Continental classics took the top two spots in the concours at the Warren Classic and Supercar Show yesterday (25 September). Amid a spectacular array of exotica that flocked to the Essex venue, the clear winner was Corrado Lopresto's Alfa Romeo 6C-2500 SS Bertone Coupé.
The Italian beauty was brought to the event by the renowned architect-collector's son who quipped that it was the first time his father had trusted him with the 1942 car. The SS designation means Super Sports and means that it boasts triple carburettors, but the Mario Revelli di Beaumont styled Alfa is a one-off that has previously won at Villa d'Este and Pebble Beach.
Best of the rest was Mark Behaegel's Zagato-bodied 1955 Fiat Ottu Vu. The car was one of a strong contingent from Belgium that challenged in most classes and included Behaegel's 1953 Ghia Supersonic as well as Jan de Reu's 1952 Cisitalia 202SC Mille Miglia.
Before picking the victor and runner-up, the judges had whittled the 14 class winners down to five contenders, which included Bernard Rice's 1934 SS2 Sports, Andrew Guy's Aston Martin DB5 Convertible and Birgid Guy's Ferrari 250GT Short Wheelbase.
Having come so close with two cars, the Guys were unlucky to go away empty-handed, but Rice did pick up the C&SC special award for the Best British Car. Having bought the Jaguar forerunner for just a few hundred pounds, he has brough it back to life over 30 years and his prize is a professional photoshoot of the SS in the LAT Studios.
Off the field, it was a star-studded occasion with three F1 drivers in attendance, Dr Jonathan Palmer and son Jolyon plus current Indy star Max Chilton, who entered a recently acquired Cobra in the concours.
The event was also picked for the launch of a new, Harlow-based classic car specialist: NUA Motors.
After a year off, the returning show seemed to be hit and superb weather, plus lots of non-car activity both on the ground and in the air helped ensure a healthy attendance. Having established it as an international event, organisers are keen to build on this foundation and make the Warren a key part of the classic car calendar.
