The second edition of the city's Concours d'Elegance is to be held in Kyoto, ancient capital of Japan. After the amazing success of the 2016 event, the gathering that celebrates the best of world automotive design is being repeated.
From 29 March to 2 April, FCA Heritage visited the historic city of Kyoto for the Concorso d'Eleganza, which has an Italian name because the event focuses exclusively on Italian motor racing excellence.
The show, which was created on the initiative of Japanese collector and artist Hidemoto Kimura, took place in a unique location that symbolises the culture of the Land of the Rising Sun: Nijo Castle, a 17th century UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In venues normally closed to the public and accessible exclusively for the duration of the event, some of the most iconic cars ever produced in Italy were on display and in competition, judged by an international jury of experts.
FCA Heritage was in attendance with a 1900 C52 Coupé "Disco Volante" (Flying Saucer), a motoring masterpiece usually housed at the Alfa Romeo Museum, dubbed the "Time Machine", in Arese. The historic car’s nickname derives from its bodywork, which was built by Touring, and particularly the bulging wings that make it look like a sort of spaceship.
The car was displayed hors concours as guest of honour in the exhibition dedicated to Carrozzeria Touring, the historic Milan coachbuilder that created some of its most iconic cars in association with the FCA Heritage brands. On display alongside the "Flying Saucer" was a modern-day Alfa Romeo car, the charming Giulia Quadrifoglio, which symbolises the brand’s spirit, built on thrilling performance and exclusivity.
The Concorso d'Eleganza awarded the Best of Show prize to a 1951 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Super Sport Villa d'Este. Alfa Romeo was the most represented brand in the ceremony (together with Fiat), with three winning cars from the overall total of 12. In addition to the 6C Villa d'Este, the other winners were a 1939 6C 2500 Sport Berlinetta Touring (in the Touring Early Italian class), formerly driven by Principe Caetani, and a 1900 Super Sprint Touring dating from 1955 (Touring Classic Italian 1952-1961 class).
Also on display were three "modern" Disco Volante coupés built by Carrozzeria Touring, as well as the above-mentioned C52 Disco Volante coupé from the Alfa Romeo Museum in Arese, obviously hors concours.
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