Auto e Moto d’Epoca Bologna 2024 | Events

28 October 2024 Redazione Events, News

Words by Carlo Brema / Photos by Giorgia Rossi

The figures of the Bologna exhibition are exceptional: 235,000 square meters, 14 pavilions, 4 thematic routes, over 7,000 cars and motorcycles and €20 for 5 hours of parking. This is how the amazing 41^st edition unfolded, able to prevail over the unfavorable weather forecasts and which despite everything attracted an even higher number of visitors than last year, when we witnessed the first edition in Emilia, after the move from Padua.

Under a threatening blanket of clouds we joined the shining passion for cars of all eras, passing through the inevitable glories of the racing world and concept cars that remind us how solutions now adopted by any contemporary model were admired on the great stages of motor shows years ago. Auto e Moto d’Epoca, as we know, is a journey through the history of the automobile and can be experienced by joyful enthusiasts, also because we unfortunately found that the vast majority of the cars on sale had exaggerated selling prices to say the least. What we all agree on is the quality of the automobile product itself, where thanks to the care of dealers who tried in every way not to make the substantial absence of the official manufacturers weigh, we were able to admire the non plus ultra of dream cars. The most anticipated supercars were all here, including a rare Jaguar XJ220, a strong focus on youngtimers and also older models, albeit in smaller numbers than usual. This means one thing in particular, that is, that greater attention is paid to interest in models with a wider and more possible use.

This does not eliminate the price problem, an aspect that does not depend on the Organization, but which inevitably reduces the business theme that for a fair concerns one of its fundamental themes. The same number of excess zeros is found even more evidently in the spare parts area, where even in the early hours of Thursday morning we met listless traders who were almost indisposed by our questions and those of potential customers. Luckily, there are many beautiful things to look at and some exhibitors with objects and decorations that distract us immediately, guiding us along the area dedicated to the ultimate dream cars: Pagani, Maserati, Polo Storico Lamborghini and Alpine, which alongside the legendary A110 brings the new incarnation and the newborn electric A290.

Back and forth, satiating the stomach thanks to the delicious food points scattered a bit everywhere and starting the tour again from the beginning, because it does not often happen to see so many beautiful cars all together. And then there is the human factor, that essential value that between a Diablo and an F50 makes you meet friends you haven’t seen for a long time and share a great passion for engines, the same that for Grassi Scuderia Milanese is finalizing the details in view of the creation of the 044S, a tribute to the legendary Lancia Delta S4 created from scratch and aimed at those who want to relive the glories of the great rallies on everyday roads.

At the end of the last weekend of October, AME once again proves to be the static event of historic motoring you can’t miss, the undisputed monopolist in Italy and one of the most important events in all of Europe. It’s just a shame that if you come here to buy, you often find yourself negotiating starting from figures that are, to say the least, optimistic. If you want to sell, the matter is much simpler, because at that point you just need to think in terms of true market values. And if everyone did that, the fair would be even more magnificent.