2021 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este

It might have been delayed by six months, but the wait was worth it. A stunning selection of cars was displayed at Villa d’Este this year. Picking a winner must have been hard, but the Trofeo BMW Group for Best of Show went to American Brian Ross and his 1956 Ferrari 250 GT Tour de France.

The Coppa d’Oro Villa d’Este, awarded to the most popular car by public vote, was presented to the 1930 Lancia Dilambda Series I Drophead Coupé by the Carlton Carriage Company owned by Italian Filippo Sole (pictured, below).

In autumnal sunshine, Lake Como rarely looked better. Although the event was only open to competitors and invited guests, the atmosphere was as good as ever. Due to the pandemic, it was the first Villa d'Este concours since May 2019.

A highlight outside the regular group of classic cars was one entry in the modern Concept Cars & Prototypes category. Commissioned by one of the world’s most enthusiastic marque enthusiasts, Lamborghini Polo Storico built a recreation of the very first Countach LP500, 50 years on from its debut.

Other stand-out cars – in a display on the meticulously swept gravel drive in front of the famous 5* hotel – included: the whistling and shrieking Howmet TX Turbine; a seldom-seen Ferrari 250 GT California SWB just out of a total restoration in Italy; the ‘Walter Wolf’ Countach LP400 S prototype; and the ex-Count Volpi Ferrari 400 Superamerica. And long-term event supporter Duccio Lopresto brought along his 1948 Isotta Fraschini 8C Monterosa Cabriolet by Boneschi, one of last Isottas ever built.

The list goes on, but thanks to the photographers working for BMW Classic we can give you a little flavour of the most glamorous concours in the world – definitely better late than never.

Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este will return to its regular May date next year. See concorsodeleganzavilladeste.com