The Italian classic-motor scene reaches a peak this autumn. From late September to late October two major gatherings will bring together collectors, restorers and the general public for a celebration of automotive heritage. One event transforms the sprawling BolognaFiere campus into a living museum, while the other traces a scenic road trip between medieval fortresses in Lazio.
October 22-25 – Bologna Auto & Moto d’Epoca Exhibition
Located in the BolognaFiere district, the 2026 edition will occupy 235,000 square metres across 13 covered pavilions and extensive outdoor zones. Organisers estimate that more than 7,000 historic vehicles will be displayed, ranging from modest daily drivers to award-winning racing icons. The layout follows fluid thematic routes: dedicated halls for dealers and restorers, a separate two-wheel arena for vintage motorcycles, and club-managed spaces where museums and marque registries commemorate milestone anniversaries.
A focal point of the fair is the “Icons of Speed” showcase, which gathers twelve endurance legends such as the Bentley EXP Speed 8, Sauber C9, Porsche 956 Rothmans, Lancia LC2, Maserati MC12 Corsa and Bugatti EB110 Le Mans. These machines trace more than half a century of competition at Le Mans, Nürburgring, Monza and Daytona. In addition, a sizeable original-parts market will draw collectors hungry for authentic spares, a crucial element for the restoration community.
Visitors can purchase tickets, multi-day passes and age-based discounts directly on the fair’s website. Access by car is streamlined via a dedicated exit off the Bologna ring road; public transport links connect Bologna Centrale railway station and Marconi airport to the venue within minutes. The schedule opens at 9:00 a.m. each day, closing at 18:00 on Thursday and Sunday and 19:00 on Friday and Saturday.
September 26-27 – ACI Rome Castle Tour through Tuscia
The Automobile Club of Rome (ACI Roma) will guide thirty historic automobiles on a two-day rally that starts at the Orsini-Odescalchi Castle in Bracciano and finishes at the seaside fortress of Santa Severa. Twenty-eight crews responded to the call, presenting vehicles registered between the 1930s and 1980s. Lazio alone counts more than 415,000 collectible cars underscoring the region’s deep-rooted passion for classic motoring.
The itinerary weaves through a series of aristocratic sites: after the Bracciano kickoff, participants cruise past Lake Vico, stop at the Ruspoli Castle in Vignanello and pause in Civita Castellana before heading toward the coast. The final gathering at Santa Severa includes awards and a festive showcase.
Among the headline models, a second-series 1952 Cisitalia Berlinetta steals the spotlight. Designed by Pininfarina on a Fiat 1100-derived chassis, the Berlinetta merged pure aerodynamics with a sleek, continuous-volume silhouette that later influenced the MoMA permanent collection. The tour also features two rare Lancia examples: the 1958 B24 Convertible, famed from the film *Il sorpasso*, and the unique 1952 Aurelia B52 Spider bodied by Farina, notable for its early V6 engine.
Other gems include a 1934 Fiat 508 Spyder, once used by Rome’s tax collectors, a 1934 Lancia Artena with a Viotti-crafted body, and a closed-top 1952 Jaguar XK120, celebrated as the fastest production car of its era with a 120 mph top speed. These cars, together with the surrounding castles and the Tyrrhenian sea, create a moving tableau of Italy’s automotive and architectural legacy.
Both events aim to strengthen the international profile of historic motor culture in Italy. While Bologna supplies a massive indoor-outdoor exhibition platform, Rome offers a dramatic road-show that links heritage sites with the romance of classic motoring.
