Coppa d’Oro Villa d’Este and “Special Prizes”Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2023
The public announces its verdict: The Coppa d’Oro Villa d’Este this year goes to the Ferrari 250 GT Spyder California.
On saturday the most traditional award of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este has been declared. In 2023 the public has conferred the Coppa d’Oro Villa d’Este on the Ferrari 250 GT Spyder California from 1961, owned by Jonathan Hui, Keybridge Collection, Hong Kong. The 250 Series gave Ferrari a sporty, economic basis to establish a rock-solid foundation stone for the success of the marque. Some of the great Ferrari icons originate from this model series, and the 250 GT California Spyder undoubtedly ranks among them. Its first owner was none other than the French writer Françoise Sagan, who had celebrated a legendary success with her first work Bonjour tristesse in 1954. “Whisky, gambling and Ferraris are better than housework”, was a famous bon mot promulgated by Sagan, who liked living the good life and loved fast automobiles above all else.
Throughout the traditional parade of historical cars on the terrace of Villa d´Este the first “Special Prizes” were awarded as well. The list below presents its winners with the model, year of manufacture and owner provided in each case:
TROFEO BMW Group Classic
For the most sensitive restoration by the Jury
Rolls-Royce, SilverWraith, 1949
Yohan Poonawalla, India
TROFEO Rolls-Royce
For the most elegant Rolls-Royce by the Jury
Rolls-Royce, Sports Phantom Prototype, 1928
Alexander Schaufler, Austria
TROFEO Vranken-Pommery
For the best iconic car by the Jury
Porsche, 901 Prototyp “Quickblau„, 1963
Alois Ruf, Germany
TROFEO ASI
For the best preserved post-war car
Aston Martin, DB2 Coupé, 1950
Stephan Hofmann, Germany
TROFEO Auto & Design
For the most exciting design by the Jury
Ford, GT40, 1968
Rob Walton, United States
TROFEO il Canto del Motore
For the best engine sound by the Jury
Porsche, 917 K, 1970
Christophe Count d’Ansembourg, Belgium
TROFEO Automobile Club Como
For the car driven from farthest away
Alvis, Speed 25 SC, 1937
James Sprague, United States