“Stelle sul Liston”: The Ferrari 250 GT Pininfarina Is The Very Best of Show
Beauty and motors, an ageless combination that has characterized a special Sunday in Padua, which welcomed the fifth edition of “Stelle sul Liston”. 30 classic cars attending the competition, and as many wonderful ladies, which gave a pleasant fashion and entertainment interlude. The Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet owned by Luigino Tommasin, got the “best of show” first prize; it is handcrafted in just 40 units – each unique – courtesy of Pininfarina.
An amazing attendance success for the fifth edition of the “Stelle sul Liston” concours of elegance, event created by Rossano Nicoletto, president of RIVS (Register for Italian Historical Vehicles), which remains among the top events dedicated to elegance, classic cars and art. The target of the fifth edition has been the exaltation of the Italian excellence, with a focus on the automotive world, true heart of the event. The climax of the concours, started on Saturday, October 10th at the Expo AQUAE in Venice, as been as usual the Sunday parade of cars and models on the runway in front of the Pedrocchi Cafe, stage for a day of this incredible spectacle of yesteryear. One by one all the cars, carrying a driver and a model, paraded in front of the Historical Cafe, telling the audience a part of Italian history – and not only – linked to the four-wheel design. Cars of absolute value, that have been able to challenge even the most prepared of the juries, chaired by renowned designer Leonardo Fioravanti, flanked by prominent names of motorsport history as Tom Tjaarda and Fabio Lamborghini.
Thirty cars entered the competition, being selected by the organizing committee to be able to present a mixed picture of Italian and foreign automotive excellence covering several years. The “Best in Show” award goes to the Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet of Luigino Tommasin, car designed by Scaglietti and crafted by Pininfarina in just 40 units, a fascinating first series also belonged to racing driver Wolfgang von Trips. In second place we find the ISO Rivolta 300 GT, model in a perfect state of preservation, while in third place the Lancia Aprilia Convertible Stabilimenti Farina, a car beautifully restored by the owner. The “Elegance and Passion” special Prize – has been assigned to the most elegant car – the 1936 Lancia Astura Cabriolet Stabilimenti Farina, while the “Excellence and Memory” award – which represents the prize for the most historical significance – went to the the Bianchi S9 Carrozzeria Simonetti. Other cars have been awarded, like the Fiat 8V Zagato Barchetta one-off (best sports car), the Lamborghini Espada (best Italian car), the Jaguar XK 120 OTS (best foreign car), the Alfa Romeo 6c 2500 SS Touring (RIVS special mention) and the Maserati 3500 GT Spider Vignale coming from the Museum Nicolis (best coach-built cars). The other “best of show” award, that chosen by the audience, went to a non-Italian car, the Bugatti T-57 Ventoux, one of the best known and most successful models of the famous French maker.
Particularly appreciated also the 1963 Jaguar E-Type 3.8, another splendid first series, and then a 1953 Jaguar XK 120 OTS, a lilac-pink specimen as extravagant as fascinating, with that unique pattern created on commission for the “American Car Life” magazine as an example of the peculiar relationship between the understated British style and the American one, decidedly more whimsical. The Jaguar brand has been admired even for the 1937 SS Cars Jaguar 2.5 DHC, a flawless prototype from Switzerland, already winner of numerous awards. Hard not to mention the presence of other cars which, although not winning, tell exactly how “Stelle sul Liston” is now one of the few venues where to enjoy, in a single glance, cars that combine charm and historic value at the top levels: from the 1958 Alvis TC 21 Prototype, to the 1947 Nardi Danese (one of the first cars that fits an engine produced by Enzo Ferrari); from the Porsche 901 – a pre-series produced by hand – to the Aston Martin DB4 Vantage; from the 1936 Lancia Astura Stabilimenti Farina, to the Fiat 1100 Vignale “Superleggera”, another unique model restored by the owner and exhibited for the first time in a concours of elegance.
But “Stelle sul Liston” is not only beautiful vintage cars: the exhibitions of artists Matteo Boato, Diego Racconi and “Maestro Milo”, a tour on the Brenta Riviera with its historic villas, and the presentation of Leonardo Fioravanti’s book “Il Cavallino nel cuore”, have further enhanced the two-day event organized by RIVS. The second part of the event has been characterized by a parade of models, each arrived on a car in competition. The jury chose Beatrice Farcas as the most elegant competitor, followed by “Miss Jaguar” Silvia Frizzarin, “Miss Mediolanum” Zeudi Zuin, “Miss Clory Mode” Chiara Turcato, “Miss Paul Rubin Hairdressers” Silvia Lucatello and “Miss Susy&Susy Hairdressers” Ina Roska. The girls wore creations by Clory Mode, divided into five fashion scenes, each representing a period revisiting elegance and styles from the 30s to the 70s. Among the many guests went to enjoy the parade of these wonderful classic works of art, also the famous entrepreneur Giovanni Rana.
Photo credits: Stelle sul Liston