From 22 to 25 October, BolognaFiere will transform into the continent’s biggest gathering of historic automobiles and motorcycles. The event, known as Auto e Moto d’Epoca 2026, spreads across 14 halls, offers more than 235,000 square metres of exhibition space and showcases upward of 5,000 vehicles. While the fair attracts collectors, restorers and casual fans from over forty countries, the programme also includes museums, auction previews, specialised parts markets and a series of themed exhibitions that highlight both engineering milestones and design aesthetics.
The star classics: Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GT Berlinetta Aerodinamica and Ferrari 166 MM Barchetta
The centerpiece of the show is the Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GT Berlinetta Aerodinamica, a 1931 model built on the Touring Superleggera principle and crafted using the Weymann system. This car is the sole survivor of a tiny production run of two or three examples, and it has never been restored. Having logged only about 24,000 kilometres, the berlinetta still bears its original aluminium skin, making it a rare artefact of pre-war aerodynamics. In the 1933 Mille Miglia it won its class and placed seventeenth overall, a performance that still resonates with enthusiasts today.
Equally compelling is the Ferrari 166 MM Barchetta Touring (chassis 0064M), unveiled at the 1948 Turin Motor Show. The car embodies the post-war “less is more” ethos: a stripped-down aluminium body, balanced proportions and a two-litre V12 delivering 140 hp, paired with a five-speed gearbox. Its bicolour green-metallic and blue livery, elongated bonnet and personalised interior impressed even Giovanni Agnelli, who requested a unique version. The model illustrates how the early Ferrari brand fused competition-driven engineering with an emerging aesthetic language.
Exhibition highlights and special programmes
Beyond the two flagship cars, the fair hosts the Icons of Speed exhibition in the Via Costituzione entrance hall. Visitors can admire legendary endurance machines such as the Bentley EXP Speed 8 (third at Le Mans 2001), the Sauber C9 (World Sportscar Champion 1989), the Porsche 956 Rothmans (Group C icon) and the Lancia LC2. These vehicles, loaned by the Nationales Automuseum – The Loh Collection and the Gino Macaluso Foundation, trace more than half a century of long-distance racing heritage.
The programme also marks the first European Corvette Day held on 25 October. Organized in partnership with the National Corvette Museum of Kentucky and the CNO American Motors Club, the event gathers every generation of the American sports car, from the original C1 (1953) to the modern C8. For the first time a dedicated National Corvette Museum stand will appear in Bologna, underscoring the fair’s growing international profile.
Luxury and innovation receive their own spotlight through a Mercedes-Benz showcase. In collaboration with the Mercedes-Benz Registro Italia, the exhibition juxtaposes the historic 300 D “Adenauer” (the most powerful series sedan of its era) with the brand-new electric Classe C and the latest Classe S, illustrating the evolution from classic craftsmanship to contemporary electrification.
A nod to two-wheel heritage arrives via Honda Classic and the debut of the Prestige Bikes area. Classic Honda models that shaped off-road and road racing history are displayed alongside bespoke custom-bike creations, while the Italian Motorcycle Championship returns for a full-scale competition stage.
Market activity, clubs and collector experiences
The fair’s commercial side is equally vibrant. More than a hundred dealers occupy the exhibition halls, turning each stand into a miniature museum of rare machines. Highlights include a 1951 Lancia Aurelia B20 by Ghia, once owned by Count Aymo Maggi (co-founder of the Mille Miglia), and a one-off Stola GTS (2003) designed by Aldo Brovarone on the occasion of his centenary. A Fiat 500 Spider Allemano (1957) and a Stola-crafted Bertone Birusa (2003) also draw considerable attention.
Club and registry activities take centre stage at the ASI Village in Hall 25. The exhibition features the 1984 Chevrolet Corvette Ramarro, the Bertone Birusa and Barchetta, and a collection of historic Morbidelli and Golden Era motocross machines. The Lancia Fulvia HF Safari (1974) and Lancia Stratos Gr. 4 (1976) serve as backdrops for the FIVA Heritage Hall of Fame award, presented in memory of rally legend Sandro Munari.
Collectors and auction houses converge for a dedicated round-table on 22 October, hosted by the Italian Automobil Club (ACI). Representatives from Artcurial, Bonhams, Gooding & Co., RM Sotheby’s and Broad Arrow discuss market trends, while the new Classic Car Auction Yearbook 2025-2026 is unveiled. The event reinforces Bologna’s reputation as the European hub for classic and young-timer commerce.
Finally, the Time on Show gallery in the Hall Gallery offers a curated selection of vintage watches, underlining the fair’s commitment to a broader lifestyle context that blends automotive passion with horological art.
With its blend of untouched classics, high-tech displays, competitive events and a bustling market floor, Auto e Moto d’Epoca 2026 promises an immersive journey through the past, present and future of motor heritage.
