CONCORSO D’ELEGANZA VILLA D’ESTE 

The past is, in many ways, a fascinating thing. With the passing of the years, the objects that survive the many trials put before them acquire an air of nearly mysticism: a halo of elegance formed in past eras, shrouded in a mystery that makes us wonder about the things and the times that came before ours. In its origins, the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este was an exclusive convention where the most renowned luxury car makers showed their latest creations to a select audience. Nearly a century has passed since the first concorso in 1929, and still, every year it continues to delight its audience with incredible wonders.

For three days every year, the Gran Hotel Villa d’Este, located on the edge of lake Cuomo, a particular multitude comes together. People of all ages and from all over the world is joined by their passion for automobiles and the elegance of years past and come to take part of the Concorso. In it, 50 cars of the best manufacture, made between 1920 and the present year, compete for the title to the utmost refinement. Each of the contestants must have an impeccable design, full of originality end elegance, and be in a perfect state of preservation, not matter what year it was made in. A panel of experts led by the association’s president, Lorenzo Ramaciotti, judges the automobiles and chooses the winner of the Best of Show prize, one of the highest honours in the concorso. There are, however, several prizes in different categories to be earned, like the Concept Cars & Prototypes, which evaluates modern cars and possible cars of the future, and one of the most beloved of all, the Coppa d’Oro Villa d’Este, which goes to the automobile that receives the greatest ovation from the assistants.

As wondrous as the competing automobiles are, in their dazzling finishes and airs of elegance, one of the greatest prides of the concorso are none other but its assistants. Refined, cordial and infinitely elegant, each comes following their love for the past and great beauty and shares this very enthusiasm with everyone that surrounds them. The Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este is a paradise for the lovers of automobiles, the fine and the grandiose. Its next edition, which will be held at the usual place on May 19 to 21, 2023, promises to be at the cusp of refinement, just as in the golden years of aristocracy.

Photos: courtesy.