1968 Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale Takes Villa d'Este Trofeo

This past weekend, the shores of Lake Como have become too crowded for the human eye to bear: tens and tens of exquisite cars, some of them shown for the first time, have come together in a yearly show of elegance, an event called Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este. As with any contest, this two had to have a winner, and it did.

BMW, the manufacturer that watches over the event each year, decided that in 2011 the prize, called Trofeo BMW Group, and which represents the award for the top of the show car, should go to the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale, a 1968 model brought to Lake Como by a Brit.

“We’ve seen cars and motorcycles which made our hearts beat a little faster – both within the small, exclusive environs of the Villa d'Este and together with the wider public at the Villa Erba,” said Jean-Marc Droulers, Villa d'Este president.

Along with the overall winner of the competition, BMW also announced the winners of the other categories. The Coppa d'Oro, an award decided by the public, went to a 1942 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS, the Concept Cars and Prototypes category was won by the Aston Martin Zagato, while motorcycles category was won by an American Pierce Four from 1910. It was the first time BMW handed an award for a motorcycle at this event.

“We are looking to develop this concours into a meeting point for all enthusiasts of motorcycle design. That fits in with both the tradition of the BMW motorcycle brand and the passion for bikes here in Italy,” said BMW Motorrad Director Hendrik von Kuenheim.