As the summer concours season winds down, a final group of dedicated automotive enthusiasts gathered in the heart of Italy’s “Motor Valley” this past weekend to celebrate the inaugural Concorso d’Eleganza Varignana 1705. In the sun-drenched hills just southeast of Bologna, on the lawns of Palazzo di Varignana, a curated group of only 23 cars were showcased amidst a 1,200-acre backdrop of olive trees and vineyards.
The field comprised automobiles built before 1973, and leaned heavily into the histories of local automakers such as Ferrari, Maserati, Fiat, and Alfa Romeo. Surprisingly, only one Porsche—a 964 Speedster skirting the pre-1973 rule—and no Lamborghinis made the cut, though iconic examples from the rest of Europe were also showcased, including those from manufacturers Bizzarrini, Ermini, and HRG.
Adding a new concours to the global calendar further expands the vision of Palazzo di Varignana’s owner, Carlo Gherardi. In 2005, Gherardi began purchasing the expansive property in piecemeal. It’s now home to six private villas (totaling 150 rooms), four restaurants, a spa, a winery, and an olive mill—all catering to oenophiles, gourmands, and vacationers interested in discovering traditional and sustainable production methods for some of Italy’s most renowned fare.
This event, though, was for motoring’s cognoscenti, who were on hand for a day of pageantry, judging, awards, and plenty of prosecco. The six classes included Pre-War Elegance, Heroic Races, Italian Fine Gems, Great Class Sport Car, Grit & Style, and German Icons. From the exclusive assemblage on hand, the following cars were the ones that we couldn’t stop staring at.
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1939/1946 HRG Le Mans
Image Credit: Michael Van Runkle The name of defunct British automaker HRG traces back to the initials of the last names of its three founders, Major Edward Halford, Guy Robins, and Henry Ronald Godfrey. Established in 1936, HRG proved successful in period motor racing thanks to lightweight, aerodynamic designs—including this one-off Le Mans race car powered by a 1,500 cc Singer engine.
The example was originally built in 1939, but was given a body developed for racing at Le Mans in 1946. The HRG, wearing 2015 Mille Miglia roundels, looked unlike anything else on the lawns of Palazzo di Varignana, but ended up only second in class behind a Maserati Tipo 26.
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1950 Fiat 1100 E Vistotal
Image Credit: Michael Van Runkle This elegant Fiat roadster features rare front glass without side supports or surrounds of any kind. The design was patented in 1935 by Frenchman Jean Henri-Labourdette for the purpose of increasing visibility, and the thick windshield glass is matched by transparent plexiglass used for the steering wheel and door handles.
This Fiat now resides in the Museo Nicolis of Verona, whose president brought the car to Varignana to enter it in the premiere edition of the concours. The vehicle now heads home with a first prize in the Italian Fine Gems class.
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1951 Fiat 750 GT MM Zagato
Image Credit: Michael Van Runkle According to its owner, this Fiat is likely the only 750 GT MM Zagato finished originally in this two-tone paint job, which helped attract enough attention to earn a second-place finish in the Italian Fine Gems class. Despite wearing tires about as wide as those on a motorcycle, the car can apparently hit up to around 80 mph, and is reported to have easily maintained close to 70 mph during this year’s running of the historic Mille Miglia—all with windows that do not roll down, meaning the car’s interior regularly got up to a scorching 122 degrees (Fahrenheit) throughout the rally’s long stages.
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1952 Ermini 1100 Sport Internazionale
Image Credit: Michael Van Runkle The owner of this exceedingly rare Ermini 1100 Sport Internazionale bought the car in 1969, when he was just 27 years old. At the time, carmakers in Italy often pulled parts together piecemeal to create competition models, though it’s believed this Ermini is one of three built in similar spec (though that central headlight certainly stands out from the trio).
In addition to racing in the historic Mille Miglia almost every year of the past decade, this example is believed to have been entered in the 1952 Targa Florio and the 1953 Coppa d’Oro delle Dolomiti. The 1,096 cc four-cylinder engine would have been rated at 88 hp when new, plenty for a car that weighs just under 1,200 pounds dry. As the 80-year-old owner’s own racing days are most likely over, he plans to open a museum for his collection, and this tiny Ermini will undoubtedly be a highlight.
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1955 Lancia Aurelia B24 Spider
Image Credit: Michael Van Runkle The best automotive shapes always look fast while standing still, and this 1955 Lancia stands out even among some of the industry’s most groundbreaking designs. Despite having a removable rooftop, the Aurelia features flowing lines that somehow always direct forward, from the narrow front grille—reminiscent of Lancia’s signature V-shaped engines—to the hood scoop, windshield, and sensuous rear-fender flares.
This car in particular emphasizes the Aurelia B24 Spider’s charm with split chrome front bumpers. It’s also one of only 59 examples of the model built for right-hand-drive markets, even fewer of which were given its removable hardtop roof—all of which helped this Lancia take home first in the Grit & Style class.
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1965 Ferrari 275 GTB/2 Short Nose
Image Credit: Michael Van Runkle Ferrari always dominates the conversation at any concours, though this Short Nose version of the iconic 275 GTB stood out at Varignana thanks to the sportier front profile highlighted by a rare Verde Pino (pine green) color scheme over a red interior. Under the same family stewardship since 1997, it has received a full restoration that included rebuilding the numbers-matching 3.3-liter V-12 engine.
Fortunately, nothing important was missing, including the now-unobtanium Ansa exhaust system. At first, potentially repainting the sheet metal in Rosso Corsa entered the conversation, though now the family is happy that the original color sets this example apart from other immaculately restored show cars. At Varignana, this Short Nose finished second in its class behind a silver Ferrari 250 GT.
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1965 Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada
Image Credit: Michael Van Runkle At the concours, this Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada made its first public appearance since 1969, after the current owner worked for two decades trying to purchase the vehicle from a private collection. A restoration was undertaken in 1984 using factory original parts. Estimates place the total number of 5300 GT Stradas at around 20 built for racing, as well as 90 for public sale.
The race-car versions received revised bodywork plus different transmissions and axles compared to their road-going counterparts. A de Dion tube rear suspension and three fuel tanks—with a total capacity of about 40 gallons—contribute to a perfect 50:50 weight distribution with a driver in the cockpit. At the 1966 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, this car reportedly reached 190.1 mph. In 1967 and ‘68, it was entered in various Italian hill-climb competitions that dictated the installation of shorter gear ratios, so top speed now maxes out at about 115 mph.
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Best of Show: 1939 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 S Berlinetta Touring
Image Credit: Michael Van Runkle Alfa Romeo debuted the 6C in Berlinetta Superleggera form at the 1939 Berlin Motor Show—a model with a sensuous new design highlighted by aluminum bodywork with metal tube supports to help keep the weight down. This example was sold new to Prince Camillo Caetani, whose family kept the car for 10 years before it eventually wound up in the Bulgari collection in 1975. The current owner acquired it 20 years ago and decided against a restoration, instead retaining the dignity of patina on the original paint, period-perfect trim, and even the leather that was specifically ordered for the Prince himself.
Nifty details include leather straps in the front seatbacks to adjust lumbar support during long road trips—a feature worthy of a true grand tourer—as well as flag-style turn signals that pop out from the sides of the car. It’s no surprise that, with its beauty and provenance, this 6C won the Pre-War Elegance class and was later named the overall Best of Show.