The 2006 edition of the Villa d’Este Concorso d’Eleganza fell on the weekend of 21-23 April. First held in 1929, this event has the world’s longest and finest tradition of showcasing cars that have set the standard in automotive history during their eras. This year, and now under the patronage of the BMW Group, proved to be no different with a truly superb collection, made up of only the most significant and valuable cars in the world, gathering on the banks of Lake Como in Northern Italy for the three day extravaganza.

The weekend’s proceedings kicked off last Friday with a few dark clouds hanging over the Italian sky, but by the time the entrants were ferried across the lake to Villa Erba for Sunday’s public entrance day and final judging the weather was indeed glorious. Villa Erba is a dream location, with the cars arrayed on manicured grass banks on the park that rises up from the fabulous Lake Como, itself glittering in the sunlight. Sunday saw the Italian nation busy gearing up for a week of liberation celebrations, and taking advantage of the holiday period the public, many of whom had travelled to spend the day in stylish waterfront Como, streamed into Villa Erba to view the unrivalled collection of historical and modern cars on display. Meanwhile pleasure cruisers, luxurious powerboats and even an ‘Amphicar’ traversed the lake, while a 'flying boat' also took advantage of its serene waters.

Although the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este is smaller than its famous Californian equivalent at Pebble Beach, its sheer quality is just as amazing, and the atmosphere is always very relaxed. Of special significance this year was the fact that two of Italy’s most legendary design houses, Zagato and Pininfarina, chose this occasion to unveil exciting new expertly coachbuilt Ferraris. Although built to very different design briefs, each was equally as captivating and significant as the other. Zagato presented the 575GTZ on the 50th anniversary of the immortal 250GTZ, a new car that now totally reshapes the 575 M Maranello on which it is based, and they reported very strong interest in this clever and stylish exotic car, so a handful more may well be commissioned.

Pininfarina meanwhile unveiled a very subtly reworked 612 Scaglietti, dubbed as the 612 Kappa. Created for renown US Ferrari collector Peter Kalikow, who demanded a carefully enhanced version of the 2+2 'gran tourer' rather than anything too extreme, it has been extremely well thought out and revisions such as the new bonnet and front wing mounted intakes, as well as the repositioned Enzo-sourced rear lights work extremely effectively. Another world debut in the 'Concept Car' category was the unusual and distinctive Russo-Baltique Impression which revives a less well known past Russian carmaking name.