Heiko Seekamp, German entrepreneur and classic-car enthusiast, is an evergreen figure at the Concorso d Eleganza Villa d Este.

Transcription

1

2 Classic news An exciting weekend awaited guests and participants at this year s Concorso d Eleganza Villa d Este. Apart from the display of the beautiful and valuable automobiles, motorcycles from several decades were presented for the scrutiny of the Jury and the admiration of the public visitors for the first time. An exclusive auction of classics also celebrated its premiere. Max Bauer Early on Sunday at 4 in the morning. Caroline takes off her shoes and massages her aching feet. Her eyelids are heavy, and dark rings are showing through her make-up. Her adrenalin level has gone through the floor but she s completely relaxed and is being overcome by an incredible tiredness. There s never more than a few hours of sleep to be snatched before and during the Concorso. Dr. Caroline Schulenburg is organising the Concorso d Eleganza Villa d Este for the BMW Group she has been doing this job for the past four years and 2011 is the last time. Ultimately, you end up feeling good, because the event weekend as in the previous years makes up for all the hassle and pressure in advance. Three days before. Not much is ready yet in the Villa Erba and this venue is expecting a veritable storm of visitors at the public day on Sunday. Not only that, but this is the first time that a public Concorso with historic motorcycles has additionally been held on the Saturday. Meanwhile, the red Concorso flags are being hoisted at the Villa d Este a few hundred metres further on, in the picturesque little town of Cernobbio. This is now the sprint to the finish because the first guests will shortly be arriving and they will be accompanied by the stars of the weekend: the participants in the Concorso. The competing vehicles are converging on Lake Como from all over the world, coming by plane, on transporters, or even under their own steam. When they arrive, the first item on their agenda is to go through the FIVA check. Are the documents complete? Is the vehicle in proper order? If FIVA Steward George Ioannides gives the okay, the cars are driven into the underground garage of the hotel. There you will find a Rolls-Royce from the 1930s quartered with a Ferrari that is 30 years younger, and a contemporary Mercedes-Benz study concentrated automobile splendour in the sober setting of the garage. Old acquaintances greet each other before they come together for the BMW Group Cocktail party on the Friday evening. This is where the BMW 328 Hommage Car (page 36) is to be presented. A little chit-chat here, a short handshake there. Gary is one of the American participants and he commented that the Concorso was very much like a family gathering, a meeting of old acquaintances. Gary keeps coming back to the Concorso year after year. You get to know the other owners and collectors of the cars and it s always exciting to see who comes along and what they bring with them. The staff and participants rose early on the Saturday morning. The lake was like a highly polished mirror, the sky is bright blue. Not a cloud in sight and no sign of rain. A little dew still clings to the beautifully manicured lawn stretched out in front of the Italian mansion where the gorgeous belles will soon be assembling. The first car rolls out of the underground garage, followed by a second. This is followed by the Maserati 63 Birdcage. The engine is still cold as it comes into the courtyard of the hotel and it sputters to a halt. The owner turns the ignition again and the engine comes to life haltingly. He puts the gear in neutral and floors the pedal to hurl petrol into the engine. The impressive twin exhaust roars into life. It s 8.30 a.m., and all the other hotel guests must surely be awake by now. The Saturday morning is an important time and there s a lot going on. While the Jury members under the chairmanship of Chief Designer for the Fiat Group Lorenzo Ramaciotti inspect the cars, the owners clean and polish their vehicles until the very last speck of dust has been banished. Despite the advanced age of most ve-

3 Heiko Seekamp, German entrepreneur and classic-car enthusiast, is an evergreen figure at the Concorso d Eleganza Villa d Este. BCL: The Concorso and you a never-ending story? Seekamp: That s about it. I came here for the first time about 25 years ago. Since BMW took the helm, I ve been to ten of the 11 Concorsos. But I m not the only one. Lots of collectors keep coming together and meeting here. It s rather like a group of friends meeting up. 4 It doesn t come more original: Heiko Seekamp s Mercedes-Benz 300 SL from What is the difference between the Concorso and other events of this type? Seekamp: At other events, for example in the USA, you need to have deep pockets full of money. Companies provide big-time sponsoring. hicles, they generally looked as though they had just come out of the factory. Ladies and Gentlemen, summoned the loudspeakers after the midday meal. Simon Kidston introduced the afternoon. The elegant Briton and first-class connoisseur of the classic-car scene has been the voice of the Concorso for many years. He is calling the participants to their vehicles because the action of the afternoon is about to start. Rapturous applause and cries of bravo, bravo accompany the parade. One motoring gem after another is presented to the strict inspection of the Jury, inquisitive eyes of several hundred entranced spectators and the countless cameras against the painterly mountain backdrop on the shores of Lake Como. The engines hum, roar, or like the electric drive of the Rolls-Royce 102 EX don t make any noise at all. The fantastic weather holds for three hours. Then shortly before the end of the parade, the heavens open and a veritable cloudburst turns the lakeside panorama into a spectacle that could hardly have been made more impressive by the famous German romantic painter Caspar David Friedrich. The downpour only disturbs the spectators for a short time. They crowd together and find room to shelter on the covered terrace of the Grand Hotel. After all, nobody wants to miss looking into the future as the parade of concept cars files past. Armed with an umbrella, Kidston continues with the programme, although he has had to temporarily interrupt proceedings. Not all concept cars and prototypes are protected against the weather and some have to remain sheltered in the underground garage. Once again this year, the organisers were spoilt for choice. They had to make an exclusive selection of automobile highlights spanning five decades from around 250 registrations. Aristocratic saloons, elegant coupés, modern mid-range cars and small sports cars were divided into eight categories, such as Open Sky and The Birth of the Supercar. The Swinging Sixties Style was the Fantastic backdrop: the concept cars and prototypes against the panorama of lake and mountains. Animated conversation: Karl Baumer, Director of BMW Group Classic, talking to actress Christina Hendricks and her companion. Dr. Ralf Rodepeter, Head of Marketing at BMW Group Classic, presents the prize for the class victory of the BMW 2000 CS They set up massive pavilions and the crowds flock through them. The Concorso is different. It s organised on a commercial footing but with an understated approach. The event is somewhat elitist, much more elegant after all it s Italian. BMW and Mr. Baumer (Head of BMW Group Classic) have struck the right balance. Mr. Baumer has also instituted a number of changes Seekamp: An event like this is also powered by changes. But they shouldn t be too extreme. After all, the Concorso has a long tradition. For example, this year was based on the concept of 1960s. That way we had fewer pre-war models and more younger owners. That is a good development. This was the first year that we saw motorcycles at the event. Was that also a good development? Seekamp: The engineering of motorcycles is absolutely fascinating and they may attract new groups of visitors. I would also show motorcycles at the Villa d Este (currently they are presented in parallel with the parade of cars at the Villa Erba on the Saturday), perhaps before the cars. And naturally they ought to be driven. This year you won the FIVA Prize for the best unrestored automobile. How important are awards at the Concorso? Seekamp: Prizes are great when you ve won one. I m very proud of this year s prize. As far as I m concerned, the Jury sometimes puts too much emphasis on assessing the condition rather than the level of originality of the car. Everything about this Mercedes is original and it s been maintained in absolutely mint condition. Not only does it have the original paintwork, it also has the original tyres that were put on 50 years ago. Do you participate every year with a different vehicle? Seekamp: I have been here twice with the BMW 507 and I m coming again next year with the 507. The fact is that there was a gap this year. 5 Concorso speaker Simon Kidston and the BMW 328 Hommage on the red carpet. 6 Electrically powered and with gender-specific seats: the Renault Study DeZir from

4 8 9 Classic news Gary W. Bartlett came to Lake Como for the first time 25 years ago. He was on holiday. In 2007, he entered his first classic car in the competition. Since then he has been a regular guest at the Concorso d Eleganza Villa d Este. BCL: What is it about the Concorso that gives it special flair? Bartlett: For me, there are three major Concorsos in the world: Amelia Island in Florida, Pebble Beach, and the Villa d Este. Out of these three, I like the one here best. The location must be one of the most beautiful in the world, the service is exceptional, and the hotel is also wonderful. The entire event is very personal and intimate, and the size means you can easily get around the event. Only 50 classic cars are selected and the selection is always outstanding. The Grand Tour, motorcycles and an auction what do you think about the changes? Bartlett: I don t believe that they are changing the character of the event. Quite the contrary, they enrich it. The success of the auction demonstrates this. The Grand Tour was a very special highlight as far I m concerned. A stroke of genius to link the Concorso with an excursion through one of the most beautiful areas of Italy. This was great and I m definitely going to take part again next year. How important is winning at the Concorso? Bartlett: Naturally it s important. But a bigger hurdle is actually being there in the first place. That is already a great honour, when our vehicle is accepted. 7 Simply outstanding: the red Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale from 1968 received the award Best of Show, shown here spotlit among the class winners. motto of this year s Concorso and constituted a particular highlight. The field is completed by nine concept cars and prototypes. The participants were as varied as the categories. The field of classic cars included cars that would have cost a fortune even in their time, as well as real bargains. The purchase price for the silver-coloured Roadster SS 100 Jaguar with start number 32 was just 445 British pounds in the year There were also some very high-powered models. A couple of engine highlights were paraded in the category Colours and speed post-war sports cars. First came a Ford GT MKII Coupé with a roaring 7 litre engine, and this was followed directly by a low-engined Abarth 1300 OT powered by a 1.3 litre engine. Incidentally, the golden Ford in Swiss ownership was awarded the Trofeo Auto & Design for the most exciting design. The first car in the parade a Rolls-Royce Phantom II Special Town Car was the most expensive car sold in the year It was awarded two of the prestigious trophies the Trofeo FIVA for the best maintained pre-war automobile and the Trofeo Rolls- Royce, the Jury s prize for the most elegant Rolls-Royce. The prizes on Saturday were presented by Christina Hendricks. The American actor, famous as Joan Holloway in the TV series Mad Men, was the guest of honour at the Concorso this year. However, the motor-car guests also included film divas among their numbers, for example an Aston Martin DB5, the ultimate business car used by James Bond. The car was presented at the Concorso in a rare convertible version manufactured in A Lancia Aurelia B24 S America Spider with the start number 44 was equally prestigious. The film classic And God created Woman featured this model transporting the car and Brigitte Bardot to international fame and success. The Sunday simply appeared to be intent on copying the Saturday. The visitors were welcomed by bright sunshine and temperatures around 25 degrees at the Public Day in the Villa Erba. Four queues of people built up extending onto the road until shortly before midday. The view of automobile gems and motorcycles was well worth the wait. Cameras, mobile phones and videocameras captured magic moments and clicked continuously as they took shots of the wonderful scenes. Every detail was inspected, discussed, and naturally photographed. Friedrich and Konstantin came from Münster and found some shade under one of the enormous plane trees. Friedrich was there for the second time and he was absolutely entranced. Naturally, he used his study trip to pause for a while on the shores of Lake Como. Marco and Maria are in a hurry. They have come from Milan and want to take a close look at all the automobile works of art. Just like the couple, lots of couples and families took the opportunity of a day trip to admire the automobile treasures presented against this wonderful panorama of lake and mountains. Lots of visitors also flocked to the Rotunda. Although the temperatures inside this circular exhibition hall were cooler, the BMW Group brands were particularly successful in exciting the Italian visitors. BMW showed three BMW 328 sports cars in a livery with the Italian national colours of red, white and green to celebrate the landmark 75th anniversary. The trio was surrounded by BMW models from the 1960s, the designer MINIs of David Bowie, Madonna and many others, and a selection of Rolls-Royces. In the early afternoon, the first of the classic cars moved off from its position on the field. Simon Kidston announced the parade again Critical looks: the distinguished, eightstrong Jury did not find the decisions easy. Delighted: series winner Corrado Lopresto, owner of the Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS, with his daughters, trophies and dog. Fashionable: participants and guests of the Concorso match the elegant environment of the Villa d Este.

5 Classic news Gopal and Abelash from India BCL: You come from India. Did you come here especially for the event? Gopal (laughing): That would be rather a long way. We are designers and we re doing a work placement in Italy. We were lucky because the Concorso is being held while we re here. We have been very much looking forward to the event. Premiere on two wheels What s your impression of the event? Abelash: The atmosphere is simply amazing and impressive. We have been reading a lot about the Concorso. When you actually go to the event, the experience surpasses all your wildest expectations, particularly the classic cars like this golden Ford GT here. We were also at the RM Auction on Saturday evening. It was very exciting to follow an auction like this. 11 Magnet for the public: thousands of people come to the Concorso and queues are already forming at the entrance early in the morning. Hundreds of visitors followed the parade of the gladiators along the gravel pathways and on the grandstand. As on the previous day, applause broke out time and again, the owners and drivers waved enthusiastically from their windows and the cars sounded a greeting with the roar of their engines. The wind whipped up just before the end of the parade and a wild storm looked as though it was brewing. It looked very much as though the weather conditions on Saturday were about to be repeated. But not quite. The gods looked on benevolently and only a few drops came down. And then the tension started to mount because the public prizes were about to be awarded. The fiery red Aston Martin V12 Zagato harking back to the DB4GT Zagato from 1960 was awarded the Concorso d Eleganza Design Award for Concept Cars & Prototypes. The Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale manufactured in 1968 received the Trofeo BMW Group Italia, the public prize of the Villa 12 Erba. The last prize-winner was driven by a familiar figure. The Coppa d Oro Villa d Este presented to Corrado Lopresto for his Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS dating back to 1942 was not his first trophy. The Alfa is not only beautiful, it also has a lot of space. Alongside Lopresto, his wife, his daughter and their little dog all alight from the two-seater and wave to the assembled audience. The last act of the Concorso d Eleganza Villa d Este 2011 started with the sumptuous Gala Dinner. Who will win the Trofeo BMW Group the Best of Show? Darkness has descended outside the hall, the winning car is somewhere outside standing silently in the night. A single spotlight circles above the line of class winners. The time is precisely p.m. when it comes to a standstill. The winner is bathed in red light. It s number 80. The Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale owned by Clive Joy not only convinced the public visitors at the Villa Erba, it also impressed the Jury. Motorcycles were seen at the Concorso d Eleganza Villa d Este for the first time in its long history. This is a very logical step because BMW was manufacturing motorcycles before it started producing cars. And BMW remains the only premium manufacturer that retains motorcycles in its product range. Hendrik von Kuenheim, Head of BMW Motorrad, emphasised that this is not simply a one-off event, and indeed he came here in person for the motorcycle competition: We are looking to develop this concours into a meeting point for all enthusiasts of motorcycle design. That fits in with both the tradition of the BMW motorcycle brand and the passion for bikes here in Italy. Visitors also benefited from a second Public Day through the Motorcycle Concorso held at the Villa Erba on the Saturday. The motorcycles were presented in a circular formation and were accessible from all sides. This enabled the big crowd of enthusiasts to look at them from all angles in a leisurely fashion. The selection of around 30 motorcycles was outstanding and this view was confirmed by an informed consensus among the press representatives here. Motorcycles from several eras and all over the world were represented, including motorcycles from the French manufacturer MGC, an Italian Aermacchi Chimera, and a BMW R 7 prototype from the 1930s. Contrary to competitions in the USA, the two-wheelers were assessed by a dedicated Motorcycle Jury. And the decision was by no means easy for the four-strong committee made up of Dave Robb, Head of Design at BMW Motorrad, Thomas Kohler, FIVA Director of Motorcycles, Carlo Perelli, Italian motorcycle journalist, and Hugo Wilson from the motorcycle magazine Classic Bike. Following some intensive and even heated discussions, the winners were selected in six different classes, such as Pioneer or Design. The American Pierce Four motorcycle powered by a four-cylinder engine from 1910 was awarded the Trofeo BMW Group as the Best of Show. Stefan Knittel assisted BMW Group Classic in organising the Motorcycle Concorso. BMW Classic live talked to the acknowledged motorcycle expert and author of a number of books: BCL: Mr. Knittel, what was the response to the first Motorcycle Concorso? Definitely positive, including the response from participants with automobiles. An Italian journalist said to me: You re doing us a massive favour, the Italians are crazy about motorcycles. I believe that this kind of event gives the entire motorcycle sector a big lift. Although it hasn t really heard about the event yet That s right. The Concorso d Eleganza Villa d Este has a very long tradition. It was originally and it still is of course a competition for automobiles. That s why we have introduced the Motorcycle Concorso cautiously and haven t launched the event with a big promotion campaign. What distinguishes this from other motorcycle events? I am not aware of any other motorcycle competition in this form. Generally, tours are held in connection with relatively small awards or an automobile jury assesses the two-wheelers alongside the cars. We gave the Motorcycle Concorso a dedicated venue with its own Jury made up of accredited experts in the field. 12 Public winner: the Aston Martin Zagato from 2011.