Alfa Romeo is pleased to announce its participation in the “Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este,” the most exclusive and traditional vintage car event in the world, due to take place from May 24 to 26 at Lake Como. Held for the first time in 1929, the event has always been hosted in the magnificent gardens of the Grand Hotel Villa d'Este and Villa Erba in Cernobbio; around 50 models take part every year, divided into different categories and judged by a team of experts. Since 2002, a prize has been introduced for the most fascinating prototypes, which represent the link between the past and the future of the automobile.

Competing for the coveted Design Concept Award, the new Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale is an authentic ‘manifesto’ of the Italian brand’s capabilities – now and in the future – in terms of style and driving experience. Made in only 33 exclusive units, for 33 of the brand’s fans, the new two-seater coupé combines heritage and the future, and is produced according to a unique artisanal process with the highest quality standards and obsessive attention to detail. Last year, a few months after the launch of the new 33 Stradale, Alfa Romeo intended to unofficially announce the arrival of the magnificent Alfa Romeo ‘few-off’: it took to Villa d’Este the Tipo 33, a star in 1960s motorsport and the basis for the legendary 1967 33 Stradale, in turn the Alfa Romeo team's inspiration for the creation of the Biscione brand’s new custom-built car. At the enchanting Villa Erba – the venue last year for the centenary celebrations of the 24 Hours of Le Mans – the Italian brand lined up two gems from its vintage collection, both of which featured on the iconic French circuit: the 33/2 “Daytona” (1968) and the 33 TT 12 (1975).

Emotions, passion and prestige also characterize the 2024 edition, as can be seen from the packed schedule that includes the arrival of the competing cars at Villa d'Este on Friday, May 24, and the exclusive gala dinner. The following day, the exhibition will be reserved for experts, insiders, and the awarding of the first prizes, while on Sunday 26 the Festival will take place. Open to the public, it will be hosted in the park at Villa Erba, where visitors’ favorite car will be crowned. Just like every year, the event will end with the eagerly awaited and evocative parade in public of rarities from the past, together with futuristic concept cars.

An iconic location, forming part of the brand’s history
The bond between Alfa Romeo and the “Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este” began with the profound connection between Milan – the birthplace of Alfa Romeo – and Lake Como, long the drawing room of the same city’s aristocracy, and a showcase for Italian excellence around the world. That same bond has stood the test of time and remains strong to this day. Even when the focus of the automotive world shifted to mass production and the Concorso d’Eleganza became the shining memory of a distant era, Villa d’Este lent its allure to photo shoots, events, presentations and gatherings, where many of the brand’s vintage and concept cars would receive prestigious awards.

Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale: daring to dream
To make a dream come true, the essential ingredient is a good dose of courage and a pinch of healthy madness. This was the same recipe as for the car considered by many to be among the most beautiful ever: the 33 Stradale, launched in 1967. Today, with the same boldness and vision, the Alfa Romeo team has designed and developed the new 33 Stradale, an authentic work of art in motion, the upshot of the perfect combination of beauty and technology. Its goal is to provide the most exciting driving experience and the immortal charm of an icon to a very small circle of enthusiasts, who have believed in the project ever since the outset. The new 33 Stradale was created at the newly founded Alfa Romeo “Bottega,” where the brand’s designers, engineers and historians first met the 33 buyers to make a joint decision on their ideal configuration, exactly the same way as in Renaissance artisan boutiques, in the workshops of renowned Italian coachbuilders in the 20th century, when Alfa Romeo modeled its creations with the collaboration of these entities, all unique in the world. One of these was the renowned Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera, which went on to leave its mark on some of the most beautiful Alfa Romeos of all time and now plays a leading role in the production of the new 33 Stradale. In short, the 33 project skillfully combines artisan processes, technological innovation and customer's wishes, to create something unique and unrepeatable.

6C 2500 SS Villa d’Este
One of Alfa Romeo's most precious gems is definitely the 6C 2500 SS “Villa d’Este,” one of the last Alfa Romeo models to be built with a supporting frame separate from the bodywork. Only 36 models were ever produced from 1949 onwards, all one-offs custom-built according to the customer's wishes and the inspiration of the coachbuilders. Taking as a starting point the 6C 2500 Super Sport, also built by Carlo Felice Bianchi Anderloni's Touring Superleggera, major changes were introduced: the front was redesigned, the four headlights were better integrated into the bodywork, while a series of sections in the bodywork emphasized the rib of the bonnet, the beltline and the wheel arches, now also integrated into the bodywork. In the interior, accessed through ‘open’ doors with rear windows in Perspex, the newly designed dashboard and upholstery combine elegance and sportiness. A masterpiece of twentieth-century motorcar art was born. In the 1949 edition of the “Concorso d’Eleganza di Villa d’Este”, this car won the “Referendum Grand Prix” – the prize directly awarded by the public, making it eternally synonymous with the spirit of the event.