How to See 5,000 Historic Vehicles in Three Days

Images: Jon Papadhimtri & Gautam Sen

The 41st Auto e Moto d’Epoca, held for the second time in Bologna, marked a successful gathering for classic and vintage car and motorcycle enthusiasts, reflecting the market's ongoing revival.

The event drew an enthusiastic international crowd, filling the halls of BolognaFiere beyond expectations and surpassing last year’s turnout.

Organisers expressed satisfaction with the fair’s results, noting strong sales and emerging opportunities in a sector that celebrates the enduring appeal of historic vehicles.

"Bologna has experienced growth that exceeded both our and the exhibitors' expectations this year," commented Mario Carlo Baccaglini, the event’s organiser.

Unlike other European shows, Auto e Moto d’Epoca saw brisk sales, spanning affordable models to rare collector’s items worth millions.

Gianpiero Calzolari, President of BolognaFiere, emphasised the event’s status as a leading force in the industry.

Originally hosted in Padua, the fair now attracts thousands of visitors worldwide, enhancing the cultural and tourism appeal of Italy’s Motor Valley.

“Auto e Moto d’Epoca is a factory of dreams and emotions,” Calzolari noted, underscoring the significance of hosting such an event in the heart of Emilia-Romagna.

The Automobile Club d’Italia (ACI) curated a broad program of events and tributes, with over 25 sessions dedicated to automotive heritage and Italian icons like Maserati, celebrating its 110th anniversary, and classic cars featured in cinema.

Among the highlights was the ACI Experience, offering a virtual immersion into the metaverse via Apple Vision Pro, which led visitors on a journey with the legendary Triumph TR3A from La Dolce Vita.

Pavilion 21 also saw tremendous success with the ASI Village, drawing a steady flow of visitors.

Alberto Scuro, President of the Automotoclub Storico Italiano (ASI), celebrated the ASI Village’s popularity and the presentation of the prestigious ASI Award for Historic Motoring to famed driver Arturo Merzario.

“The ASI Village captivated enthusiasts with exhibitions showcasing the best of motoring tourism,” Scuro shared.

The international historic vehicle federation, FIVA, impressed audiences with its display at the ASI Village, featuring notable vehicles like the amphibious Suzuki Go (Bertone Suzuki Go: A Suzuki That Could Swim) by Marcello Gandini and a Benelli 250 Quattro designed by Paolo Martin, both inductees in the FIVA Heritage Hall of Fame.

The fair saw an increase in attendance compared to 2023, including a notable rise in international visitors – a positive sign for a sector drawing new generations, particularly those interested in youngtimers and limited-edition models.

Among the 5,000-odd vehicles displayed, classic Porsches, as well as Italian and European cars from the 1950s, were especially in demand, with roughly a third of the lineup dedicated to Porsches alone.

One of the most captivating aspects of the fair was exploring rare and unusual models from lesser-known Italian coachbuilders and sports car specialists, like Stanguellini, Ermini, and OSCA.

While Auto e Moto d’Epoca might be the largest historic vehicle fair worldwide in terms of size and scale, it still falls short of the exceptional quality and rarity found at Salon Retromobile in Paris. Yet it is worth a visit to see so many of the rarer Italian bolides.