Rare and Historic: Excitement in the Eternal City as Anantara Concorso Roma Sees World’s Finest Italian Cars Return Home
• Winners of the inaugural Anantara Concorso Roma were announced on Sunday evening, concluding Rome’s first Concorso in more than 60 years.
• Over 70 of the world’s rarest historic Italian cars were brought together to compete and celebrate ‘La Dolce Vita delle Automobili’.
• A 1932 Maserati V4 Sport Zagato wins ‘Best of Show’, the V16 pre-war Italian marvel.
• All 16 classes were competitive, with visitors able to see, up close and in detail, the nation’s finest examples of automotive design, engineering, and craftsmanship.
• The Concorso took place from the 16th-19th of April and was hosted by Anantara Palazzo Naiadi Rome Hotel.
• The event was organised by Anantara Hotels & Resorts and presented by UBS.
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Anantara Concorso Roma 2026 – Class I: Pre-War Zagato winner, the 1932 Maserati V4 Sport Zagato, during the presentation ceremony.
The inaugural Anantara Concorso Roma, presented by UBS, took place over the weekend, bringing together over 70 historic Italian cars in the heart of Rome for a weekend of competition and celebration. In the spirit of ‘La Dolce Vita della Automobili’, visitors enjoyed a stunning combination of Roman hospitality and the nation’s finest cars, all set against the historic backdrop of the Eternal City.
Though the showfield was highly competitive, with many immaculate and historically-accurate examples, the 1932 Maserati V4 Sport Zagato presented by Lawrence Auriana was crowned Best of Show on Sunday. Other notable class wins included a 1968 Lamborghini P400 Miura, a 1986 Ferrari Testarossa Spider, and a 1959 Maserati 3500 GT Vignale Spider “prototipo”. The full list of class winners can be found in Appendix I, and special award winners in Appendix II.
From Le Mans-winning Ferraris to immaculate Lancias, Anantara Concorso Roma is a unique event in the calendar, as it is dedicated only to Italian cars. This year, 70 such cars competed across 16 classes, from ‘Le Zagato ante-guerra’ to ‘Le hypercar’, with the showfield including road and race cars from Ferrari, Lamborghini, Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Lancia, Fiat, and more.
Anantara Concorso Roma has become an instant success and world-class automotive event, thanks to the leadership of Jeremy Jackson-Sytner, oversight of Chief Judge Adolfo Orsi, and the dedicated hospitality and function expertise of the team at Anantara Hotels & Resorts.
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Best of Show: 1932 Maserati V4 Sport Zagato
The inaugural Concorso’s winner of La migliore automobile del Concorso (best of show), was the 1932 Maserati V4 Sport Zagato presented by Lawrence Auriana. First purchased by a wealthy physician in Rome, the car has returned 94 years later to win the city’s prestigious Anantara Concorso Roma. Judges praised its unique origins and history.
The V4 is an extremely rare and interesting example of experimental Italian automotive engineering in the 1930s, combining two 2-litre Tipo 26 engines in a single crank case to create a 16-cylinder behemoth. This unique engine enabled the model to beat the world speed record in 1929, setting an astonishing new benchmark of 246 km/h.
Only two Maserati V4 Sport Zagato were produced, with this example being the second. In 1934, it was rebodied by Zagato as a roadster with a unique two-tone green paint scheme. It was sold to Dutchman, Erik Verkade, who dismantled the car shortly after the German invasion, hiding the V16 engine in his bedroom for five years. It was sold to a collector in the UK in the late 1940s, where it remained until the 1990s, when it was bought and restored by its current owner.
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An Unforgettable Weekend
The Anantara Concorso Roma started on the 16th, as owners and guests arrived at Anantara Palazzo Naiadi Rome Hotel. Over the next three days, they enjoyed the best of Rome’s charm, with exclusive dining opportunities, luxury shopping, and exploration of the Eternal City.
On Saturday the 18th, the Concorso opened , with all 70 cars positioned on the showfield at Casina Valadier in Villa Borghese, overlooking the city. Many locals and tourists took advantage of this unique opportunity, securing day passes to see some of the world’s rarest and most interesting cars. Judging took place throughout the day, with guests treated to a Champagne lunch before an evening of fine Italian dining and entertainment at Palazzo Brancaccio.
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The Concorso continued on Sunday the 19th, as judges prepared the final results. In the afternoon, winners were presented, including Best of Show, with much discussion and excitement around the calibre of entrants at the inaugural event. Anantara Concorso Roma was then brought to a close for 2026, with hosts expressing gratitude to the owners, guests, partners, and supporters.
Partners and Supporters for 2026
Anantara Concorso Roma was organised by Anantara Hotels & Resorts and presented by UBS. It was hosted by Anantara Palazzo Naiadi Rome Hotel and supported by event partners Richard Mille and Lockton Wattana. It also received support from partners: Maserati, Schedoni Modena, RM Sotheby's, American Express, Gulfstream, Sanlorenzo, Globeair, Tenute Lunelli, Whispering Angel, Veuve Clicquot, Lavazza, Acqua di Parma, Technogym, Renauld, CARS, Octane, Cover Car, Ripense, Antica Manifattura Cappelli, La Dolce Vita, FICOFI, Automobile Club D'Italia, ASI, Comune di Roma, and ACLI.
William E. Heinecke, Founder & Chairman of Minor International, parent company of Anantara and long-time classic car collector and enthusiast, commented: “This weekend’s inaugural Anantara Concorso Roma has exceeded what I ever could have imagined for our launch event. We were able to curate a quite remarkable collection of historic Italian cars, we had the support of incredible partners and the event had the perfect backdrop of the Eternal City combined with blue skies every day - it was truly exceptional.”
Benjamin Cavalli, Head of Strategic Clients & Global Connectivity, UBS Global Wealth Management and Co‑Head EMEA OneUBS, commented: “UBS is proud to sponsor the inaugural Anantara Concorso Roma, an event that captures the essence of La Dolce Vita delle Automobili at its very finest. In close partnership with the exceptional team at Anantara Hotels & Resorts and alongside a select group of distinguished partners, we helped bring to life an unforgettable celebration dedicated to automotive heritage and craftsmanship. The event marked a remarkable weekend in Rome, recognising not only the enduring artistry and legacy of Italian automobiles, but also the value of collaboration in creating an experience truly unlike any other.”
Alessandro Onorato, Councillor for Sport, Tourism, Fashion, and Major Events of Rome Capital, commented: “This event is not just about luxury; it is a celebration of the Italian lifestyle admired around the world, and a concrete example of how major international events can create real, lasting benefits for our communities. Through initiatives like this, Rome is strengthening its global image as an open, dynamic city that embraces development, investment, and social responsibility.”
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