Here's what we missed at the 2014 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d'Este

This year's Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este took place over the weekend of 23-35 May. Bathed in spring sunshine, the lawns of the Grand Hotel Villa d'Este played host to the annual gathering of 50 of the world's finest classic and concept cars, and 35 motorbikes.

Sadly, clashing commitments meant that CDN couldn't jet down to Lake Como this year. But thanks to the event's patronage by BMW, we've still been able to get our hands on a plentiful selection of this year's best in show:

Winning the public vote, and receiving the Coppa d'Oro Villa d'Este trophy, was an Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS dating from 1931. The car originally featured Zagato bodywork, but was crashed. The car was bought by Giuseppe Aprile in 1938, and his coachwork firm created the body it features today. The car was bought by current owner, Italian collector Corrado Lopresto, in 2008, who treated it to a full restoration, including the off-white and blue paintwork.

After two hours of deliberation, the jury's choice for best in show was a Maserati 450 S from 1956. The car is owned by Swiss collector Albert Spiess, who received a one-off £35,000 A. Lange & Söhne watch. Spiess is more famed for his impressive selection of Lamborghinis. He also showed his 5-95 Zagato (below), created as his personal homage to the Gallardo - Lamborghini's most successful model to date.

The product of a fruitful tie-up between Mini and Touring Superleggera, the Vision turns the familiar face of the latest Mini in a different direction. The rear-drive electric two-seater is nicely detailed, from its three-dimensional hood stripes, to its minimalist cabin to its Union Jack tail-lights. Although hand-beaten in Italy, the aluminum body's rear fin references the Jaguar D-Type, while there's a touch of Austin Healey - a brand also owned by BMW - in its color scheme.

A victory for the Alfieri concept on home soil isn't exactly a surprise. In addition to the 450 S's overall win, Maserati also took victory in the concepts and prototypes class with its Alfiera concept. Since its debut at the Geneva motor show in March, it has been confirmed that the show car will become a production reality in 2016.

Although the overall juror's award and Coppa d'Oro Villa d'Este trophy are the big-ticket attractions, there are a host of minor awards given out at the show. Taking the award for the best-preserved post war-car was this prototype Hudson Italia, with a body built in 1953 by Touring in Milan.

We've already blocked out our 2015 diaries for next year's event. The withdrawls sympoms are too bad not to.

Related articles:
Show Review: Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2013

By Tom Phillips