+162 Racing Style on Lake Como
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Photo BMW Group
Racing Style on Lake Como
Racing Style on Lake Como
Racing Style on Lake Como
Racing Style on Lake Como
Racing Style on Lake Como
Racing Style on Lake Como
Racing Style on Lake Como
Racing Style on Lake Como
Racing Style on Lake Como
Great cars on the shores of Lake Como. Both the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este and FuoriConcorso – held just across the street in Cernobbio – were once again world class events. And a prewar Alfa Romeo came out on top.
It was one of those weekends where the Como breeze smelled of petrol, pomade and promise. On May 24th and 25th, the shores of Lake Como became the epicentre of the international collectors’ scene, hosting not one, but two of the premier automotive happenings: FuoriConcorso and the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. Different in vibe, identical in ambition; to be world-class.
Let’s start with the obvious: two events, one weekend, one lake — it’s a splendid idea. Even better for us: both had a strong focus on racing machines this year. At FuoriConcorso, the theme ‘Racing Legends’ was more than just a motto — it was a full-throttle immersion into the DNA of speed. Meanwhile, the Villa d’Este lawn had never looked better with its blend of design icons and BMW’s historic racing glories.
Different styles
What a show it turned out to be: sunny skies, shimmering lake and the most beautiful cars – art really – that took a central place in these magnificent surroundings. At Villa d’Este, it was old money, fine tailoring and curated elegance — sprezzatura – on a concours green. At FuoriConcorso, hosted across Villa Olmo and beyond, it was cool kids, camera crews, and carbon fibre. You could almost hear a Tipo 33 gearbox clicking through your espresso foam.
The magic? Both clicked. There was a quiet harmony, intentional or not, in having these twin pillars standing shoulder to shoulder. One with the gravitas of tradition, the other with the crackle of cultural electricity. BMW deserves a full tank of credit: at Villa d’Este they went full throttle with a large team of specialists and event people, and the grandezza of a distinguished lady that has seen it all. The cars exhibited were excellent and while we still compare prewar automobile royalty with nineties supercars, hey, we have a winner at the end. And the winner is: the audience full of passion.
Italy’s finest
And while we’re handing out laurels: Guglielmo Miani and Andrea Luzardi — King and Duke of Cool — pulled it off again. Miani’s vision for FuoriConcorso has matured into something much more than a satellite to Villa d’Este. It’s now its own solar system. Bringing the best of Italy on the table, including an official Ferrari Le Mans car, Turin Museum, rally Lancias, and Alfa Romeos in abundance. ‘Race Cars are Culture Collecting’ panel — an almost spiritual call to arms — was easily the best collector talk I’ve heard in 15 years. No fluff. Just raw passion, erudition, and that undeniable thrill of ‘I was there’.
Auctions
The Broad Arrow Auction? Professionally presented, thoughtfully selected, and — rare these days — with an edge of suspense. The early racing Ferrari sold for a very good price and Broad Arrow punches heavyweight now. On the grounds of Villa Erba you got the feeling that every car had a shot at glory. Even the youngtimer crowd at the Enthusiast Club showed up big — BMW e21s, M5 Tourings, and the splendid Maserati Ghibli 2 felt suddenly… fresh. While RM Sotheby’s made Lamborghini owners in Milan dance, some others sobbed, come on guys: we told you go for it big time.
Still, not all was perfect. The traffic was madness and despite the density of car culture, we were sorely missing something: the sound of engines on the move. Cernobbio’s elegance deserves more than just static display. Driving events, even short ones, would inject life and continuity into the otherwise picture-perfect freeze frame.
Yes, some of the cars — let’s be honest — we’ve seen them around the world’s ‘concours circus’ before. But exceptions stood tall:
- Villa d’Este: The OSI Silverfox prototype – a land catamaran sailing on shore.
- Villa d’Este: The Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 from Ralph Lauren – do we need to say more?
- FuoriConcorso: The Ferrari Le Mans winner 2024 – still with the dirt of race; we love it
- FuoriConcorso: Lamborghini Diablo SVR – the Devil in automobile form.
In the end, Lake Como is now officially the magnet in spring. While others — cough St. Moritz cough — still hope and hustle, the Italians show how to own a weekend. It’s not just an event anymore. It’s a movement, a destination, and a declaration: ‘We take this seriously. And we’re having fun doing it.’
At Tazio, we’ll be watching these cars — and their owners — all year. And we want to see them drive. Not just shine. The fuel of dreams is still octane. Let’s burn it properly.
No stop signs. No speed limits. Just keep spinning the wheel.
Alfa Romeo P3
Finally, for the second year, the Concorso judges ended up handing ‘best of show’ to a pre-war car, perhaps a prelude to a popular revival of these vintage cars? In this case, the 1934 Alfa Romeo P3 is one we cherish, as it is one our patron saint Tazio Nuvolari raced himself. This particular P3, now belonging to the Auriga Collection, was a Scuderia Ferrari entry, raced by Achille Varzi in 1934. The great Varzi won the Nice and Tripoli Grand Prix in it. Guy Moll took the win in this chassis in the Avusrennen in Berlin, a non-championship race. Louis Chiron came second in this car in the Monaco Grand Prix. Laden in history.
