From 18 October to 25 October, BolognaFiere becomes the epicentre of Europe’s classic-vehicle scene. The Auto e Moto d’Epoca 2026 gathers collectors, manufacturers, museums and a worldwide community of enthusiasts, reaffirming the city’s status as a crossroads for historic motoring culture. Organisers stress that the event is the only European venue where such a concentration of rare automobiles and motorcycles can be experienced within a single venue, offering visitors a tangible journey through five decades of design, engineering and passion.
Icons of Speed – endurance legends take centre stage
The headline exhibition, titled Icons of Speed – Endurance Legends, assembles twelve landmark machines that defined long-distance racing. Highlights include the aerodynamic Porsche 917, the turbo-charged Porsche 956 Rothmans, Sauber’s championship-winning C9, Bentley’s EXP Speed 8 and the avant-garde Lancia LC1. Each car is displayed alongside complementary documentation, illustrating how raw power, aerodynamic research and relentless competition pushed the limits of technology from Le Mans to Nürburgring.
Rare automobiles on display
Among the automotive treasures, Alfa Romeo presents its heritage line, featuring a dark-finished Alfa Romeo 164 Q4 powered by a 3.0 L V6 Busso and an all-wheel-drive Viscomatic system. The 1984 Alfa Romeo 33 Quadrifoglio Oro, fitted with a 1.5 L boxer and double carburetors, is listed at €6 500, while Bentley showcases a black Continental GT driven by a 6.0 L W12 biturbo and permanent all-wheel drive. A Lancia Stratos HF, painted in its signature red, bears the 2.4 L V6 Dino engine placed centrally – a homage to its rally-winning pedigree.
Motorcycle heritage and MotoGP legends
The two-wheeler arena spans fifty years of racing history. Honda Motor Europe brings pieces from the Motegi Collection Hall, including Eddie Lawson’s and Mick Doohan’s NSR500 machines and Valentino Rossi’s RC211V. Best Bikes Garage supplies a selection of ultra-rare 500 cc Grand Prix bikes, while the new Prestige Bikes zone concentrates on collectible models for serious collectors. The Youngtimer Dreams area displays the scarcely seen Honda RC213V-S, and the Italian Motorcycle Championship – Custom Bike Show rounds out the program, merging historic styling with contemporary custom culture.
Market, culture and celebration of milestones
International exposure expands with first-time participants such as Gallery Aaldering, while European specialists Metropole and OldtimerFarm reinforce the commercial side of the event. Partnerships include InterClassics Brussels and a dedicated European Corvette Day – Italy, organised with the National Corvette Museum. Additional zones cater to spare-part traders, scale-model collectors, automobilia and luxury timepieces.
Special stories underline the show’s narrative depth. A Ferrari 348 TB linked to Ayrton Senna’s Italian years, a green-and-blue Ferrari 166 MM Barchetta acquired quietly by Gianni Agnelli, and the legendary Miura SV owned by Ferruccio Lamborghini – displayed to mark its 60th anniversary – all draw visitors into the personal histories behind the machines. Mercedes-Benz celebrates 140 years of automotive invention, and the 1904 De Dion-Bouton Type V stands as the oldest four-wheel vehicle on the floor.
Preserving the craft: training the next generation
On 23 October, a forum titled The Art of Restoration: Technical Culture and Training for Classic Car Mechanics convened within the ACI-Storico area. Moderated by journalist Carlo Di Giusto, the panel featured Giovanni Battista Tombolato (Vice-President, ACI Storico), CNA Padua instructors Nicola Verdicchio and Sergio Schiavon, Academy teacher Andrea Agnoletto, mechanic Simone Marchioni of Officina Marchioni Auto Storiche and tyre specialist Gianmarco Rossi of Officina F.lli Rossi Pneumatici d’Epoca. The discussion stressed the urgency of passing hands-on expertise – from sheet-metal work to historic tyre fitting – to young professionals, ensuring that the artisanal knowledge safeguarding historic vehicles does not vanish.
Organisers and participants alike highlighted that the fair does more than display objects; it cultivates a living ecosystem where heritage, commerce and education intersect. As the event draws to a close on 25 October, Bologna solidifies its role as a crucible for classic-vehicle enthusiasm and a launchpad for the next generation of custodians.
