a pedigree of creating some of the most desired vehicles in history. The venue, Palazzo di Varignana, embodies a similar ethos to the classic car community, it’s a restoration in its own right. Once a countryside castle that dates back to 1705 and now home to 150 rooms and suites, several villas and seven outdoor pools, this resort is a true patch of Bolognian paradise.
The 30 cars selected will be presented in six separate classes: Prima Del Temporale (Pre-War Period); Eccellenze Di Stoccarda (Excellence from Stuttgart); Il Meglio Di Motor Valley (The Best of Motor Valley); and British Postcards. The sixth and final class, FuoriConcorso, has been designated in one specific car’s honor: the Auto Avio Costruzioni 815.
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Essentially a Ferrari, the Auto Avio Costruzioni 815 can be regarded as the first ever car from the iconic Italian brand in all but name. After he left Alfa Romeo in 1939, Enzo Ferrari was contractually bound not to associate his name with a car or company for at least four years. The Turin manufacturer Auto Avio Costruzioni, essentially filled the gap, producing milling machines and aircraft parts, although it did produce two cars. A long-tail version was destroyed, but the short-tail one, which once belonged to legendary driver Alberto Ascari, remains and will be showcased at Concorso d’Eleganza Varignana 1705.
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There are also set to be a few returns to this year’s concourse. Corrado Lopresto and family, who won Best in Show last year, have once again offered the event their 1947 Isotta Fraschini 8C Monterosa Coupe Touring. Restored back in 2017, this vehicle is one of only five prototypes to be constructed by Isotta Fraschini in an attempt to revive the brand.
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While some of these manufacturers may swing a touch toward the niche end of the spectrum, only known by classic car aficionados, there are also a few bigger names on the roster. Highlights include a 1914 Benz 8/20PS Jadewagen, and an icon that was originally ordered by an Indian Maharaja. And as it’s all happening in Italy, what about a 1966 and 1970 Lamborghini Miura? This vehicle represents a defining moment for both the raging bull and sports cars in general, often being viewed as the beginning of the supercar age.
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“Last year we were left almost short of words at the magnificent response to the first Concorso d’Eleganza Varignana 1705, the kindness of the collectors who supported us, the quality of the automobiles on display, the knowledge of the judges and the sheer enthusiasm of all who attended,” said founder of Palazzo di Varignana, Carlo Gherardi. “This year, the sheer number and unsurpassed quality of the cars will enable us to raise the bar even higher. Once again, we look forward to welcoming our guests through guests through the gates of the Palazzo di Varignana, as we come together to celebrate the very highest level of automotive design and engineering and the great passion, we all share for the finest automobiles on the planet.”
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