Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2009: double toast on 80th anniversary.

Munich/Geneva. The Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este drew visitors to
Lake Como for the first time 80 years ago. For ten years now, BMW has
organised the Concorso jointly with the Grand Hotel Villa d'Este luxury
hotel. The longstanding tradition of this automotive beauty contest
continues this year when, from 24 to 26 April 2009, a select range of
classic cars will converge on the shores of Lake Como and be submitted
to a vote by the public and a jury. At this anniversary Concorso, the
BMW Group will itself be celebrating a rather special birthday: it was
80 years ago that BMW produced its very first automobile. "The
past 80 years have shown the high status that BMW accords to design and
style. The same applies to the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este. And
that is not least of all why are a perfect fit," says Karl Baumer,
Director of BMW Group Classic and Chairman of the Concorso. Jean-Marc
Droulers, President of Villa d'Este S.p.A., is of the same accord:
"The success story of this event in recent years not only shows
how well we work together but also reflects our sheer enjoyment in
hosting such an extraordinary occasion." 80 years of the
blue-and-white logo When BMW looks back on its 80-year tradition of car
manufacturing at this year's Concorso, visitors can expect to set eyes
on some stunning beauties on wheels. Among the models on show will be a
BMW 303, the first Bavarian car to sport the kidney-shaped radiator
grille, and an example of the BMW 502, which entered the motoring
history books as the so-called "baroque angel". Models dating
back to the 1960s, such as the BMW 2002, and the cars that established
the BMW model series in the 1970s will also rank among the exhibits. As
a special highlight, BMW will be presenting all its legendary roadsters
of the last 75 years: from the 315/1 and 319/1 to the 328 and 507, all
the way to the Z1, Z3 and Z8 - plus the latest addition to the family,
the new BMW Z4. Once again, more than 50 classic beauties spanning six
decades of motoring history have been selected to appear at the
Concorso d'Eleganza. Urs Paul Ramseier, as the Selecting Adviser
responsible for the line-up of cars participating in the Concorso
d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, provided a few tasters from this choice field
of entrants in Geneva. Bugatti Atlantic 57SC, 1938 The car from the
Bugatti fold that claimed the highest production run and the greatest
economic success was the T 57. This model was the only Bugatti to go
into series production before the war. One of the most spectacular
designs to be based on the T 57 was the Atlantic, of which just three
units were produced. Its crouched stance, the vertical, riveted ribs
that ran horizontally along the bodywork and its teardrop-shaped side
windows gave this model a unique appearance that raised it to one of
the icons of motoring history. With the Bugatti Atlantic 57SC, the
Concorso presents one of the true legends of the automotive past. The
design hails from Jean Bugatti, the son of Ettore Bugatti. Gracing the
Concorso will be the last of the three units built. The original owner
kept the car until 1967. After changing hands several times, the
Atlantic was bought in 1988 by Ralph Lauren, who commissioned Paul
Russel with its complete restoration. The car will be making its first
European appearance in 18 years at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este
2009. Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B, Berlinetta, 1938 The Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B
was unveiled in 1935 as the successor to the 8C 2300, in its time one
of the world's fastest automobiles. A total of just six examples of
this closed car - known as the Berlinetta - were manufactured. The
model ranks as one of the most elegant vehicles to emerge before the
Second World War. In September 1947, the example being shown at the
Concorso emigrated from Italy via Switzerland to the USA. After being
sold to a buyer in South Africa in 1980, the car - now with red
paintwork - was restored in England and repainted in its original blue.
In 2005 Jon Shirley acquired the Alfa Romeo and had it restored to its
original condition. For the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2009, the
Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B will be parked on Italian soil again for the first
time since 1947. Momo Mirage, 2 + 2 Coupé, 1972 Peter S.
Kalikow visited the New York Auto Show in 1957 and became an instant
fan of European cars. This passion led him to Alfred Momo of the New
York Jaguar Garage, and a close friendship was to ensue. With Momo he
drove to Italy, where he met all the key personalities of the car
world, including Enzo Ferrari, Sergio Pininfarina, the Orsis and the
Maserati family. Kalikow sought Momo's opinion before deciding whether
to order a new Aston Martin DBS in 1967. What emerged was the happy
idea of designing a sports car of their own. Against the advice of his
family, Kalikow decided to build a four-seater GT for the American
market to fill the gap between the spirited Ferrari and the luxurious
and comfortable Rolls-Royce. In Pietro Frua he quickly found a designer
and coachbuilder. The original plan to turn out 25 vehicles a year fell
victim to high production costs and an ailing economic environment. And
so just five cars were built, three of which remained in Peter S.
Kalikow's ownership. BMW 2800 Spicup, Coupé, 1969 This concept
car was first unveiled before the public at the Geneva Motor Show 40
years ago. Combining beauty with excitement - that phrase might well sum
up the idea behind this concept: an open car that could be turned into
a coupé. And that also explains its name, a contraction of
Spider and Coupe. The front end was designed in textbook Bertone style
while accommodating the hallmark BMW kidney grille. The car's form also
harked back to the timeless beauty of Albrecht Goertz' BMW 507. A BMW
2500 curtailed from 269 cm to 234 cm in length served as the chassis,
while the engine came from the BMW 2800. The BMW 2800 Spicup was
discovered in Holland last year and underwent total restoration. 40
years after its premiere, Roland d'Ieteren brings the car to the
Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2009 to appear before the public for
the first time following its restoration Concorso d'Eleganza Villa
d'Este 2009 Over the weekend of 24 - 26 April 2009, the glorious grounds
of the Grand Hotel Villa d'Este and Villa Erba in Cernobbio on Lake
Como will once again be transformed into a unique backdrop for the most
beautiful cars from past eras and the boldest concept cars of the
present. First staged in 1929 at the same location, the Concorso
d'Eleganza Villa d'Este now ranks as the world's most tradition-rich
event of its kind. Following the first part of the event for invited
guests on Saturday, Sunday sees the Concorso open up to the public in
the neighbouring grounds of Villa Erba, allowing all car fans another
opportunity to experience these four-wheeled dreams close up. In
addition to the automobiles already presented on the previous day,
numerous other high-calibre classics will be on display in special
shows. Admission to Villa Erba in Cernobbio on Lake Como is 12.50 euros
and 8 euros (concessions). The main sponsor of this year's Concorso
d'Eleganza is Girard-Perregaux. Visitors can find out further details
about the event at www.concorsodeleganzavilladeste.com