Recently, a chapter at BMW came to a close with the production of the last Z4, the Bavarian brand’s storied roadster. We marked the occasion by retracing its history, making sure to honour its ancestor, the 328 from the 1930s. In a remarkable coincidence, that very car has now distinguished itself by claiming the Best of Show award at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, held each year on the shores of Lake Como in Italy. The circle is complete.
The 1937 BMW 328 Bügelfalte took home the Best of Show award.
54 vehicles from 13 countries competed across eight classes.
BMW unveiled two concepts during the event.
The BMW 328 Bügelfalte claimed the top honours at the concours, winning over the panel of expert judges chaired by Lorenzo Ramaciotti. Its owner, Italian Stefano Martinoli, was presented with the Trofeo BMW Group along with an exclusive timepiece by A. Lange & Söhne, a one-of-a-kind piece in 18-carat white gold created specifically for the winner.
Among the 328’s most serious rivals were a Ferrari and a 1963 Mercedes-Benz SL 300. The owner of the latter, American Eric Blumencranz, did not leave empty-handed — his car took the public vote prize, the Coppa d’Oro Villa d’Este.
A Rich History
The BMW that triumphed at the concours is a one-of-a-kind piece. The 328 Bügelfalte is the only 328 whose bodywork was built directly at BMW’s Munich factory; coachbuilders bodied all others. Its nickname translates literally as “trouser crease,” referring to the distinctive metal ridge that runs along the top of its front wings. A styling detail that, at the time, did not go unnoticed.
Flashback: The BMW Z4, From Its Ancestors to the Final Edition
The 328 was celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, and the Concorso marked the occasion in style, with examples of the model leading both of the weekend’s grand parades. Built from 1936 to 1940, the 328 is considered one of the most dominant sports cars of the pre-war era, with more than 200 outright victories and class wins to its credit at events such as the Mille Miglia and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It already embodied the attributes that define BMW to this day: dynamism, elegance, and technical mastery.
The 2026 field was particularly strong. The eight classes brought together 54 vehicles from 13 countries, spanning more than a century of automotive history.
On the sidelines of the concours, BMW used the occasion to unveil two concepts: the Vision BMW Alpina, a V8-powered four-seat grand tourer representing the brand’s first design since its formal absorption into the BMW Group, and the BMW Motorrad Vision K18, a long-distance performance motorcycle powered by a 1.8-litre straight-six engine.
The event also included celebrations marking 40 years of the M3 and the 50th anniversary of both the 6 Series and the BMW Art Car Collection.
