Latest news with #Concours
Motor Trend
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- Motor Trend
9 Perfect Tens from the 2025 Concorso d'Eleganze Villa d'Este
There are no shortage of Concours events worldwide, with more popping up every year. But while each event aspires to create an air of prestige and heritage, few hold a candle to the Concorso d'Eleganze Villa d'Este. 0:00 / 0:00 This grand gathering at a grand hotel on the shore of Italy's famous Lake Como dates back to 1929. Each year, just a handful of ultra-exotic autos are selected for inclusion. Fewer than 60 cars made an appearance in 2025, ranging from pre-war Grand Prix machines to modern Le Mans competitors. If that weren't enough, a few 2026 models made their global debut, too. Each car was amazing in its own way, but here are nine cars that really caught our eye at Villa d'Este -- plus one from a neighboring event that we couldn't resist including. 1996 McLaren F1 GTR A McLaren F1 is hard to ignore in any context. They stand out even among this pool of astonishing machines. It was a road-going McLaren F1 that won last year's Coppa d'Oro award. This year, it was a track-ready machine that turned heads. This 1996 McLaren F1 GTR is one of just 26. It campaigned in various GT races across Europe before being decommissioned and, interestingly, adopted by Mercedes-Benz to use as a test platform for the company's own GTR, the CLK. Later, its 12-cylinder BMW heart returned, and this F1 got a fresh coat of the papaya paint you see here. 1995 Ferrari F40 GTE The F1 GTR wasn't the only '90s icon of GT racing on display. Right next door was this epic F40 GTE, a race-tuned version of one of the greatest Ferraris ever. Though the F40 was introduced in the late '80s, it wasn't until the '90s that race-tuned versions started to appear, culminating in the GTE. The F40 already rolls on a racy tube-frame chassis wrapped in carbon fiber bodywork, but the GTE manages to shed a further 300 pounds and boasts 720 hp from the 3.6-liter, twin-turbo V-8 with carbon brakes to match. Only six GTEs were created. 1957 BMW 507 There were several BMW 507s on display at this year's event, including a luscious yellow model serving as opening-night decor on the Villa d'Este grounds, plus another that went to auction with a €1,900,000 asking price. The 507 that really caught our eye, though, was this gorgeous Feather White over red model that looked stunning sitting on the lawn. The massive block-lettered tachometer and speedometer are a real highlight on the inside, while the chrome on the outside adds a little flare to the otherwise pale proceedings. This car proved a crowd favorite, taking home this year's attendee-voted Coppa d'Oro. 1967 Bizzarrini Europa 1900 GT If you're picking up some Ferrari vibes from this tangerine '60 grand tourer, that's because there's a shared lineage here. Giotto Bizzarrini was a former Ferrari engineer, having a hand in the epic 250 GTO before starting his own company. There's more than a little Opel GT in here, too, with that car providing much of the mechanicals under this sculpted body. Fewer than 20 Europa 1900 GTs were produced, but none can match this one's provenance; it was Bizzarrini's own. 1967 OSI Silver Fox That Bizzarrini is rare, but this car is unique. It's called the Silver Fox, a one-of-one prototype developed in the late 1960s by Italian coachbuilder OSI. The twin-hull design, reminiscent of a P-38 Lightning or a catamaran, was designed to minimize the car's forward aerodynamic profile, while also adding lateral stability. In concept, that's not unlike the Nissan DeltaWing. The two halves of the chassis are connected by three wing-like structures, two of which can be adjusted to modify the car's downforce. It's one of those cars that just gets more wild looking the closer you look at it. Crouch down from behind, peek through the rear plexiglass, and you can see the Fox's gauge cluster in the center of a dashboard that spans from one cockpit to the next. A 1.0-liter Renault engine was chosen for its dimensions rather than its power, so the Silver Fox was never going to be a speed demon, but sadly, OSI went bust before this first example had even finished testing. 1980 Lamborghini Countach Safety Car Stepping away from the Concorso d'Eleganze for just a minute to include a highlight from the Fuori Concorso, a newer event with an interesting medley of racing machines taking place just down the road. Everyone in town was talking about this epic Countach, which served as the pace car during the Monaco Grand Prix in the early '80s. Coincidentally, the 2025 running of that same event was taking place just a few hundred miles down south on the Mediterranean coast. 1937 Rolls-Royce Phantom III Another car not officially taking part in the Concours but one that captured the eye of everyone wandering the grounds at Villa d'Este was this 1937 Phantom III. Most James Bond fans can clock the significance of this car from a mile away, but the AU1 plate is a strong clue for the rest. It's the machine in which the nefarious Goldfinger, driven by his henchman Oddjob. It was on display to highlight Rolls-Royce's modern reinterpretation built on the current Phantom, painted the same shade of pale yellow but, sadly, minus those generous white sidewalls. 2026 BMW Concept Speedtop BMW unveiled three new models at this year's Concours, the Motorrad Concept RR superbike, the 2026 BMW M2 CS, and the Concept Speedtop. Like last year's Skytop, the Speedtop is an in-house, coach-built machine created from the bones of an 8 Series. That includes that machine's long shape and generous power from a twin-turbo V-8. But no 8 Series offers this degree of style, nor that shooting brake silhouette. Bespoke luggage slots in where the token rear seats are typically found on the 8 Series, while a brogued band of leather runs the circumference of the two-tone interior. Though a concept, BMW promises to build 70 of the things. 1956 Aston Martin DB3S One of the most iconic and successful British racers of all time, the DB3S was one of the first machines to bring Aston Martin to the fore of the world's biggest racing competitions, a position it still enjoys. This is chassis number 9 of just 11 factory cars, the Sterling Moss-piloted machine that finished second in the 1956 24 Hours of Le Mans. It doesn't get much more iconic than the glimmering British Racing Green with the giant, hand-painted 8 on the hood. 1934 Alfa Romeo Tipo B Before the Ferrari we know of today, there was Scuderia Ferrari, Enzo's team running using Alfa Romeo machines. This is really where the legacy begins. The Tipo B dominated Grand Prix racing for years, quickly establishing the prancing horse as a force to be reckoned with. This car, a multiple grand prix winner, is powered by a twin-supercharged eight-cylinder tucked inside of a nose that seems to go on for miles. As evidenced by the numerous stickers from the Goodwood Festival of Speed and other events, this car is still racing today, and it was the rightful winner of the 2025 Concorso d'Eleganze Villa d'Este Best of Show.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Shelby Cobra 427 to Celebrate 60 Years of Performance at Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
Lineage from First Production Cobra to Last 427 Will Be Exhibited PEBBLE BEACH, Calif., May 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- One of the most intimidating cars of its era, the Shelby Cobra 427, marks its 60th anniversary this year. Named for the 427-cubic-inch Ford engine that powered it to dominate SCCA racing and set a performance benchmark that stood for years, the "big block Cobra" earned iconic status from the day it was introduced. To celebrate this anniversary, a Shelby Cobra class will take to the show field at this year's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance on August 17. "Carroll had a strong personal connection to Pebble Beach, racing and winning here in the 1950s and later sharing his cars at the Concours, so we are honored to feature his Cobras this year," said Concours Chairman Sandra Button. "The design, performance, and historic wins of these iconic race cars highlight the legendary pairing of Carroll and Shelby American with AC Cars and Ford Motor Company." Carroll Shelby, an automotive legend, is popularly known for his groundbreaking work with high-performance sports cars, such as the Le Mans-winning Ford GT40, but he first made his mark as a race driver, winning numerous races, including the last Pebble Beach Road Race, triumphing at Le Mans and competing in Formula 1. The Shelby Cobra came into being in 1962, pairing an AC Ace chassis with a Ford 260-cubic-inch V8 that was replaced by the larger 289 engine. The ultimate iteration, the Shelby Cobra 427 — with a new chassis, coil suspension, and powerful 427-cubic-inch engine — was introduced in 1965. "Ford's 'Total Performance' era of the 1960s was epic, equaled only today with the company's global motorsport program," stated Edsel B. Ford II. "Carroll Shelby was vital to our dominance in the sixties and his 427 Cobra put an exclamation point on that success! I am delighted that these iconic cars will be celebrated on this anniversary year." Four versions of the 427 Cobra were produced and will be showcased — "Comp" (competition), S/C (semi-competition), Street and Narrow Hip — in addition to the first and last production Cobras. "The Shelby Cobra remains an automotive icon even 60 years after its introduction," said Aaron Shelby, grandson of Carroll Shelby and board member of Carroll Shelby International. "Few cars have achieved the fame and staying power of the Shelby Cobra. Not only does it represent performance, this sportscar represents American ingenuity! Simple but effective, it was created with grit and determination." The Pebble Beach Concours will also marque the 75th anniversary of Formula 1, the centennials of Chrysler, Invicta, Moretti and the Rolls-Royce Phantom and will celebrate the creations of Virgil Exner. For tickets or information, go to View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
‘Delicious': Car enthusiasts enjoy The Amelia ahead of Saturday's moved-up Concours d'Elegance
The Amelia Concours d'Elegance draws thousands of car enthusiasts from all around the country. But Sunday's threat of rainstorms has the event shifting gears. Because of Sunday's rainy forecast, the Amelia Concours d'Elegance shifted the Sunday show by a day. 'With Sunday looking a little risky with thunderstorms and things of that nature, it's not the best environment, so we decided to move the Concours to Saturday,' said Art Cervantes, Director of Events. READ: Inclement weather forecast moves The Amelia Concours d'Elegance up a day to Saturday Multi-million dollar cars dotted the green Friday for a garden party on the lawn of Amelia Island's Ritz-Carlton. For Stefan Medarev, test driving a Maserati is a sensory experience. 'It's delicious. Absolutely delicious,' Medarev said. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] The event features over 200 vehicles, from the last 100 years to now. 'And look at it now, it's one of the best shows in the country and one of the best places in the world. It's awesome,' Medarev said. Last year's attendance was a record-breaking 27,000 people, Cervantes said. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] That number includes Medarev, who hasn't missed an event since it started 30 years ago. 'It's grown so much here after year. It's absolutely been spectacular,' Medarev said. If you have a Sunday ticket, those tickets will still be honored on Saturday. Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
The Amelia at 30: Why the annual car classic is important to Northeast Florida
Engines are revving and the show is about to begin at Amelia Island — the car show that is. The Amelia Concours d`Elegance is a "week of captivating motorsport and luxury lifestyle experiences," said Matt Orendac, vice chairman of The Amelia. About 500,000 spectators have attended the driving opportunities, auctions, culinary and entertainment experiences at Amelia Island for its annual concours event over the last 30 years. Enthusiasts and organizers are expecting a high turnout and fun times for The Amelia's 30th anniversary this weekend. Ordenac spoke in detail about plans for this year's event and what its past 30 years of contributions to Northeast Florida's culture have been like. "The world is just crazy about cars, motorsports and design," Ordenac said. "There's just no better time or place to kick off the 'concours' car show season than Northeast Florida. The show really puts spectators elbow-to-elbow with the racers they love, the cars they dream of and thousands of fellow enthusiasts." This includes vintage race cars on display and at auction. Not to mention the fact that The Amelia's yearly honorees are all motorsport legends. "The Amelia has always been considered 'The Racer's Concours.' The event's connection to the world of motorsport has always been at the core of all we do," he said. More March fun: Players, Monster Jam, Concours, Florida Games and more to do in March around Jacksonville Last year, over 27,000 enthusiasts from around the world attended The Amelia festivities, setting a record for the event. Guests come from over 12 countries and 30 states. "The Amelia has had a lasting impact on the community over the past three decades in many ways, including charitable contributions totaling more than $4 million," Orendac said. "Last year alone, The Amelia pledged $150,000 to local nonprofits, including Spina Bifida of Jacksonville, local 'Shop with Cops' programs and Community Hospice and Palliative Care." The impact can be felt through the community and camaraderie that has grown annually, he added. It also results in an annual economic impact of around $8.7 million. This year's honoree is Hélio Castroneves, four-time Indy 500 champion, who also recently raced in the Daytona 500. Helio will be at The Amelia alongside some of the most important cars from his career. The impact of the event also can be measured by the cars sold during the classic car auctions that take place, Ordenac said. Last year, the March classic car auctions in Florida set a record total of $183.8 million. Hagerty's Broad Arrow auction at the Ritz-Carlton sold more than $63 million. The economic impact of the event is widespread. "Every truly great concours is defined by a perfect season and setting," Ordenac said. "Early Spring on Amelia Island is a beautiful time of year for car enthusiasts to join us, shake off the winter and enjoy the setting and hospitality at the Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island." "The event has grown over the years, bringing enthusiasts from around the world to experience the beauty of Amelia Island and Northeast Florida," he said. Ordenac also noted younger collectors and enthusiasts have been joining the event. "This reflects what we are also seeing in the overall collector car market, as 1980s and 1990s vehicles become more sought after as collectors who grew up with those vehicles begin to purchase the classics they love," he said. "To this end, RADwood continues to be a highlight at The Amelia." RADwood is a "celebration of the '80s and '90s automotive lifestyle, a car show that blends period dress with automotive awesomeness,' according to Ordenac. RADwood at The Amelia takes place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at The Golf Club of Amelia Island as part of the Saturday 'Cars & Community powered by Mobil 1 Classic Car Oil' event. Actor, race car driver and producer Patrick Dempsey is set to attend a 7 p.m. Friday screening of his docuseries "Back on Track," which will be followed by a Q&A with Justin Bell, racer Patrick Long and film producer Bobby Akin. The new immersive culinary experience, Reverie, also will kick off this year. Reverie will feature exclusive, automotive-themed culinary pairings developed by Chef Zane Nesbit, Ritz-Carlton executive sous chef, and immersive entertainment on Thursday. Tickets for all events are available at This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: The Amelia: What you should know about 2025 Concours d'Elegance
