In the heart of the Motor Valley, among the hills surrounding Palazzo di Varignana, the third edition of the Concorso d’Eleganza Varignana 1705 confirmed the ambition with which it was created: to be not only a showcase of historic cars, but also a meeting point between heritage, design, hospitality, and cultural dialogue. For three days, 37 vintage cars – built before 1973 and carefully selected – filled the resort lawns, bringing to life a vivid tableau of automotive excellence and refined Italian lifestyle.
Best of Show: an Alfa Romeo masterpiece by Pinin Farina
The highest recognition went to the Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS Berlinetta Pinin Farina (1950) presented by collector Corrado Lopresto. This was an exceptional specimen, originally commissioned by Sicilian nobleman Giovanni San Giorgio Gualtieri, renowned for introducing stylistic solutions such as the twin front headlights: an aesthetic revolution that marked an era. With its graceful lines and 2.4-liter inline six-cylinder engine, the Berlinetta convinced the international jury with its elegance, history, and state of preservation, taking home the Best of Show title.
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The public’s choice: a racing legend
The People’s Choice Award crowned the Ferrari 121 LM (1955) of Elad Shraga, an extremely rare competition car (only four examples built), equipped with a powerful 4.4-liter Lampredi six-cylinder engine delivering 360 hp. The car, which marked key milestones such as its debut at the 1000 km of Buenos Aires and victory at the Giro di Sicilia with Piero Taruffi, thrilled spectators and enthusiasts, also earning the Special Award of the Enzo and Dino Ferrari Racetrack in Imola for its extraordinary historical and sporting value.
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Outlierman, between style and communication
The bond between Outlierman and the Concorso d’Eleganza Varignana 1705 was expressed not only through its presence as official Style Partner, but also through direct involvement in the event’s design and communication. To celebrate the 2025 edition, a commemorative tie and silk scarf were created, expressions of timeless elegance that translate the soul of the concours into style. At the same time, the storytelling of the event was entrusted to the Outlierman internal Creative Agency, specialized in developing storytelling projects and visual content that enhance automotive culture with a distinctive and international perspective. A contribution that made the Concorso experience even more immersive, confirming Outlierman as a benchmark in automotive style and communication.
Class winners
The concours offered a chronological and stylistic journey through different eras of the automobile: below are the winners of each class, as reported in the official release.
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Supercar Class: Lamborghini Miura P400 (1968) — Nicola Sacchetti.
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Vintage Elegance: Bugatti Type 49 (1931) — Silvia Nicolis.
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Postwar Engines: Fiat 8V (1950) — Daniele Ferrua. (The car also received the ASI – Automotoclub Storico Italiano Award, presented by president Alberto Scuro.)
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Italian Refinement: Lancia Aurelia B20 IV Series (1955) — Gianluca Garagnani.
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Jewels of Maranello: Ferrari 330 GTC Speciale (1967) — Brandon Wang. (This car also won the Special Motor Valley Trophy, presented by President Andrea Pontremoli.)
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Aerodynes: Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS Berlinetta Pinin Farina (1950) — Corrado Lopresto.
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Uniform Cars: Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 Targa (1989) — Lorenzo Matteucci.
The classes showcased both pre-war rarities and models that marked the post-war era and the technological evolution of the 20th century, offering a comprehensive and fascinating panorama for both jury and public.
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Special recognitions and institutional awards
Among the special awards, the Chairman’s Award (presented by the president of the Concorso, Massimo Dall’Olmo) was given to the Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS Cabriolet Pinin Farina of Björn Schmidt, a model also celebrated for its cultural history (it is said to have been part of Rita Hayworth’s collection). The selection of special awards further emphasized the dialogue between historical value, rarity, and aesthetic significance that animates the event.
Classic Car Talks: when the concours becomes a forum
The 2025 edition inaugurated the Classic Car Talks, a series of meetings aimed at broadening the discussion on the world of historic cars beyond the lawn exhibition. Organized in collaboration with the Enzo and Dino Ferrari Racetrack in Imola and Azimut Capital Management, the talks addressed current topics: heritage and sustainability (with Augusto Bianchini, University of Bologna), the role of historic cars in contemporary motorsport (with Federico Oliva, Autodromo di Imola), and the financial and investment aspects linked to classics (with Alessandro Bertolini of Azimut). A program that confirmed the concours’ vocation to also be a place of debate and cultural exchange.
The context: Palazzo di Varignana and the event concept
Palazzo di Varignana, with its 30 hectares of park, elegant halls, restaurants, and Spa, once again proved to be the ideal setting for an event that combines passion for cars with a high-level hospitality offering. As Carlo Gherardi, founder of Palazzo di Varignana, declared:
“This event embodies our values of beauty, heritage, and hospitality. We are proud to host an international stage where automotive art is not only preserved, but shared with new generations in an atmosphere that reflects the best of Italian lifestyle.”
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An edition looking ahead
The third edition of the Concorso d’Eleganza Varignana 1705 thus consolidated its role in the European concours calendar, positioning itself as a place where the history of the automobile intertwines with the present — from sustainability to the collector’s market — and where each car is narrated not only for its technical characteristics, but also for its ability to evoke stories and memories.
