Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2012 is in the books and one automaker, which was surprisingly not BMW->ke178 – the sponsor of the event – cleaned up house by taking home four awards, including the most prestigious award. The winner of three of the four awards is a 1933 6C 1750 GS, an ultra-rare specimen from Alfa Romeo->ke1386. The main prize that this beauty won was the “Concorso d’Eleganza Best of Show” by vote of the jury, which is the top award. In addition to this top prize, the Alfa Romeo also took home the “Coppa d’Oro Villa d’Este” and the “Tropheo BMW Group Italia” by public vote.

The 6C 1750 GS was part of a series of road and race cars that Alfa Romeo manufactured from 1929 through 1933. While all of the models have their own special place in automotive history, this 1933 6C 1750 GS is especially rare. This model was designed by Figoni coach builders and boasts a 1,752 cc in-line six-cylinder engine, which cranked out a then-impressive 102 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 126 pound-feet of torque at 2,000 rpm.

In addition to the 6C taking home three awards, Alfa Romeo took home yet another award. This prize was handed to the 4C, as it won the “Design Award for Concept Cars & Prototypes,” which is voted on by the public. This sleek and sexy sports car takes its styling cues from the 8C Competizione and boasts a 200-horsepower 1,750 cc turbocharged four-cylinder engine. An official at the event was quoted “…the 4C represents the essence a of true sports soul in accordance with the brand's values: performance, Italian style and technical excellence for maximum driving pleasure in complete safety.” And we certainly agree with that interpretation.

In closing, we tip our hats to Alfa Romeo and impatiently await the release of the 4C’s debut in the U.S. in 2013.

Click past the jump to read the full press release.

Alfa Romeo enjoys success in Villa d'Este with the 4C and the 1933 6C 1750 GS

Alfa Romeo was the winner of an impressive four prizes yesterday - with its 4C and sixth series 1933 6C 1750 GS models - at the Concorso di Eleganza in Villa d'Este, a prestigious event which has been celebrating the world's finest historic vehicles for many years.

As well as the "Concorso d'Eleganza Best of Show" awarded by the jury and another prize voted for by the public, the Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS also won the Coppa d'Oro, a recognition granted by referendum in Villa d'Este.

The car on display, an especially rare model, was a coupé designed by the Figoni coach builders and presented for the first time in Paris in 1933, which has placed at several previous "concorsi d'eleganza". A lightweight version of it took first place in the Le Mans 24 hour race in its category in 1935.

Between 1929 and 1933, Alfa Romeo produced a series of sports cars for use on the road and in competition, specifically the 1750 6Cs, where "6C" referred to the 6 in line 1752 cm³ cylinders. Originally developed by designer Vittorio Jano, the 1750 6C was presented in Rome in 1929, and over the four years which followed, it was continually updated and improved, with six successive series. The vehicles produced were for the most part sold as complete chassis and outfitted by specialist firms, many of them with open two-seater bodies.

The Alfa Romeo 4C was awarded the "Design Award for Concept Cars & Prototypes" by referendum of the public in Villa d'Este. The fruit of the brand's experience with the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione and the 8C Spider (with which it shares its rear wheel drive), the 4C represents the essence a of true sports soul in accordance with the brand's values: performance, Italian style and technical excellence for maximum driving pleasure in complete safety. The concept presents the classic formula of the two-seater, rear-wheel drive coupé with its central engine, a length of approximately 4 metres and a wheelbase of less than 2.4 metres. These dimensions on the one hand emphasise the car's compact attributes while also accentuating its agility on the other.

Turin, 28 May 2012

A festival of beauty on Lake Como

The Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2012 celebrates cars and motorcycles +++ Alfa Romeo, 6C 1750 GS is awarded the Trofeo BMW Group +++ BMW Zagato Coupé marks its world premiere +++ Gilera 500 wins the motorcycle Concorso.

Munich/Cernobbio. Last weekend, Cernobbio on Lake Como once again became a magnet for car and motorcycle fans from far and wide. On display at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este were a range of classic automobiles and cutting-edge concept cars that thrilled the crowds who had flocked there. Visitors were already making a beeline for the grounds of Villa Erba on Saturday to witness the motorcycle Concorso. At the end of another marvellous weekend on the shores of Lake Como, the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este proclaimed its worthy winners on Sunday. The judges and the public were of one mind: the Alfa Romeo, 6C 1750 GS, 6th Series Coupé, Figoni of 1933 claimed the Trofeo BMW Group presented by the jury, and thus the Best of Show accolade, while also securing the public prize, the Coppa d'Oro Villa d'Este. In the Concept Cars and Prototypes category, meanwhile, the winner was the Alfa Romeo 4C . Appearing out of competition in this year's line-up was the BMW Zagato Coupé, making a high-profile world debut.

"We experienced a high-calibre event with a unique field of competitors," said Karl Baumer, President of the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este and Director of BMW Group Classic, reviewing the 2012 Concorso with obvious satisfaction. "We are particularly delighted at the splendid turnout of almost 6,000 visitors on Sunday," he added. Danilo Zuchetti, President of Villa d'Este S.p.A., was equally pleased with the weekend's success: "We witnessed a Concorso that is second to none in terms of sheer class and quality."

The Trofeo BMW Group in the second Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este for motorcycles was awarded to the Italian Gilera 500 Rondine from the Museo Piaggio. Hendrik von Kuenheim, Director of BMW Motorrad, took stock after the second edition of the motorcycle Concorso: "This Concorso reflects the enthusiasm and sheer passion we have been pouring into our motorcycles for almost nine decades now."