The 2024 edition of the Lugano Elegance concours saw almost 100 carefully curated collector cars vying for Best in Show in the heart of the southern Swiss city on May 17-20.
With models on display ranging from pre-war rarities to supercars and one-offs, picking a winner proved a challenging task for the expert jury, which was led by classic car historian Chris Kramer and Hagerty’s global brand ambassador Nigel Matthews.
Only one car could be crowned the winner, however, and it was the 1927 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8AS Roadster by Fleetwood that eventually got the nod, after taking the Pre-War Sports trophy.
The Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8AS Roadster's win coincided with the model's 100th anniversary
Owned by the Audrain Collection of Newport, Rhode Island, the Isotta Fraschini was originally commissioned by Hollywood silent film star and car enthusiast Rudolph Valentino. As fate would have it, Rudolph never actually saw the Tipo 8AS Roadster after purchasing it, because he passed away before he could take delivery.
The Isotta Fraschini has previously won two Best in Class titles at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, as well as the Best in Show and Most Elegant trophies in the inaugural Audrain Concours d’Elegance in 2019.
Joining the Isotta Fraschini on the podium were a pair of Swiss-owned entries: a stunning 1957 Ferrari 212 Inter Cabriolet Ghia from the Pearl Collection of Fritz Burkard and a 1938 Alfa Romeo 6C 2300 MM Cabriolet Graber owned by Matthias Metz.
Fittingly, the Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8AS’s win coincided with the model’s 100th anniversary, celebrated at the Lugano Elegance alongside the 70th year of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL and Maserati’s 110th anniversary. Each of these milestones were marked with dedicated one-off concours classes and parades.
The winner of the Pre-War Tourer class, an exceptional 1934 Cadillac V16 Fleetwood Coupe, was another highlight that proved popular with attendees and judges alike. It was complemented by further memorable trophy winners such as the 1953 Lancia Aurelia B52 Berlinetta that won the Pixar CARS Award, the 1982 Lamborghini Countach 5000S that took the Designer’s Award and the 1962 Maserati 3500 GT Spider Vignale that bagged the Spirit Award.
Dates for the 2025 edition of the Lugano Elegance will be announced in the coming months.
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Full concours results:
Best in Show: 1927 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8AS Roadster by Fleetwood
Finalists: 1927 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8AS Roadster by Fleetwood, 1957 Ferrari 212 Inter Cabriolet Ghia, 1938 Alfa Romeo 6C 2300 MM Cabriolet Graber
Pre-War Sports: 1927 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8AS Roadster by Fleetwood
Pre-War Tourer: 1934 Cadillac V16 Fleetwood Coupe
70 Years of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Coupé: 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Coupé
Lancia Aurelia: 1953 Lancia Aurelia B52 Spider Vignale
Ferrari and Maserati Early: 1957 Ferrari 212 Inter Cabriolet Ghia
Ferrari and Maserati Late: 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB
Graber Coachwork: 1938 Alfa Romeo 6C 2300 Cabriolet Graber
Grand Tourer: 1971 Mercedes-Benz 600
Italian Sports Cars: 1955 Alfa Romeo 1900 SS Berlinetta Zagato
Open Two-Seater Sports Cars: 1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster
Chairman’s Award: 1955 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Cabriolet Pinin Farina
Chief Judge Award: 1937/1947 Mercedes-Benz 500K Cabriolet Graber
Designer’s Award: 1982 Lamborghini Countach 5000S
‘CARS’ Award by Jay Ward of PIXAR Studios: 1953 Lancia Aurelia B52 Berlinetta
Spirit Award: 1962 Maserati 3500 GT Spider Vignale
