Lugano Elegance, 16–18 May 2025
The name says it all—this event is all about elegance. From the cars to the people, and most notably, the stunning setting right in the heart of Lugano, just off the lake.

This year marked a new chapter for Lugano Elegance. For the first time, it was no longer a charity event organized by the local Lions Club. Instead, the reins were taken over by Paolo Pedersoli and his team at Scuderia Classiche—and they delivered with impressive effort and flawless organization. From the moment participants arrived on Friday morning, rolling up the red carpet in their classic cars for registration, the event felt special. With photogs and Elegance Team members swarming about, it felt as if you'd already won.

What truly sets Lugano Elegance apart from other concours events is its accessibility. The cars are displayed in the center of town on full view to the public. On Friday, registration and lunch were held in a charming lakeside piazza, while Saturday saw cars positioned along key piazzas and shopping streets. This open format fosters a lively interaction with the public—something that makes the event both fun and memorable. Perhaps a public vote could be introduced in future editions.

Following Friday’s lunch and event briefing, there was a city tour that included pedestrian zones, steep hairpins, and a scenic lakeside drive. While enjoyable in theory, in practice it meant battling Friday afternoon traffic. As a result, some cars opted out, and others ran into trouble—most notably our friends at Art of Wheels, whose stunning Lamborghini Miura briefly went viral on Instagram for shooting flames. Thankfully, the car still made it to the concours.

Friday was relaxed and social, giving everyone plenty of time to admire the cars and connect with fellow participants. The day concluded with a scenic boat ride across the lake for drinks and a spectacular dinner—what a venue!

Saturday featured the main concours and judging. A thoughtful touch: participants were given an approximate judging time in advance—something more events should emulate

Lugano Elegance is still relatively small, and could benefit from a broader field of entries. Some classes felt a bit unbalanced. Class 2, for example, featured six stunning Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Coupés and Roadsters, making it the most represented model at the event. In contrast, Class 5 included a wide range of vehicles—from a 1964 Ferrari Lusso to a 1985 Mercedes-Benz 500 SL and BMW M635 CSI—making comparisons difficult across such different eras and styles.

It seemed likely that the winner would come from Class 1: “Pre-War Motoring.” The level of quality in this class was astonishing. Two Duesenbergs—a 1929 Model J and a 1933 Model SJ—were absolute showstoppers. The SJ had recently won Best of Class at Pebble Beach, and it was easy to see why. Both cars, along with others, were headed to the Villa d’Este Concours the following weekend, with strong chances of success.

They had serious competition, though. A Bugatti Type 57 appeared completely untouched, as if it had just emerged from a time capsule. There was also a pristine 1930 Alfa Romeo 1750 DS with a Castagna body, and perhaps most notably, the oldest Alfa Romeo in existence: a 20-30 HP with a 1914 chassis and engine, finished post-WWI after Ing. Romeo acquired A.L.F.A. Its 1920 Falco body proudly bore one of the earliest Alfa Romeo badges. Truly breathtaking.

Although Class 1 was fiercely competitive, the other classes didn’t lack quality. Highlights included several exquisite Maseratis—like a 1962 3500 GTi and GT—and a Ferrari 212 Inter Spider by Vignale, likely en route to the Mille Miglia. There were also multiple Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Coupés with Touring bodies, and a magnificent 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SC Cabriolet from California—a known winner, also headed to Villa d’Este.

Some might argue that Lugano Elegance isn’t yet a world-class concours, but it certainly featured world-class cars—and judges. Chris Kramer brought what he called his “A-Team” of judges, many of whom are regulars at Pebble Beach, Villa d’Este, and Blenheim.

Awards were presented at the Piazza della Riforma, with Best of Show—awarded to the Duesenberg Model J—announced at the gala dinner at Hotel Splendide. However, it was a missed opportunity that class winners were not clearly announced, leaving many guessing. Unfortunately, this is a common issue at similar events.

Lugano Elegance clearly benefits from its proximity to Villa d’Este—both in time and location—but it also stands proudly on its own. The organizers went above and beyond in their efforts and participant care. The event is intimate, informal, and exceptionally well run—and we love that.

Sunday morning concluded the weekend with a final two-hour tour through some of the more remote parts of Lugano. Around a dozen cars participated, finishing once again at Piazza della Riforma for a lovely lunch. The Alfa 20-30 HP suffered engine trouble en route but, thanks to the organizers’ support, made it to the finish—and was fittingly awarded the prize for the oldest car to complete the tour.