Photos by Vijay Sankar; press release info from Concorso Italiano
Concorso Italiano triumphantly concluded its 2024 event, surpassing expectations and delivering a reimagined celebration of Italian lifestyle and automotive passion. Held on Saturday, August 17th, the show captivated attendees with a curated showcase of iconic Italian vehicles, from classic sports cars to cutting-edge hypercars.
The meticulous selection of automobiles presented an extraordinary challenge for the judging panel. The lawn was a veritable masterpiece, featuring a diverse array of vehicles that epitomized Italian design and engineering.
The prestigious Lopresto Honorary Chairman’s Award, presented on behalf of the Italian elite collector Corrado Lopresto by Gian Luca Pellegrini (editor-in-chief of Italy’s Quattroruote) was bestowed upon the Fiat 1100 TV Vignale 1956 of the Italian (Turin) car collector Marco Gastaldi, recognizing the incredible value of a car that never underwent a restoration while being maintained in almost pristine conditions. “More than twenty years have passed since my first participation in Concorso Italiano and have fond memories of when my wife and I got on the ramp for the award ceremony. I consider Concorso Italiano a privileged place for all the study and research work I have done on the history and the style of Italian coachbuilders. And today I am particularly proud to be able to offer this award designed by Flavio Manzoni, Chief Designer of Ferrari. Combining the line of the trophy with the history of the Lopresto Collection is a source of pride and emotion“.
In addition, the coveted Best in Show Award, designed by renowned automotive designer Walter De Silva, was presented to Maserati Sebring II 1968 of Don Clen for the exceptional quality of the vehicle. De Silva, recently appointed honorary member of the Altagamma Community and Ambassador of Italian excellence in the world, has been involved, with his renewed Design atelier, in the creation of the Best of Show Award Trophy of the Italian Concorso Italiano, starting with the 2024 edition and for years to come. “When they proposed me to design the trophy, I immediately thought of shaping an elegant object that would represent cars but also the Italian soul, the heart that has always allowed us to make beautiful cars” – said Walter De Silva. The trophy, in fact, has a few lines to which are added the beauty and elegance typical of Made in Italy. Few longitudinal lines, the classic “ordinates” used to design cars, made of metal, just like that used to build automobiles. In the center, a series of transverse lines in the colors of the Italian flag to testify to the true Italian heart of the cars that have always made enthusiasts dream. A perfect relationship between external lines and the Italian heart that has always made the difference with other manufacturers. The whole rests on a blue base, which once again recalls the colors of our region.
The Valentino Balboni Award that continues to be an important legacy for Concorso Italiano went to the 1996 Lamborghini Gallardo of Margaret Schue. “This is another privilege and another honor that I have. I can select among all Lamborghinis those that sparked memories in me or represent something special or connects me to a specific vehicle in a specific moment. It is difficult to select the best Lamborghini because are all the best! So, I have this great responsibility.” – Valentino Balboni
The Valentino Balboni Award 2024 is conceived by the abstract artist Stefano Cangini from Ravenna. The work, entitled “Trofeo Balboni”, was made of laser-worked plexiglass and shows the colors of the Tricolor. Designed as a real trophy, it recalls the profile of a classic cup with the Italian flag in transparency on the back. On the front there is a shield with a mirrored interior with the inscription “Valentino Balboni Award 2024” and the reproduction of the signature of the legendary test driver. The shield in turn is framed by a thick contour of silver color, where in the upper part is embedded a figure representing a stylized bull, a clear reference to the life story of Valentino Balboni in the legendary House of Bull, manufacturer of dream sports cars. “I think an artist should be able to think outside the box, for this reason I decided to make something that was different from my works but that could go straight to the hearts of Lamborghini and Concorso Italiano fans” – Stefano Cangini.
Concorso Italiano 2024 was the occasion for the introduction of the Pininfarina Classiche Certification Program in the United States, a further step in solidifying the legacy of the Pininfarina design atelier in Northern America. “It is a true honor to have joined an event that celebrates the pinnacle of Italian automotive artistry and design. Italy is renowned as the cradle of automotive design, and Pininfarina has been a worldwide symbol of Italian style, seamlessly combining design excellence with unparalleled coachbuilding capabilities. Concorso Italiano proved to be the perfect stage to pay tribute to this rich heritage“, says Pininfarina CEO Silvio Angori.
Furthermore, in 2024 Concorso Italiano was the home for the first public presentation of Scuderia Mazzocchi, the elite motorsports club introducing a new dimension of Italian automotive excitement and being established at the iconic Quattroruote track and proving ground. “It was a great honor for Scuderia Mazzocchi, the motorsports club for enthusiasts that is being created at the Quattroruote track and proving ground near Milan, Italy, to be a partner of Concorso Italiano. Concorso is an extraordinary event that celebrates the Italian spirit, of which we are very proud, too” says Gian Luca Pellegrini, Editor-in-Chief of Quattroruote.
2024 is also the year of the debut of 1000 Miglia on the Concorso lawn, a milestone to be celebrated according to the Head of PR for 1000 Miglia Fulvia Loda Gelmini: “Thanks to Concorso Italiano for giving 1000 Miglia the opportunity to present the Spirit of 1000 Miglia award, a car that represents the authentic essence of the so called Freccia Rossa”.
Moreover, Concorso Italiano was the ideal background for the display of a group of Battista hypercars from Automobili Pininfarina.
The management team behind Concorso Italiano is extremely happy with the success of this edition of Concorso Italiano, which paves the way for a further phase of growth for the event. “We are thrilled with the overwhelming success of Concorso Italiano 2024. Our vision was to create an event that truly embodies the Italian spirit while honoring the heritage of Italian automobiles. The response from attendees, exhibitors, and partners has been incredible, and we look forward to building upon this momentum for future events.”