By Marco Rallo

There’s a particular feeling that hangs in the air when these kinds of engines come to life: a blend of fuel, nostalgia and pure mechanical thrill. It’s the sound of passion, the very one that filled BolognaFiere from October 23^rd to 26^th for the 42^nd edition of Auto e Moto d’Epoca. Four days of crowds, chrome profiles and pounding hearts that crowned the Emilian city as the new European capital of classic motoring.

With more than 235,000 square meters of exhibition space spread across 14 halls, the event welcomed collectors, museums, car manufacturers and historic clubs from all around the world. And despite a less-than-easy economic climate, the show delivered pole-position results: record attendance, rebounding sales and a contagious enthusiasm that united generations of enthusiasts like never before.

“Auto e Moto d’Epoca is not just a fair — it’s a cultural and human journey,” emphasized Mario Baccaglini, president of Intermeeting. Indeed, the atmosphere inside the halls carried something far deeper than a simple marketplace: it was a collective celebration of memory on wheels, an homage to the history of design, engineering and the automotive dream itself.

Between open hoods and obsessive restorations, visitors could breathe the good health of a sector that shows no sign of identity crisis. Today, vintage motoring is more than a passion, it’s both an art form and a way of bringing people together. The market numbers confirm it. Visitors didn’t just look as the “sold” signs on windshields told the story of a market back in motion, with buyers who are increasingly young, well-informed and know what they want. And really, beware of anyone claiming otherwise after skimming through the show in a few rushed minutes with a smartphone in hand.

The 30-to-50 age group — those who grew up on posters of the Delta Integrale and the 911 Turbo — are now leading the way. “Today, the value of a car isn’t tied to its age, but to its uniqueness,” explained Daniele Ferrua, CEO of Autoluce. “Those who buy, do it like collectors of art to treasure and to live with it.” A genuine shift in mindset, then: less obsession with black plates, more focus on history and quality. It’s the sign of a collector culture that evolves without losing its soul.

But it wasn’t just four wheels stealing the spotlight. The motorcycle counterpart showed plenty of muscle and heart as well. The stands of Italian classics and ’70s–’90s sport bikes were besieged by a knowledgeable eager audience. Sellers spoke of solid deals and a growing interest in models that tell the story of Made in Italy motorcycling, from Ducati to Moto Guzzi. Proof, if ever it was needed, that Italy’s motor culture still shines as a beacon on the global stage.

Among the many highlights of this edition, two exhibitions stole the show. The one dedicated to the F1 75^th anniversary delivered chills: thirty original single-seaters — never before displayed together — tracing the saga of a legend built on courage and speed. From Clark’s Lotus to today’s hybrid Mercedes. Simply stunning.

As the gates closed, BolognaFiere proved itself to be far more than a mere venue: it has become Europe’s meeting point for those who see engines as part of their cultural heritage. A place where the elegance of a vintage Alfa Romeo coexists with the digital curiosity of the younger generation and where mechanics becomes a universal language.

Auto e Moto d’Epoca 2025 wasn’t just a fair; it was a declaration of love for everything that rolls on four or two wheels. And if the future of motoring is destined to be electric, digital or autonomous, so be it. Here in Bologna, the roar of the golden years still echoes and no artificial silence could ever compete with that sound.