This year's Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este thoroughly belonged to Maserati, with the Italian firm taking the honours in a number of categories. Proving that Maserati isn't just a company with a desirable past, its latest concept - the Alfieri - scooped the Design Award in the Concept Cars & Prototypes category. And, as if to confirm just how beautiful the Alfieri concept is, the car that actually inspired the concept scooped the Auto & Design trophy for the most thrilling style: the A6GCS Berlinetta from 1953 is one of only four ever made by design firm Pininfarina.
As it is also Maserati's centenary this year, there was a special category commemorating its first century. Six cars from different eras took part, and although all cars would be show-winning in their own right, it was a V4 Sport from 1929 that took the top spot. Owned by American collector, Auriana Lawrence, it is one of just two examples produced, although it is now the only car remaining in existence.
But the biggest prize of the weekend, the jury's Best of Show trophy, went to a stunning dark blue 1956 Maserati 450 S, owned by Albert Spiess, a Swiss entrepreneur, who is the same individual that had the Lamborghini 5-95 Zagato commissioned for his collection. Just 10 examples of the 450 S were ever built; the bodywork by Fantuzzi and the 400hp 4.5-litre engine made for an incredible combination.
Anything else?
The Concorso d'Eleganza may have been full of historic and one-off prototypes, but that award winning Alfieri concept looks increasingly like it will be heading for full production in the coming years, and according to some in the know, it is likely to remain very true to the concept form.