The Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2009 has produced a brilliant winner. An Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Berlinetta Touring claimed victory in the coveted Trofeo BMW Group, awarded by the Jury to the "best of show" at the Concorso.
And it was not only the Jury who were won over by the 1938 Alfa - the two prizes awarded by public referendum, the tradition rich Coppa d'Oro Villa d'Este and the Trofeo BMW Group Italia, also went to the car owned by American Jon Shirley. In the Concorso d'Eleganza Design Award for concept cars and prototypes, the public voted for the Aston Martin One-77.
As in recent years, the car enthusiasts from all around the world were treated to glorious sunshine on Saturday. Although the sun was replaced by grey skies and continuous rain on Sunday, nothing could dampen the spirits of the more than 2,600 visitors who flocked to the grounds of Villa Erba in Cernobbio, Italy.
"The great response from the public despite the poor weather shows how this event has become a firm fixture on the calendar of car aficionados from both this region and countries around the world," said Karl Baumer, President of the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este and Director of BMW Group Classic. "The weather on Sunday could have been better for the 80th anniversary of the Concorso, but a sunny Saturday with this selection of cars provided a more than worthy setting for our anniversary Concorso," added Jean-Marc Droulers, President of Villa d'Este S.p.A.
In addition to the concours vehicles, like in previous editions of the Concorso d'Eleganza, organizers also staged special exhibitions revolving around specific brands. The 2009 event saw BMW, Bugatti, Morgan and the Prototype Museum in Hamburg bringing to Lake Como a range of unique vehicles. This special exhibitions was be open in the grounds of Villa Erba on the public day, Sunday 26 April.
photo:BMW
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| This Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B - known as the Berlinetta - claimed victory in the coveted Trofeo BMW Group at the 2009 edition of the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este. Only six examples of this car were built between 1935 and WW2. In September 1947, this one emigrated from Italy via Switzerland to the USA. After being sold to a buyer in South Africa in 1980, the car - now with red paintwork - was restored in England and repainted in its original blue. In 2005, American Jon Shirley acquired it and had it restored to its original condition. For the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2009, this Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B was back on Italian soil again for the first time since 1947. |
And it was not only the Jury who were won over by the 1938 Alfa - the two prizes awarded by public referendum, the tradition rich Coppa d'Oro Villa d'Este and the Trofeo BMW Group Italia, also went to the car owned by American Jon Shirley. In the Concorso d'Eleganza Design Award for concept cars and prototypes, the public voted for the Aston Martin One-77.
As in recent years, the car enthusiasts from all around the world were treated to glorious sunshine on Saturday. Although the sun was replaced by grey skies and continuous rain on Sunday, nothing could dampen the spirits of the more than 2,600 visitors who flocked to the grounds of Villa Erba in Cernobbio, Italy.
"The great response from the public despite the poor weather shows how this event has become a firm fixture on the calendar of car aficionados from both this region and countries around the world," said Karl Baumer, President of the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este and Director of BMW Group Classic. "The weather on Sunday could have been better for the 80th anniversary of the Concorso, but a sunny Saturday with this selection of cars provided a more than worthy setting for our anniversary Concorso," added Jean-Marc Droulers, President of Villa d'Este S.p.A.
In addition to the concours vehicles, like in previous editions of the Concorso d'Eleganza, organizers also staged special exhibitions revolving around specific brands. The 2009 event saw BMW, Bugatti, Morgan and the Prototype Museum in Hamburg bringing to Lake Como a range of unique vehicles. This special exhibitions was be open in the grounds of Villa Erba on the public day, Sunday 26 April.
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| 1969 BMW 2800 Spicup Concept (front). This car was first unveiled before the public at the Geneva Motor Show 40 years ago. Designed as an open car, it can be turned into a coupé, which explains its name, a contraction of "Spider" and "Coupe". The front end was designed in textbook Bertone style while accommodating the hallmark BMW kidney grille. |
photo:BMW
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