Camera and Action: Cinematic classics at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2018.

Munich / Milan. Proud owners and passionate fans of
extraordinary classics on two, three and four wheels will gather
together on the banks of Lake Como in Cernobbio, Northern Italy, from
25th to 27th May 2018. They will be celebrating the world’s most
exclusive and traditional beauty contest for historic vehicles. At the
Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2018, 51 automobiles and 30
motorcycles and sidecar combinations from different eras will compete
for the favour of the public and an international Jury of
distinguished experts. The highpoints of the classic weekend organised
jointly by BMW Group Classic and the Grand Hotel Villa d’Este include
the public vehicle presentation in the parkland of Villa Erba, the
Street Run by the motorcycle entrants taking part in the competition,
special exhibitions and the award of the “Best of Show” on Sunday evening.

 

“Hollywood on the Lake”: Spectacular staging against a
cinematic backdrop.

The Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2018 is being held under the
motto of “Hollywood on the Lake”. The selection of the classics
nominated for the beauty contest being held beside Lake Como covers
all eras of vehicle and film history – from the age of silent film to
the era of modern blockbusters. Once again this year, the grounds of
the Grand Hotel Villa d’Este and the neighbouring parkland of Villa
Erba will form a stylish and atmospheric backdrop for the cinematic
pageant of the most beautiful automobiles and motorcycles. BMW Group
Classic is also presenting the special exhibition entitled “Movie Cars
and Bikes” in the Padiglione Centrale of Villa Erba. This exhibition
showcases vehicles that played a leading role in famous screen
successes, including the classic Mini driven by “Mister Bean” and
original vehicles from “James Bond” films and the “Mission Impossible” series.

 

Long tradition and international alignment.

The inimitable character of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este has
a long tradition extending back to the year 1929, when the first
vehicle exhibition was held on the shores of Lake Como entitled “Coppa
d’Oro Villa d’Este”. This was a showcase for new launches in the
automobile sector – and it also had an international focus. The
automobiles selected by the Selecting Committee for this year’s beauty
contest are presented by owners from 15 countries. Twelve vehicles are
in US ownership, seven marques in each case come from Italy and
Switzerland. The selected rare treasures originated from a total of 28
different manufacturers between 1909 and 1985. The Concorso di
Motociclette is being held for the eighth time this year and vehicle
owners from six nations were inspired to participate. Their
motorcycles and sidecar combinations were produced by 25 different
manufacturers between 1907 and 1969.

 

The competition of classic automobiles is divided into eight award
classes. In line with this year’s event motto, the vehicles presented
will include cars that have made an enduring impression on the road
and also made their mark as performers in feature films. Another class
will present a competition between Formula 1 racing bombshells from
the royal class of motor sport from various decades.

 

Class A. The Titans: Dirt, Dust and Danger.

Class B. From Manhattan to Mayfair: The Golden Age of Motoring Opulence.

Class C. Shaped by the Wind: Grandes Routières of the Art Deco Era.

Class D. New World, New Ideas: The Story of the GT.

Class E. Speed Meets Style: The Flowering of the Sports

[TC1] Racing Car.

Class F. 80 Years of Automotive Archaeology.

Class G. Hollywood on the Lake: Stars of the Silver Screen.

Class H. When Sex was Safe and Racing was Dangerous: Formula One!

 

The field of historic motorcycles and sidecar combinations is divided
into five categories. The spectrum of showcased vehicles ranges from
large-capacity touring bikes from the early years of American
motorcycle production in the US to Italian racing machines powered by
single-cylinder engines.

 

Class A. Golden Years for American Motorcycles.

Class B. Luxury on 3 Wheels: Sidecars in the 1920s and 1930s.

Class C. New Ideas for the 1950s.

Class D. Winning Italian Singles: 250

cc Grand
Prix Motorcycles.

Class E. New Clothes on British and German Motorcycles.

 

Concept Cars and Concept Bikes: Harmonious coexistence between
tradition and future.

BMW Group Classic is highly active in supporting and maintaining the
brand and model heritage. The awareness of tradition is a fixed
component of identity and offers orientation for forward-looking
development of the company. The BMW Museum, Group Archives, Vehicle
Collection, Classic Workshop and Parts Shop, and support for the
national and international club scene additionally encourage a lively
exchange of views and ideas with owners and fans of historic
automobiles and motorcycles.

 

Heritage vehicles from the brands of BMW and BMW Motorrad, MINI and
Rolls-Royce are authentically presented to fans and aficionados all
over the world by participating in a large number of trade fairs,
exhibitions, classic rallies and similar events. As an organiser of
the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, BMW Group Classic presents the
passion for the heritage of mobility in a particularly intensive way.
The exceptionally high status of the classic weekend on the shores of
Lake Como derives from the distinguished field of participants, the
enthusiastic public audience and the exclusive event framework.

 

The distinctive characteristics of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa
d’Este also include the unique connection between an awareness of
tradition and looking forward to the future. Spectacular prototypes
and design drafts from recent times are presented alongside the
classics with their special aesthetic profile and historic
significance. The vehicles nominated in the classes Concept Cars and
Prototypes and Concept Bikes showcase impressive design and conceptual
highlights that elevate them to the rank of classics of the future.
The public referendum will decide the winners of the special prizes
awarded for exciting design on four and two wheels.

 

Distinguished Jury provides outstanding expertise.

A Jury made up of international experts will decide on the conferment
of class winners and the bestowal of the award “Best of Show”. The
Jury members are characterised by complete independence and
outstanding expertise. Lorenzo Ramaciotti from Italy has been
President of the Jury since 2004. During the course of his long
professional career, he worked as Head of Design at Pinnfarina and in
the Fiat Group. Over the past two decades, he has also been active in
evaluating historic automobiles. He is supported in his role of Jury
President by other distinguished experts: Ian Cameron from the United
Kingdom, Chief Designer at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars until 2012, US
journalist and automobile historian Winston Goodfellow, Harm Lagaaij
from the Netherlands, former Chief Designer at Ford, BMW and Porsche,
Mauro Forghieri from Italy, former Formula 1 designer at Scuderia
Ferrari, Adolfo Orsi, expert on Maseratis and historian of Italian
motor sport, Stefano Pasini, journalist and author of automobile
books, Patrick le Quément from France, former Chief Designer at
Renault, and German automobile journalist J. Philip Rathgen.

 

The team of Honorary Judges, which traditionally supports the Jury at
the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, has once again been augmented.
This year, the judges have been joined by a new member in the form of
the Chief Design Officer at Apple, Sir Jonathan Paul “Jony” Ive. The
British designer is fascinated by the charisma that emanates from
historic automobiles, and the same is true of Italian designer Lapo
Elkann, owner of the fashion label “Italia Independent” and grandson
of former head of the FIAT Group Gianni Agnelli. Elkann will also be
evaluating the sumptuous vehicles on the shores of Lake Como for the
first time this year. Alongside Yasmin Le Bon from the United Kingdom,
Quirina Louwman from the Netherlands is another classic car aficionado
and regular participant in classic rallies, and both of them will
assist in the allocation of points this year.

 

Programme schedule:

More than 8000 visitors are expected this year in the parkland of
Villa Erba alone to admire the magnificent rare treasures on two,
three and four wheels. Before all the guests arrive, 58 truckloads of
stages, podiums, audience stands, lighting and sound technology
alongside other equipment will be brought to the venue so as to ensure
the smooth running of the event for all the guests.

 

The Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2018 will begin on Friday, 25th
May 2018, with the arrival of the participants and the presentation of
a Concept Bike recently designed at BMW Motorrad. At 14.00 on
Saturday, 26th May 2018, the Street Run of the motorcycles taking part
in the contest sets off from Villa Erba on an outing to Villa d’Este.
They form a spectacular cavalcade travelling through the streets of
Cernobbio. In the afternoon, the first important and most traditional
award in the contest is presented with the “Coppa d’Oro Villa d’Este”
public prize. On Sunday, 27th May 2018, the 51 participants in the
beauty contest for automobiles and the 30 historic motorcycles and
sidecar combinations will parade in front of the grandstand in the
park of Villa Erba. The crowning finale of the event will take place
in the evening when the overall winner will be announced. The title
Best of Show will be conferred on this vehicle and the “Trofeo BMW
Group” will be awarded.

 

Media representatives will find additional information under www.concorsodeleganzavilladeste.com