Auto News 5

The jury at the 2009 Villa d'Este Concorso d'Eleganza inevitably, but a bit reluctantly, designated this Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Best of Show. The reluctance was not because Jon and Mary Shirley's 1938 Touring Superleggera Berlinetta was Best of Show at Pebble Beach last year, but because it was so far superior to the rest of the field that we--I was one of the seven jury members--were deprived of the usual spirited discussion that would have enlivened our lunch meeting had there been another close contender. As it was, the unanimous decision was attained in about half a minute, eliminating our usual fascinatingly passionate arguments. Too bad, because while actual judging is hard work, the debates moderated by jury chairman Lorenzo Ramaciotti are pure fun.