CLASSIC CARS, AND SOME OF THEIR PEOPLE
Jet-set aesthetically conscious petrolheads own all the best exotic vehicles. That’s just the way life is. By Bruce Fraser
Feels like heaven, doesn’t it?” remarked a middle-aged man to his considerably younger, attractive companion as she sipped on a flute of “bubbles”. An overstatement? Maybe not, because strolling through the grounds of the 19th-century Villa Erba — which coincidentally was a monastery — on the shores of Lake Como, Italy, it felt pretty accurate.
As the strains of the jazz classic, Beyond the Sea, filtered through the manicured gardens of the hotel courtesy of the Blue Velvet jazz quartet, it was one last chance to admire some of the world’s most exclusive historic cars and motorcycles.
Celebrating its 90th anniversary, the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este — in association with the BMW group — today rates alongside classic car shows such as Pebble Beach, USA; Retro Movil Madrid; and Classic Expo Salzburg, Austria. All unique opportunities to pay tribute to design and creativity through the motoring ages.
From around the world owners come to showcase their time-honoured treasures, rub shoulders with fellow captains of industry, share stories of the past and plans for the future and generally just have a damn fine time.
This year the 50 car entrants were divided into eight categories with each division containing a unique blend of history, elegance and prestige. Looking for something pre-1940? Then catching the eye was a 1936 Bentley 4 ¼ litre. In an era where the trend was gravitating towards heavier touring cars, the Bentley encapsulates the moment perfectly.
The long, sloping convertible has unique features such as a folding windscreen and a special rear-axle ratio. Just the thing for a wealthy aristocrat of the time — or successful businessman of today.
At the opposite end of the timeline was a 2019 Bugatti La Voiture Noire. With each
component crafted by hand, the focal point — besides the stunningly beautiful design — is the 16-litre engine that throws out a chilling 1,500hp. This unique vehicle was recently sold for ¤16.7m.
As someone remarked: “If people can spend millions on a painting, then why not on a car?” Why not indeed. Returning to the show after displaying a Strato Zero last year, was Los Angeles-based venture capitalist Phillip Sarofim, who proudly had on show a 1965 Vivant 77. It’s hard to believe this futuristiclooking vehicle was built 54 years ago. Pencilshaped, it was America’s answer to Alfa Romeo’s “BAT mobiles” and a unique blend of the beauty of the past with a design of the future.
Sarofim was only too happy to share a bit of the background. “It was created by Pontiac development engineer Herb Adams as his dream car when at the peak of his career. It has a two-framed chassis and a V8 6-litre engine which has been built to a unique specification. Clothed in sheet aluminium, it’s a one-off car, built by a passionate individual.”
One of a new generation who partakes in classic shows around the world, the 33-yearold describes himself as “not really a collector, but an enthusiast”. Not even the damage to the nose of the vehicle when in transit could dampen his spirits. “It broke my heart of course but at the end of the day we are all here to have fun.”
Friendly, polite — even bordering on shy — Sarofim forgot to mention his father is Texan billionaire Fayez Sarofim and that he currently dates Canadian singer Avril Lavigne. Must have slipped his mind, or I never asked the right questions.
For anyone who has classic cars close to their heart, a visit to Lake Como — which 19th-century Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley said “exceeds anything I ever beheld in beauty” — at the end of May is a bucket-list must.
It’s an absorbing blend of the finer things in life. Culinary delights, exquisite wines and an eclectic mix of people with a common love — tradition-rich classic cars. Oh yes, the cars.