Broad Arrow Brings Motorsport Royalty to Lake Como — With a Side of Rally Dust, Vintage Glam, and a Dash of Italian Brio
Hold onto your driving gloves, folks, because Broad Arrow Auctions is revving its engines for a spectacular debut at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este Auction this May. And this isn’t just any car auction—it’s a parade of motorsport legends, vintage charmers, and mechanical marvels with more stories than your grandad’s pub tales.
Paris-Dakar, But Make It Citroën
First up, the headliner. The rock star. The car that ate sand for breakfast—the 1990 Citroën ZX Rallye Raid. Yes, the very one that tore across the desert with rallying god Ari Vatanen at the wheel. This beast wasn’t just for show. It competed in three grueling Paris-Dakar rallies and helped Citroën snag the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallying. After a long stint relaxing in the Citroën Heritage collection (because even rally cars need a break), it got a two-year spa treatment to bring it back to its 1990 Pharaohs Rally glory. The result? A trail-blazing legend, now suited and booted for its next adventure.
Oh, and it comes with not one, but two original Citroën Sport racing suits. Just in case you wanted to go full cosplay at Goodwood.
Nuccio Bertone’s First Love (on Wheels)
Then there’s the sweet, swoopy 1936 Fiat 570 Bertone Barchetta Special. This isn’t just any vintage car—it’s the first car designed by the one and only Nuccio Bertone. Bought with his own cash, tweaked to perfection, and raced with flair, this barchetta is as much a love letter to Italian design as it is a race-ready machine. It even tackled the Mille Miglia four times, finishing second in its class in 1948.
Rediscovered by Bertone himself in the ’90s, restored, and kept in the family until 2021, this little Fiat is the stuff of automotive fairy tales.
The “Periscopio” Abarth That Took on the Targa Florio — and Won
For those who like their Italian with a side of grit, may we present the 1966 Fiat Abarth OT 1300—a tiny titan of the Targa Florio. With its cheeky “periscope” air intake poking out of the roof and a feather-light frame, it took on bigger, brawnier rivals and laughed in their carburettors. It even caught the eye of Vincenzo Osella, who later helmed the Abarth racing team and his own Formula One outfit.
Found snoozing in a barn for 40 years (as one does), this race-hardened hero is ready to rise again—with a little recommissioning TLC.
Elva BMW Mk 8: The Gentleman Racer’s Choice
Finally, for fans of finesse and flow, there’s the 1965 Elva BMW Mk 8—a sleek, purposeful racer with a howling BMW 2.0L engine and more Goodwood appearances than some retired F1 drivers. Born to race in the Road America 500 (where it finished a stellar 10th overall), it later enjoyed a cultured life in the collection of Dr. Julio Palma and was campaigned by historic racing ace Roger Wills. It’s already on the guest list for this year’s Goodwood Members’ Meeting, with a Madgwick Cup slot waiting in the wings.
In Short: A Dream Garage on the Shores of Lake Como
“These aren’t just cars—they’re rolling history, each with a tale to tell and a legacy to pass on,” says Joe Twyman, Broad Arrow’s VP of Sales in the EMEA Region. And honestly, he’s not wrong. Whether it’s Ari Vatanen’s desert dart, Bertone’s baby Barchetta, or a barn-found Abarth itching to get back on the road, this auction is shaping up to be one for the ages.
Want in? You’d better move fast—limited spots are left for consignors. So if you’ve got a classic car with stories to share, give Broad Arrow a bell at +44 20 4592 0169 (UK/EU) or +1 313 312 0780 (NA), or drop them a note at info@broadarrowauctions.com.
For now, mark your calendars: 24–25 May 2025, Villa Erba, Lake Como. Dress sharp, sip an espresso, and prepare to fall in love with a few four-wheeled icons.