27May
At this year’s Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, the Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 got crowned the prestigious Trofeo BMW Group for being the "Best of Show." This classic car stole the spotlight with its timeless elegance, design, and historic significance.
The event celebrated automotive beauty and heritage, with a collection of luxurious and iconic vehicles displayed to the critical eyes of enthusiasts and industry pundits. T
he Alfa Romeo 8C 2300's win at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este celebrates its renowned status as a masterpiece in automotive history. The 93-year-old Italian machine captivated enthusiasts and experts with its exceptional qualities and unmatched beauty on display.
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What Is The Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este
The Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este is one of the world's most prestigious classic car events. It is held annually on the shores of Italy’s Lake Como. Established in 1929, the event shows off rare and historic automobiles, celebrating their elegance, design, and engineering excellence.
Hosted at the luxurious Villa d'Este hotel and Villa Erba, the event features a Concours d'Elegance where meticulously restored vintage cars compete for awards. It attracts collectors, enthusiasts, and automotive industry leaders with its unique blend of heritage, luxury, and innovation.
Beyond the car competition, the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este event includes auctions, parades, and exhibitions. It’s a glamorous atmosphere reminiscent of a bygone era, simultaneously honoring automotive history and fostering a sense of community among aficionados.
Highlights Of The 2024 Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este
Photo credit: Rove.me
The 2024 Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este was, as expected, a spectacular celebration of automotive beauty and heritage. The BMW Group Classic hosted this year’s edition in collaboration with the Grand Hotel Villa d'Este.
It was a prestigious affair as usual, showcasing historic cars and concept vehicles that made it more than worth the time of those who came from far and near to be part of the event. Here are the highlights and winners:
25th Anniversary of the BMW Z8:
The event celebrated the iconic BMW Z8's 25th anniversary with special activities. The Z8 roadster was conceived in 1993 under the developmental code name “E52.”
It was eventually born in 1998 with a body designed by Henrik Fisker and an interior by Scott Lempert. The Villa d’Este is a fitting place to celebrate the Z8’s beauty. It was initially a styling project to celebrate the 1956–1959 BMW 507.
Historic Car Parade
Photo credit: Roarington
Approximately 50 historic cars built between the 1920s and 1980s paraded through the beautiful gardens of Villa Erba. It was a feast for the eyes and minds for the enthusiasts who marveled at classic models from various eras.
Concept Cars
Some of the latest concept cars graced the event. Design and engineering marvels like the BMW Concept Skytop, Automobili Pininfarina PURA Vision, and Koenigsegg CC850 showcased their futuristic designs and cutting-edge innovation.
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Competition Classes
Exquisite vehicles competed for the coveted Trofeo BMW Group – Best of Show award. The competition classes featured meticulously restored classics, each bringing its unique story and craftsmanship to the jury.
Public Day – Il Festival
On May 26, the public enjoyed the parade of cars at Villa Erba. Families and car lovers immersed themselves in culture, music, and automotive fascination.
BMW Art Cars Exhibition
A special exhibition highlighted the significance of BMW Art Cars in motorsport and automotive art. These artistic collaborations between renowned artists and BMW added a creative dimension to the event.
The 2024 Trofeo BMW Group Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este Winner: Alfa Romeo 8C 2300
The Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 with a 1930s Figoni-designed spider coachwork, won the Trofeo BMW Group – Best of Show. The event, held on Lake Como's shores, featured numerous historic cars and attracted a large audience.
The winner received a unique A. Lange und Söhne 1815 Chronograph watch. Public Day highlights included BMW's new concept cars and a tribute to designer Marcello Gandini. The event concluded with a donation to a local nursery.
A Look Back At The Alfa Romeo 8C 2300
Photo credit: Concours of Elegance
The Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 with the 1930s Figoni-designed spider coachwork represents a striking blend of Italian performance and French artistry. Overview
- Make: Alfa Romeo
- Model: 8C 2300
- Era: 1930s
- Coachbuilder: Figoni et Falaschi
- Body Style: Spider (convertible)
Design and Styling
Exterior: The Figoni-designed spider bodywork is renowned for its flowing lines and aerodynamic shapes. Figoni et Falaschi were known for their elegant and luxurious designs, which often included sweeping fenders, long hoods, and low, streamlined profiles. The Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Spider by Figoni is a prime example of this aesthetic, featuring smooth curves and a sense of motion even at a standstill.
Front End: The front features a prominent, narrow Alfa Romeo grille flanked by large, round headlamps. The design is as functional as it is stylish, optimizing aerodynamics and cooling.
Side Profile: The side view is characterized by a long hood, a low-slung body, and a graceful taper towards the rear. The doors often feature subtle sculpting and sometimes decorative elements like chrome strips or two-tone paintwork.
Rear End: The 8C 2300’s rear tapers elegantly with minimalistic yet stylish tail lights, a hint of the spare tire, and dual exhaust pipes.
Performance and Engineering
The 8C 2300 is powered by a 2.3-liter inline-eight engine, designed by the legendary Vittorio Jano. Its dual overhead camshafts and supercharging were innovative for its time. The engine generated approximately 142 horsepower, which was quite significant for the 1930s.
The four-speed manual gearbox offered a tactile and engaging driving experience. The 8C 2300 favored a steel ladder frame, which contributed to its rigidity and handling prowess. The suspension consists of solid axles with semi-elliptic leaf springs, typical of the period.
Historical Significance
The Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 was highly successful in motorsport, including winning the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours race four consecutive times from 1931 to 1934. Figoni et Falaschi were among the most prestigious coachbuilders of the era, and their work on the 8C 2300 highlights their ability to merge performance with luxury and style.
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