1910 American Pierce Four Wins Villa d'Este Motorcycle Best of Show

The Trofeo BMW Group in the first Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este for motorcycles was won by an American Pierce Four from 1910. Inspired by the F.N, the Pierce had a four-cylinder, 4-hp engine and a top speed of 97 km/h (60 mph). In fact, this was America's first four-cylinder motorcycle.

The engine was a stressed part of the frame and drove the rear wheel through an enclosed shaft, another American first. Production of the Pierce motorcycle ended in 1913.

Early models were direct drive, with no clutch and no gearbox, but in 1910 -the year the Villa d'Este winner was produced - a clutch and two-speed transmission were added.

As for the motorcycle concours, there have been five competition categories, as well as an hors concours design show.

Based on criteria such as design, state of preservation and originality – a jury of five have selected the best in class and an overall winner from among the 40 or so competing motorcycles. However, in this first year there have been no prizes awarded by public referendum.

Class A Pioneers, pre-1917 motorcycles:
- F.N. 5 hp, 1910 Belgium
- Pierce Four, 1910 USA
- Wilkinson Touring Auto Cycle, 1910 UK
- Husqvarna Moto-Reve, 1910 Sweden
- Militaire Autocycle, 1915 USA
- Pope Twin, 1916 USA

Class B “Design and Technology” 1920-1930:
- Wooler Model B, 1920 UK
- DKW ZSW 500, 1928 Germany
- Ascot-Pullin, 1930 UK
- MGC, 1932 France
- Ardie RBK 503 Meran, 1934 Germany
- Alcyon 306A, 1936 France

Class C “Glamour”:
- Brough Superior Four Sidecar, 1932 UK
- BMW R17 Sidecar, 1936 Germany
- Indian 4, 1937 USA(- Harley-Davidson EL, 1938 USA
- Moto Guzzi Falcone Corazzieri, 1957 Italy
- Clymer-Münch Mammoth IV, 1967 Germany

Class D “Races and Records”:
- Dearden-Vincent, 1950 UK
- Moto Guzzi 500-4 cilindri Gran Premio, 1954 Italy
- BMW World Record sidecar, 1952 Germany
- Moto Guzzi 350 Bialbero, 1957 Italy
- MV-Agusta 350-4, 1960 Italy
- Britten V1000, 1993 New Zealand

Class E “Production model icons”:
- Motom 98 T, 1955 Italy
- Aermacchi Chimera 250, 1955 Italy
- Velocette Vogue 200, 1963 England
- Norton Commando 750, 1968 UK
- Triumph X-75 Hurricane, 1973 UK
- MV Agusta 350 S Ipotesi, 1975 Italy

Design Prototypes Exhibition:
- BMW R7, 1934 Germany
- BMW Concept 6, 2010 Germany
- Husqvarna Mille 3, 2010 Italy
- Ducati 500 Twin, 1968 Italy - Concept
- Ducati Diavel, 2010 Italia