Concorso d’Eleganza Varignana: A festival of classic cars and culture in Italy

For classic car enthusiasts, the Concorso d’Eleganza Varignana 1705 is an increasingly essential moment in the annual automobile calendar, seeing a carefully curated selection of historic motor cars brought together and displayed against the backdrop of the luxurious Palazzo di Varignana resort in Bologna, Italy. Held in late September, the festival’s second edition saw automobile enthusiasts descend on the Bolognese Hills to admire the impressive display. Illustrating a genre-defining moment in classic car history, many of the prestigious models were built before 1973, and selected for its design values, purity of provenance, or exquisitely executed engineering.

From ‘Italian Rebels’ to ‘British Postcards’, awards were given across six classes, while the overall Best in Show prize was awarded to an iconic 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB, owned by Mr Giuseppe Matildi. Other category winners included a 1925 Bugatti Type 35A, a 1950 Alfa Romeo 2500 SS Villa D’Este, and a 1964 Porsche 904, among other extraordinary vehicles.Winning its class, Il Meglio Della Motor Valley (The Best of the Motor Valley), the Best of Show winning 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB (chassis number 08795), had a long and storied history. Sold in 1966 in Milan through the Crepaldi Dealership, it was one of the final 105 cars produced from the long-nose series, holding a significant place in Ferrari history. This car was part of a limited series modified to test the Torque Tube chassis – a crucial development to solve vibration issues, that would be applied to future models such as the 275 GTB/4 and the Daytona.

Part of the “lightened” series, this particular 275 GTB features aluminium doors and hoods, differentiating it from models with fully steel bodies or those made entirely from aluminium. It has also been certified by Ferrari Classiche, which is a testament to its authenticity and historical importance. Owned by Mr Matildi since 1989, the car has participated in 10 editions of the Tour de France, as well as eight editions of Italia Classica. Its competitive pedigree is evidenced by its FIVA Certificate and ASI registration and the car was invited to the elite Ferrari 50th Anniversary celebration in Rome in 1997.Undergoing a complete restoration by Sauro in 1996, ahead of the anniversary, it more recently underwent another meticulous restoration by Bonini, which took two and a half years to complete. This second restoration brought the car to today’s high standards while preserving its rich history. The bodywork, chrome, interior and engine were painstakingly restored to concours-quality perfection, maintaining the car’s heritage while making it ready for future competitions.

Remarking on the winning Ferrari 275 GTB, the judges expressed their admiration, calling it one of the finest examples of Ferrari craftsmanship they’ve seen. They praised its restoration, which highlighted its timeless design in one of Ferrari’s most iconic shades – ‘Giallo Fly’ yellow. Carlo Gherardi, Founder of Palazzo di Varignana, commented: “This year’s Concorso exceeded all expectations. The quality of the automobiles, the expertise of our judges, and the passion shared by collectors and attendees made it a truly remarkable event. We are honoured to crown the Ferrari 275 GTB as Best of Show and congratulate all of the class winners and special award recipients.”

The distinguished panel of automotive judges for the 2024 edition included Stefano Pasini, the President of the Jury and renowned author of over 30 automotive books; Stephen Bayley, architect, writer and contributor to Octane magazine; Alessandra Giorgetti, the Vice President of Registro Internazionale Touring Superleggera; François Melcion the Director of Retromobile Paris; Gianni Mercatali, legendary luxury communications and business leader; Adolfo Orsi, an automotive historian and scion of the family that were custodians of the Maserati brand; and Peter Read, Chairman of the Royal Automobile Club’s Motoring Committee.Discover more automotive news with Tempus