From Fiats to Ferraris
Lake Como, classic cars and one of Italy’s grandest hotels; if you’re a petrolhead with a taste for the finer things, Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este is the epitome of la dolce vita.
The event, which was established in 1929, returns to the luxurious Villa d’Este hotel from 15-17 May 2026.
The prestigious concours is the star attraction, but Broad Arrow’s spectacular two-day auction – at the neighbouring Villa Erba on 16-17 May – will certainly draw a crowd.
A varied set of classics is set to cross the block, but here, presented in chronological order, we’re focusing on some of the Italian gems going under the hammer.
Prices are given GBP£, US$ and EUR€; all conversions were correct, according to Broad Arrow, at the time of writing
1. 1947 Alfa Romeo 6C-2500 Super Sport (est: £324-367,000/$438-497,000/€375-425,000)
This Alfa Romeo 6C-2500 was the first of 19 built with Touring of Milan’s Aerlux coachwork.
Fitted with a distinctive sunroof (its name was derived from the Latin words for air and light, aēr and lux), chassis 915586 has a unique, integrated sunvisor that was ditched for the following 18 cars.
This example was finished in August 1947 and delivered to its first keeper, Count Gaetano Marzotto, in February 1948.
He was an Italian industrialist whose son, Giannino, won the Mille Miglia road race in 1950 and 1953 (not driving this car).
By the early 1970s, this Alfa Romeo had swapped hands and been dismantled, ready for a rebuild; however, it took almost 40 years and a change of ownership before the 6C-2500 was brought back to life.
The car’s early-2000s restoration was a four-year project. It’s since been displayed at various concours events and competed in 2008’s 1000 Miglia.
2. 1955 Lancia Aurelia B24 Spider (est: £432-604,000/$584-818,000/€500-700,000)
The Pinin Farina-designed Lancia Aurelia B24 Spider captures the glamorous Riviera lifestyle of the 1950s.
A mere 240 were built during the model’s one-year production run and this is one of just 181 left-hand-drive examples (known as a B24S).
Originally shipped to America, this Lancia returned to its Italian homeland in 1989 and in 1999 was acquired by Emilio Gnutti, an Italian billionaire and car collector who also invested in Formula One.
The most recent owner bought the car in 2018. Last year, it was restored by French specialist Garage des Moneghetti, and photos and invoices relating to this work are included in this Lancia’s sale.
3. 1956 Ferrari 250GT (est: £734-864,000/$997,000-1.17m/€850,000-1m)
When Pinin Farina’s workshop reached capacity in 1956, Ferrari turned to another Torinese coachbuilder for help.
According to Broad Arrow, Carrozzeria Boano built between 68 and 80 250GTs before founder Mario Boano left for Fiat, at which point the business was renamed Carrozzeria Ellena.
This 1956 car is one of just 14 alloy-bodied examples. It’s equipped with race-ready upgrades like triple Weber 36DCL3 carburettors and an exhaust system made by Abarth.
Its first competitive outing was at Nassau Speed Week in The Bahamas in December 1956. After that, it was offered at Luigi Chinetti’s New York dealership.
The Ferrari remained in the USA until 1997, when it came to Europe.
In 2000, the Boano-bodied coupé completed the 1000 Miglia. More recently, it’s been restored by DK Engineering in the UK and Swiss specialist Sahli Karosserie.
4. 1960 Lancia Flaminia Sport Zagato (est: £130-164,000/$176-223,000/€150-190,000)
According to its Lancia Heritage Certificate, this Flaminia Sport Zagato left the factory on 26 February 1960 with a white body and its cabin trimmed in black leather, so clearly a lot has changed since then.
By the ’70s it resided in Switzerland, but its current custodian is Dutch and bought this car in 1999 from an Italian who was living in the UK.
At this point, the Flaminia was in a sorry state, so he commissioned a model specialist in The Netherlands to restore it, with the focus being on originality.
That said, he elected to paint it red, as it was when in Switzerland, rather than its factory white, and had an upgraded engine fitted – a correct-type, 2.5-litre V6 that’s thought to be its original unit is included in this no-reserve sale.
5. 1960 Maserati 3500GT Vignale Spyder (est: £389-432,000/$528-587,000/€450-500,000)
Fewer than 250 examples of the Giovanni Michelotti-penned Spyder left Vignale’s workshop in the early 1960s and this was one of the first.
Finished in Grigio Scuro Metallizzato with a Cuoio Naturale Marrone interior, it was completed in May 1960.
The car spent some time in the USA before it returned to Italy in 2008.
As part of a four-year restoration between 2014 and 2018, a rare hardtop (one of around 40 ever built) was sourced and painted brown to match the Maserati’s leather trim.
It has covered very few miles since this work and comes to auction in its original colour, with its matching-numbers chassis and engine.
6. 1963 Fiat 600 Torpedo Marina (est: £173-216,000/$235-293,000/€200-250,000)
Despite its nautical nods, this Fiat isn’t an amphibious vehicle. But it was designed to be near the sea.
Interestingly, this beach car – based on the 600T’s platform – has some parallels with the Maserati on the previous slide: it was styled by the same designer (Giovanni Michelotti) and built in the same workshop (Carrozzeria Vignale).
Officially the Fiat 600 Torpedo Marina, this beautifully finished spiaggina has two-tone paintwork, wooden floorboards and wicker seats, plus it has unusual, bench-style seats at the rear that face outwards.
This Fiat was restored during a previous owner’s tenure and today appears to still be in very fine order.
7. 1963 Fiat 2300 Presidenziale Landaulette (est: £64,800-86,400/$88-117,000/€75-100,000)
But what if you’re after a coachbuilt 1960s Fiat that’s designed for business rather than pleasure? How about this stately landaulette?
It’s set to cross the block without a reserve in the Broad Arrow auction at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2026.
The idea for this vehicle came from Fiat boss-in-waiting Gianni Agnelli, whose vision was realised by coachbuilder Carrozzeria Francis Lombard (which already produced a seven-seat, long-wheelbase version of the 2300 saloon).
The open-top design was originally commissioned for Pope Paul VI. Apparently, this one was ordered by Agnelli to ferry VIPs around Fiat’s factory in Turin.
Historians think it was also the car that transported President Kennedy and wife Jacqueline during their 1963 trip to Italy.
8. 1966 Maserati Mistral Spyder 4000 (est: £345-432,000/$469-587,000/€400-500,000)
This striking green Maserati Mistral is one of 125 Spyders and, according to Broad Arrow, it’s one of just 37 fitted with the 4-litre engine.
The Mistral’s straight-six was based on the 3500GT’s and the 4014cc iteration was the ultimate evolution of the twin-cam unit.
This car, originally finished in silver, was delivered to its first owner in Rome in summer 1966.
The Maserati spent time in Austria before returning to Italy, where it was restored and repainted.
Its two previous keepers have continued to maintain this rare Mistral Spyder to a high standard: since 2022, €135,000 (c£117,000/$159,000) has been spent on it.
The car will cross the block with no reserve.
9. 1967 Meccanica Maniero GT 4700 (est: £259-345,000/$352-469,000/€300-400,000)
You’d be forgiven for not knowing about the Meccanica Maniero GT 4700. It’s a one-off, after all.
Italian industrialist Angelo Maniero – emboldened by his Maserati 3500GT’s poor ground clearance – commissioned Giovanni Michelotti to style the Meccanica, intended to be a more usable grand tourer.
The Ford V8-powered car was exhibited at the 1967 Geneva motor show. Swiss entrepreneur and Ferrari importer Georges Filipinetti loved it and ordered 50, or so the story goes.
But Maniero decided against putting the Meccanica Maniero GT 4700 into production. Hence, this car, chassis MMGT01, is unique. It was owned by the Maniero family for more than 50 years.
The current custodian acquired the car in 2016. Until then, it had never been registered or restored; the mechanicals have since been recommissioned, but the bodywork has been preserved.
Now showing 6400km (3976 miles), the Meccanica will be sold without a reserve.
And for this car’s full story, check out the June 2026 edition of Classic & Sports Car.
10. 1968 Bizzarrini GT Strada 5300 (est: £777,000-1.04m/$1.06-1.41m/€900,000-1.2m)
Another Italian with an American heart, the Bizzarrini GT Strada 5300 is a Chevrolet V8-engined road-racer.
It was the brainchild of former Ferrari engineer Giotto Bizzarrini, who helped to design the 250GTO.
With an impressive CV – Giotto worked for Alfa Romeo, Lamborghini, ATS and Iso, too – Bizzarrini certainly had enough experience to build his own machine.
Sadly, things didn’t go to plan and his eponymous firm folded in 1969, after producing fewer than 140 cars.
This yellow example was registered in June 1968. It was restored in the 1990s, around the same time it appeared in the book Bizzarrini: The Genius Behind Ferrari's Success by marque expert Jack Koobs de Hartog.
The GT Strada 5300 was restored again in the 2010s, this time by Carrozzeria Zanasi. It’s spent the last decade in France.
11. 1968 Ferrari 330GTS (est: £1.3-1.47m/$1.76-2m/€1.5-1.7m)
This Ferrari 330GTS was one of the stars of the Salón Internacional del Automóvil de Barcelona in 1968.
Following its appearance at the huge Spanish showcase, chassis 11045 was sold to the Count of Godó. It was first registered on 30 May 1969.
It changed hands a couple of times between the 1970s and the 1990s, when it was restored.
In 2001, it travelled to Switzerland, then to France, then to The Netherlands, where it was bought by the Dutch enthusiast who still owns it today.
The Ferrari’s history file details all the work that’s been done between 2001 and 2025; the receipts add up to €250,000 (c£216,000/$294,000) and include invoices for a respray in 2005 and a set of Borrani wire wheels (a period option).
This Ferrari 330GTS is supplied with its rare factory hardtop.
12. 1970 Alfa Romeo GT restomod (est: £86,400-130,000/$117-176,000/€100-150,000)
Restomods might not be to everyone’s taste, but this modified Alfa Romeo – upgraded by Timeless Garage in Lisbon, Portugal – has been created as a road-friendly tribute to the Italian marque’s GTAm racers. Sounds tempting, right?
This car started life as a regular GT 1300 Junior, but Timeless Garage swapped the humble 1.3-litre for a 2-litre ‘four’ from a GTV (uprated with a 155’s Twin Spark cylinder head).
There’s also electronic fuel injection, a competition clutch, Bilstein shock absorbers, Alfaholics wheels, ventilated front disc brakes and Tillett Racing seats – and it’s being sold with its Alfa Romeo Certificate of Origin as well as a detailed build sheet from Timeless Garage.
It is presented in its original colour of Giallo Ocra and has covered just 1569km (975 miles) since this work was completed.
It will go under the hammer without reserve.
13. 1972 Ferrari Dino 246GT (est: £242-311,000/$329-422,000/€280-360,000)
The Dino 246GT – the mid-engined sports car that honoured Enzo Ferrari’s late son, Dino – evolved during its five-year production run.
Following the aluminium-bodied, all-alloy-engined 206GT, the rationalised 246GT was more powerful and easier to build. The V6 got an iron block and steel bodywork gradually replaced the aluminium panels.
This ‘E-series’ model represents the model in its final form. Finished in Blu Chiaro Metallizzato, and equipped with electric windows and air conditioning, chassis 03924 was completed on 23 May 1972.
It was shipped to the USA and sold to Deborah Hurley of Pennsylvania in August 1973. By 1990, the Dino was registered in France.
Between 1998 and 2023, it was maintained by Sud Racing in Montpellier. Now, the 70,780-mile car is ready for its next chapter. It will be sold as a no-reserve lot.
14. 1975 Lancia Stratos HF (est: £518-691,000/$704-939,000/€600-800,000)
Despite its rally-inspired livery, this Lancia Stratos was originally a road car.
It was built in January 1975 and delivered to its first owner in April that year.
Four years later, the Lancia was bought by enthusiast Francesco Marchese, who converted the mid-engined supercar to Group 4 specification.
The plucky privateer entered the 1979 Coppa Inter-Europa; photographs of the car competing at Monza are included in the sale.
In 2004, marque expert Piero Gobbi acquired the Lancia and prepared it for rallying.
The Stratos has since competed in more than 30 historic events throughout Europe, including the Tour de Corse Historique and Rally del Corallo.
15. 1977 Fiat Bertone 850 Familiare (est: £69,100-104,000/$94-141,000/€80-120,000)
A bit like the long-wheelbase Fiat 2300 featured earlier in this slideshow, this funky bus was built to chauffeur VIPs around the Italian marque’s factories.
Reportedly, no more than six were built and this is one of two survivors. It will be offered without reserve in Broad Arrow’s Villa d’Este auction.
Based on the Familiare, Fiat boss Gianni Agnelli commissioned Bertone’s Marcello Gandini to create this six-seat (and six-door) people carrier.
The Plexiglas roof panel offered panoramic views of Fiat’s newly built facilities, while dual-zone air conditioning kept passengers cool.
16. 1988 Lancia Delta HF Integrale (est: £69,100-104,000/$94-141,000/€80-120,000)
Interestingly, this Lancia hot hatchback has an identical pre-sale estimate to the Fiat bus on the previous slide – and it’s going to be sold without reserve, too. Which would you have?
This Delta HF Integrale looks superb in Rosso Monza, with an oh-so-’80s cabin that features Bayadère wool in brown, green and blue, a simple, three-spoke steering wheel and Alcantara-trimmed Recaro seats.
But the most intriguing thing about this particular car is its unbelievably low mileage: in almost 40 years, it’s covered just 633km (393 miles).
Broad Arrow describes this Integrale as a ‘museum-quality example’. In fact, the door cards are still wrapped in their protective plastic wrapping and factory-applied wax is visible on the chassis.
17. 1990 Ferrari F40 (est: £1.99-2.16m/$2.7-2.94m/€2.3-2.5m)
You probably won’t be surprised that this low-mileage Rosso Corsa Ferrari F40 is the most expensive vehicle in the slideshow (based on Broad Arrow’s pre-sale estimates).
This car left the Maranello works on 26 January 1990.
It’s a desirable ‘non-cat, non-adjust’ example. If you’re not an F40 fanatic, that basically means it was built before catalytic converters and adjustable suspension were introduced in 1991.
These cars are more coveted and a bit more valuable. If you’re asking us, we’d be happy with any F40, though. We’re not fussy.
According to Ferrari historian Marcel Massini, this car’s first owner enjoyed travelling to shows and gatherings during their 17-year ownership; the car appeared at the 1991 AvD-Oldtimer-Grand Prix and 1992’s Ferrari F40 meeting at Mugello.
Subsequent keepers have continued the tradition: in the 2000s and 2010s, the Ferrari has been spotted at track days, Italy’s Auto e Moto d’Epoca show and elsewhere.
It’s been certified by Ferrari Classiche and has 40,271km (25,023 miles) on the clock.
18. 1990 Lamborghini Countach (est: £432-518,000/$587-705,000/€500-600,000)
If you’re after a bright-red Italian supercar but the Ferrari F40 doesn’t take your fancy, how about this Lamborghini Countach?
This 25th Anniversary edition – the most radical take on the Raging Bull’s outrageous supercar – has spent its life in Italy.
Since the current owner bought it in 2022, this car has become ‘one of the most awarded and showcased examples in existence’, says Broad Arrow.
It was presented with a Polo Storico Authenticity Certificate in 2024 and subsequently displayed at that year’s Chantilly Arts & Elegance show.
This Countach also won the Lamborghini Trophy at the 16th Classic Eleganza Stresa and was honoured with Ruoteclassiche magazine’s 2025 Best in Classic crown.
19. 1992 Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evoluzione (est: £281-324,000/$382-441,000/€325-375,000)
If you’re not familiar with the pecking order in the Lancia Delta range, then you’re probably wondering why this HF Integrale is around quadruple the value of the car on slide 17. It looks broadly the same, after all.
If you look more closely, you’ll notice this Evoluzione model has wider wheelarches and a few more air vents.
Under the bonnet, the turbocharged ‘four’ has a bit more power, too.
The most obvious difference between this Lancia and the red Delta HF Integrale is this car’s eye-catching livery, though.
It’s one of 310 Martini 6 editions, built to mark the Italian team’s success in the World Rally Championship.
20. 2001 Lamborghini Diablo VT 6.0 (est: £346-432,000/$470-587,000/€400-500,000)
The VT 6.0 was the final evolution of the Lamborghini Diablo.
The front-end redesign and telephone-dial-style alloy wheels hinted at what was to come from the upcoming Murciélago.
The fuel-injected V12 – whose capacity was increased to 5992cc – now produced nearly 550bhp. Owners were surely glad to have the VT (Viscous Traction) four-wheel-drive system that was introduced a few years earlier.
This car’s first keeper was Formula One driver Olivier Panis. The 1996 Monaco Grand Prix winner owned the car until 2014.
If you’re interested in this or any of the other cars in this slideshow, click here to view the full Broad Arrow catalogue.
We hope you enjoyed reading. Please click the ‘Follow’ button for more super stories from Classic & Sports Car.