Access to the Grand Hotel Villa
d’Este was made very restrictive on the Saturday, thus providing
the right ambience for the judges to view the 49 entrants in a relaxed
atmosphere. I estimate about 1,000 people (including staff) in attendance
on this day, but that may even be an inflated figure!
Appreciating where I was and the company I
was to keep during this elite day I chose to wear the suit I had brought
with me from Melbourne and a very good choice with most there very
well dressed. There was even a dog, which one person commented to
me must take the owner 1 ½ hours to groom before going out
into public!
But to the event, the weather, like the Mille
Miglia the week before was not all that kind & the day continued
with periods of light rain. It didn’t dampen the spirits of
those present as both entrants, their partners & preparers had
shaded and indoor dining available in the Grand Hotel building, and
for the media we were treated to the well set up BMW Group Media Lounge.
There were no trade stalls at the Villa d’Este,
just a music band set up near, then under a tree. Very discreet and
elegant. The organisers had a small ferry on stand-by to shuttle guests
to and from the Villa Erba (where the Saturday part of the “Days
of Elegance” event was taking place), but some chose to use
their own marine transport turning up at the hotels marina in quantities
of Riva boats.
Above is the stunning example of the Ferrari
212 Barchetta, on display next two a couple of Maserati, then a brace
of Ferrari at the back of this section. The 49 cars were assembled
in their class order, dotted around about half an acre of the Villa’s
grounds. A small, but effective set up. The Concept Cars were lined
up about 200 metres away toward the other end of the Grand Hotel building.
Above photo: The Mercedes-Benz 540K, with Rolls-Royce
Wraith beside.
The organisers hand-picked the collection of
Lamborghinis to celebrate the marque’s 50th anniversary. I’ve
mentioned the 350 GTV earlier, but parked next to this was the first
of the 350 GT (complete with original badge, notice it’s not
the yellow with black bull, rather one they took off a Lamborghini
tractor as the bull badge was not ready in time), then the 350 GTS.
Personally, I had never seen, nor known Lamborghini to have a convertible
model in the ‘60s, and it’s little wonder as the 350 GTS
on show is one of two made! A V12 powered convertible would prove
a nice way to travel. Two more Lambos to turn up, the first was the
4000 GT “Flying Star 2”. This is a unique Coupe model,
sized to fit your skis and snow equipment in the back. But, no display
of Lamborghini is to be complete without the showing of a Muira, in
this case it was a Muira SV.
So the line up of these five rare Lamborghini
cars was a treat, and no doubt a sight we won’t see anywhere
for quite some time.
Diagonally opposite the Lamborghini cars was
the display of Aston Martin, to honour this marques Centenary. 2-litre
Sports ‘Spa replica’, DB4 GT Zagato, DB4 GT, DB4 SS &
DBS. The DBS was the car that actor Roger Moore used as part of his
role as Lord Bert Sinclair in the hit UK TV-series “The Persuaders”.
Above photo: Part of the Aston Martin display,
but with the stunning Lake Como as a backdrop.
The Bandini on display was one of only 12 built,
and bar far the smallest car there, infact it may even be small enough
to fit in the back seat of the Isotta Fraschini 8A, positioned nearby!
Don’t judge a book by its cover though, the noise from the big
V8 engine under that small bonnet made up for the size, but can imagine
would be a handful to drive. Opposite this, a stunning Fiat 8V Zagato,
with an equally strikingly dressed US owner (in a very loud pin-stripped
suit). The Ferrari 250 GT ‘Tour de France’ was on display
for the first time in a couple of decades, following a recent restoration
in the US.
In fact, there were so many people present
on this day from an English speaking background that the Master of
Ceremonies when conducting the prize ceremony chose to do this in
English. Thank you!
It was good to see an Australian pick up an
award here with the Briggs winning the best dressed in the style and
era of the presented car award.
Ralh Lauren’s Bugatti T57SC Atlantic
won the coveted Peoples’ Choice award.
Historic
Racing Australia