Marvel at the grand display of automotive artistry at the Villa d'Este: a gathering of four-wheeled wonders and their devoted owners.
Since its inception 100 years ago, the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este has graced the shores of Italy's Lake Como with its grand display of automotive design. The event first debuted as a platform showcasing the latest and most sophisticated coachbuilt automobiles, only to cease after 20 years in 1949. It was later revived in 1995, making it a coveted destination for the elite end of the classic car market.
The involvement of the BMW Group has been instrumental in the event's resurgence and continued success. The German automaker provides essential backing and media support, leveraging the Concorso as a launchpad for innovative design concepts. Over the years, BMW has released several unique concept cars at the event.
Our team has covered the Concorso for many years, reporting on editions as recent as 2009, 2011, 2014, 2015, and 2018. Each edition brings together a captivating mix of stunning classic cars, lakeside ambiance, and glamorous social events.
As a social event, the Concorso remains alluring, regardless of who is exhibiting or in charge. Como in May is undeniably one of Europe's loveliest spots, attracting spectators and enthusiasts alike.
Distinguished attendees stroll through the Villa d'Este's grounds, surrounded by classic cars serving as golden tickets into a bygone world of tradition, wealth, and hierarchy. The atmosphere is reminiscent of a velvet rope experience, where camaraderie was palpable among exhibitors and attendees sharing anecdotes about the heritage of their rare automobiles.
Notably, a substantial proportion of attendees were older in age, with a sprinkle of younger, more flashy collectors attending as well. Consensus among attendees was that the May event evokes a sense of nostalgia, with attendees eager to reconnect and reminisce about their shared passion for classic cars.
Como's limited space made hosting the Concorso feel like a logistical nightmare. However, the draw of the event lured thousands, prolonging traffic congestion for the duration of the weekend. Despite the difficulties, the lakeside embraced the car craze for a few days.
Day One: Launch Event at Villa d'Este
The launch event on the first evening primarily belonged to BMW, who hosted a cocktail hour, dinner, and three major unveilings. In addition to presenting a new BMW M2 CS model and a concept motorbike, BMW debuted the BMW Concept Speedtop. This elegant grand tourer uses the platform from the BMW 8-Series, promising to become a limited-edition coachbuilt model once it hits production.
Some observed that the BMW Concept Speedtop resembled the Purosangue, a bespoke BMW model that will likely require Ferrari-sized wallets, albeit without the Ferrari brand cachet.
BMW's cultural kudos is undeniable in hosting the event, briefly turning the venue into a hub of wealth. Only 59 cars were exhibited at the Concorso, making it a highly selective event that is also easily navigable due to its limited size compared to other shows such as the Pebble Beach Concours.
While BMW's luster in the realm of racing and luxury heritage might not be as strong as that of Porsche or Mercedes, its marketing department surely breathed a sigh of relief when an immaculate white 1957 BMW 507 owned by American collector Dirk de Groen (President of the BMW Classic Car Club of America) won the prestigious Coppo d'Oro. Vote tallies from Saturday visitors awarded the car based on its charisma and appeal.
As a saxophonist and bongo player entertained the crowd post-launch, it was time to head back to the Hilton for a night of rest.
Day Two: Villa d'Este
Day Two at the Villa began early, with strict ticketing on Saturdays ensuring that the event never felt overly crowded. The contagious atmosphere became even more clubbable as exhibitors lined up their cars in their respective class categories.
A vintage seaplane made passes over the lake before landing farther down the coast, adding to the event's theatrical quality. The combination of classic cars and speedy aircraft created an electrifying atmosphere, with the disintegrating scent of carbon monoxide, engine oil, old leather, and unburnt fuel filling the air.
Adrian van Hooydonk, a European figure known for his love of ceremony and theater, praised the event's enduring appeal. The attire of choice among participants welcomed warm weather with Panama hats and linen suits, adorned with pocket squares and leather-cased cameras.
The show's wow factor was not limited to its selection of classic cars. An impressive display focused on 100 years of the Rolls-Royce Phantom was also exhibited, featuring the one-off Phantom Goldfinger and the 1937 Phantom III Sedanca de Ville used in the James Bond film.
Only one electric vehicle was on display, Lotus's Theory One, which competed in the 'Concept Cars & Prototypes' category. Ben Payne, the designer of the hypothetical electrical hypercar, seemed nothing short of overjoyed to be in Como, introducing his creation to a wealthy European audience.
As I walked back to the Hilton, I passed a series of satellite events showcasing restomod specialists such as Kimera and their Lancia-inspired EVO38, as well as the FuoriConcorso event held at the nearby Villa Grumello and Villa Sucota. The local traffic seemed to have taken a step up with supercars and classics lining up in every parking lot and traffic jam.
Day Three: Auctions, Exhibitions, and Trophies at Villa Erba
The entire fleet of entrants moved from Villa d'Este to the Villa Erba on the third day. Hosting the event in such a small space felt like a madcap endeavor, yet the lakeside embraced the car craze for several days, even if progress involved slow-going traffic.
Saturday served as an exclusive event with limited ticketing, offering a more intimate atmosphere compared to Sunday, a public day. In addition to the 59 cars in competition, the event featured a delectable spread of classic cars in various auctions led by Broad Arrow, another partner organization.
The auction on Day Three struggled to match the value of the exhibited cars, with only one BMW-only auction slated for Saturday night. Unsurprisingly, the biggest disconnect was between those who actively use their cars and those who hoard them as investments.
The 2025 Concorso honored ten awarded cars with a combined worth well over €100m. It was not uncommon to see youngsters in attendance as part of multi-generational families who had passed down their cars for generations. The auction's highlight included a late-1950s Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Veloce de Pininfarina going for €4,500,000, eclipsing its estimated €4,200,000.
In conclusion, the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este remains an essential event in the classic car world, offering a living museum showcasing rare and beautiful machines while promoting automotive artistry and innovation. For casual enthusiasts, the opportunity to witness such elegant vehicles in action is invaluable, and the opportunity to rub shoulders with industry insiders and collectors makes the event an experience not to be missed.
For more information, visit concorsodeleganzavilladeste.com, bmwgroup-classic.com, and BroadArrowAuctions.com.
[1] Bernardo, H. (2022, May 26). Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2022: BMW’s 100 Years of the Rolls-Royce Phantom - World Car Fans. Retrieved from https://worldcarfans.com/discoveries/concorso-del-eleganza-villa-d-este-2022-bmws-100-years-of-the-rolls-royce-phantom/
[2] Bernardo, H. (2022, May 24). Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2022: Dirk de Groen’s 1957 BMW 507 Wins Coppa d’Oro - World Car Fans. Retrieved from https://worldcarfans.com/reviews/concorso-del-eleganza-villa-d-este-2022-dirk-de-groens-1957-bmw-507-wins-coppa-d-oro/
[3] Bernardo, H. (2022, May 28). More Photos – Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato Became a Hot Topic of Discussion at Villa d’Este - World Car Fans. Retrieved from https://worldcarfans.com/exclusives/more-photos-aston-martin-db4-gt-zagato-featured-at-the-concorso-del-eleganza-villa-d-este/
[4] Bernardo, H. (2022, May 29). Bonhams reports a record €106.9 Million at 2022 Concorso del Guidelines 1931 Mercedes-Benz 6x6 Truck Sold for €2.87 Million - World Car Fans. Retrieved from https://worldcarfans.com/exclusives/bonhams-reports-a-record-106-9-million-at-2022-concorso-del-guidelines-with-1931-mercedes-benz-6x6-truck-selling-for-eu2-87-million/
[5] Bernardo, H. (2022, May 23). Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2022: Koenigsegg Absolut Scales new Heights at the Concorso - World Car Fans. Retrieved from https://worldcarfans.com/exclusives/concorso-del-eleganza-villa-d-este-2022-koenigsegg-absolut-7/
- The involvement of BMW Group, a prominent player in the automotive industry and finance, has played a crucial role in the revival and continued success of the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, a prestigious event that bridges transportation, lifestyle, and classic cars.
- The Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, set amidst the picturesque landscape of Italy's Lake Como, has become a coveted gathering for the elite end of the classic car market, attracting spectators, enthusiasts, and industry insiders interested in car-maintenance and design.
- The 2022 Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, showcasing over 59 rare and beautiful cars, offered attendees an invaluable experience to witness automotive artistry and innovation in the fields of transportation, lifestyle, and cars, fostering camaraderie among exhibitors and enthusiasts alike.
