There are countless classic car events around the globe. And there are the absolutely top-class events for the foodies of the classic automobile, quasi the star cuisine of the scrap metal. The “Grand Slam” here are the Classic Days Schloss Dyck, Pebble Beach in the USA, the Goodwood Revival and the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este on Lake Como.

The last one took place again in 2021 after the forced Corona break at the eponymous luxury hotel in Cernobbio. Almost 50 historic automobiles in eight rating classes were nominated for the competition, which was organized jointly by BMW Group Classic and the Grand Hotel Villa d’Este.

BMW has been using the event for over 20 years to present its brands such as Rolls-Royce to a solvent audience. In 2021, the boattail, rumored to be more than 20 million euros, was the focus. BMW itself showed the i4, iX and a special model of the 8 series designed by Jeff Koons (more on this in the coming months).

Anyone who thinks that BMW is equipping the classic car competition with its own vehicles – no result. Here you have a good hand and provided an interesting cross-section through automotive history in 2021 as well. There is something for everyone: special cars that even some experts don’t know. Great design and incredible sound for the normal viewer. And of course the fantastic ambience around the Villa d’Este.

We were there and want to introduce you to our 10 personal favorites. Some of them have also been awarded prizes. And if you want to see even more fantastic classics, you will find a very extensive picture gallery at the end.

Lagonda LG45 Rapide (1937)
Clark Gable had good taste. He was the first owner of this Lagonda LG45 Rapide with in-line six-cylinder and 4,453 cubic centimeters of displacement. The Lagonda brand celebrated some successes at Le Mans in the 1930s and joined Aston Martin after the war. Today’s owner of the LG45 is Hans Hulsbergen from Switzerland.

Gräf & Stift SR4 SP
The Gräf & Stift brand is probably only known to historians. Archduke Franz Ferdinand was murdered in a model made by the Austrian manufacturer in 1914, which led to World War I. The SR4 SP shown here is a little younger: the 110 hp series from a mighty 7.7-liter V8 was built from 1926 to 1928. Gräf & Stift later switched to the construction of trucks and buses and is now part of MAN.

Lancia Dilambda Serie I (1930)
Die Coppa d’Oro Villa d’Este ging in diesem Jahr an den Lancia Dilambda Serie I aus dem Jahr 1930. Das exquisite Einzelstück aus dem Besitz des italienischen Oldtimer-Enthusiasten, Restaurators und Lancia-Experten Filippo Sole entschied die Abstimmung unter den Gästen auf dem Gelände des Grand Hotels Villa d’Este für sich.

Sein vier Liter großer V8-Motor galt mit seiner kompakten Bauweise und dem auf 24 Grad reduzierten Zylinder-Bankwinkel als besonders innovative Konstruktion und lieferte mit einer Spitzenleistung von 100 PS eine für ein Luxus-Automobil der damaligen Zeit mehr als angemessene Antriebskraft. Im Fall des beim Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2021 präsentierten Fahrzeugs entstand beim Londoner Karosseriebauer Carlton Carriage ein Drop Head Coupé, das in dieser Form nur ein einziges Mal gefertigt wurde.

Fiat 508 CS “Ballila Aerodinamica” (1935)
The Fiat 508 from the 1930s was the first popular car from the Fiat brand. The aerodynamic fashion of that time was followed by this 508 CS with a look like a heavily shrunk Bugatti Atlantic. In the midst of its mighty neighbors, the little Italian with a 995 cc four-cylinder caused a sensation. The owner is Mark Geessink from the Netherlands.

Bentley Mk VI (1947)
This Bentley Mk VI with convertible body by Franay is a real beauty in various shades of brown. The in-line six-cylinder engine has a displacement of 4,257 cubic centimeters under the bonnet. Owner: David Kronsbein (Great Britain).

Isotta-Fraschini 8C Monterosa (1948)
Before the Second World War, Isotta-Fraschini was one of the luxury brands for the rich and beautiful of this world. After that, however, it was no longer possible to build on the success. This 1948 Boneschi 8C Monterosa belongs to Duccio Lopresto from Italy. The V8 with “only” 2,981 cubic centimeters is remarkable.

Fiat 500 Abarth (1957)
90 years of Pininfarina was celebrated in Cernobbio. Our highlight in terms of Italian elegance plus cuteness is the Fiat 500 Abarth clad at Pininfarina. When the engine starts, the typical sound of the 479 cubic two-cylinder can be heard. But from the front and inside, the tiny sports car is reminiscent of Ferrari models of its time, while the rear section evokes associations with Porsche.

Howmet TX (1968)
The Howmet TX racing car (left) looks inconspicuous, but alas, the engine is started. Behind the driver there is an infernally loud turbine that sounds like an old Boeing 707. Andreas Mohringer from Austria brought the audience’s favorite sound to the start.

Ferrari F40 Prototipo (1987)
What else should we say about the Ferrari F40? It hung in countless children’s rooms and, along with the Porsche 959, was THE automotive superstar of the 1980s. So much can be revealed: In nature, the V8 with 2,936 cubic capacity sounds relatively unspectacular. The owner of the photo vehicle is Patrick van Glabeke from Belgium.

Isdera Commendatore 112i (1993)
With the Isdera Commendatore 112i, the small German brand set an 800,000 mark highlight at the IAA 1993. The fat V12 with six liters displacement was donated by the Mercedes 600 SE (W 140), the headlights by the Porsche 968. A GRP is located on a tubular frame -Body with wing doors. Philip Sarofim (USA) brought the unique piece with him to Lake Como.

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