The grounds of a stately home provide the ideal setting for a gleaming display of Ferraris, Maseratis, Lamborghinis, Alfas, Fiats, Abarths, Lancias and other Italian delicacies – which is why the annual Auto Italia Concours at Stanford Hall in Leicestershire has grown to be such a ‘must-do’ event for Italophiles.
Lining up on the immaculate Leicestershire lawns on Sunday 3rd June will be a fine selection of the best Italian cars in the country, with spacious grassed areas set aside for the various marques and associated owners’ clubs. The day will include the national Maserati Club Concours (which last year attracted more than 100 Maseratis) and the popular Fiat and Abarth Concours, while awards will also be presented to owners of particularly rare or interesting – in the judges’ opinion – cars. And while most of the attractions are at ground level, the day will be topped off with an aerobatic display, as Abarth GB is bringing its spectacular stunt plane.
The quality and variety of cars at the Auto Italia Concours is always outstanding, but the day is charmingly informal – simply arrive and display your Italian car of any age, colour or value. Entry costs just £12 for adults and £3 for children: and you can pay on the day, although – if you want to register a concours entry – you’ll need to do so in advance via email to
Stanford Hall is conveniently located in the heart of England, and easy to find from the M1, M6 or the A14. See stanfordhall.co.uk for directions (and you can even book accommodation).
If you don’t drive an Italian car yourself, you’re still very welcome, but you’ll be directed to a parking area outside the lawn displays. Then you can stroll through the concours at your leisure, drink in the atmosphere, and wonder why you didn’t snap up that lovely classic Lancia or sporty little Abarth when you had the chance…
