There is no doubt, at least in my mind, that classic Driver magazine delivers the European concours and show scene better than any Web site or publication. Once again it has excelled itself with coverage of the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2009. If that sounds exotic, indeed it is. Villa d'Este is an historic luxury hotel located at the north shore of Italy's Lake Como. Each year it offers an exclusive event featuring classic sports cars and, in the concours tradition, a few all-new beauties that, alas, only the wealthy can afford.
The overall 2009 concours winner was ex-Microsoft president Jon Shirley, whose beautiful 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B scooped both the private show on Saturday and the public day on Sunday. It's the car on the mid-right of this photo. Classic Driver says "in its day, this elegant Alfa 'Due Milla Nove' had a similar value to that of a Bugatti Veyron or McLaren F1 today; only, it could be argued, it boasted a touch more elegance." I certainly agree with that last remark.
This year's Classic Drive coverage includes a video featuring Simon Knudsen as spokesperson. What I love about it is that he allows us time to admire the fashionable crowds as well as the cars. If you've never visited a great European concours, or even if you have, I encourage you to click on this Classic Drive site, admire the still photos, then join Simon Knudsen as he casually examines the cars of our dreams.
Photo: Simon Knudsen