There’s a new concours contender and its home is in the very heart of Motor Valley. The Concorso D’Eleganza Varignana 1705 is only in its second year but is already attracting some truly amazing automobiles.
Gathered in the gardens of the Palazzo di Varignana 1705 just outside of Bologna are 35 cars dating from before the Great War to the present day, all competing for attention in a setting that does its best to outshine them.
The Palazzo itself is the centrepiece of a massive estate that produces award-winning wines, olive oil, honey and saffron. On site is a luxury hotel and spa complex, modern villas and ancient farmhouses – all perched high in the hills with horizon-reaching views of the Emilia-Romagna plains.
It’s in this area where Italy’s motoring legends were born. Within a short drive you’ll find Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati and Pagani. As such it is perhaps no surprise that a local hero takes the top prize – a perfectly restored 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB owned by Italian collector Giuseppe Matildi.
“The Best of Show was a heavenly product, because it was one of the most beautiful Ferraris in one of its iconic colors, in yellow, with a 100 per cent restoration and presentation. So it was absolutely impossible not to consider this the best,” says Stefano Pasini – President of the Jury and author of over 30 automotive books.
Matildi’s car ticks the judges boxes, but adds Pasini, “The cars that did not win were not losers. They were exceptionally good cars that simply had a better competitor in front. The general level of the cars was absolutely astonishing.”
Take a look at the selection below and see if you agree.
The oldest car on show was built for an Indian Maharaja. This 1914 Benz Jagdwagen 8/20 PS from the Nicolis Museum features bodywork Schebera, which was best known for making armor. The car was restored in the 1960s and has only covered 6,000 km in well over a century.
Luca Patron’s 1925 Bentley 3-Litre could have won an award for the longest model name. Officially it is a short-chassis Van Den Plas Speed Red Label.
With Superleggera coachwork by Carozzeria Touring Fabrizio Livon’s 1950 Alfa Romeo 2500 SS Villa d’Este is one of just 36 made between 1949 and 1952.
On a smaller scale is the 1962 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Zagato of Marco Faggioli whose father and uncle bought the car in 1974 to race at the Nürburgring where they won their class.
The furthest-traveled entrant was Hidemoto Kimura and his 1950 FIAT 1100 Ghia. The car was designed by designed by Giovanni Michelotti as part of the Supergioiello series.
The 1947 Isotta Fraschini 8C Monterosa Touring of Corrado Lopresto is a genuine unicorn. Somewhere between three and six were built as a four-door sedan by Zagato, a two-door convertible by Boneschi and this Touring two-door. All featured seating for six and a 3.4-litre V8 mounted in the rear.
Stefano Martinoli’s 1964 Porsche 904 Carrera GTS was given a “Stuttgart Excellence” award as the best German car on show.
Pietro Silva’s De Tomaso Pantera Gr.4s is one of only 14 race cars built and famously won the Italian GT Championship and the Giro Automobilistico d’Italia in 1973 driven by Mario Casoni. A special award from the Mayor of Imola can now be added to the trophy cabinet.
Owned by serial Porsche collector Lorenzo Matteucci is one of the last Porsche 911 Carrera RSs built, chassis 1582 of 1590. It was sold new in Italy in 1973 where it has remained for its whole life, including a period of restoration by Bottini and Cairati. Notably it’s one of only 18 cars painted Gulf Blue.
