This October, the rolling Tuscan hills along the Arno River will pulse with the exhilarating sound of high revving engines from Maranello, Sant’Agata, Stuttgart and other powerhouses of the sportscar world. From October 16th to 18th, Villa La Massa Excellence returns for its fourth edition, offering a deliberate and thrilling contrast to its traditional sister event on the shores of Lake Como, which became one of the most important events in the collector car calendar over the last century.
While Cernobbio has spent decades celebrating historic elegance and prototype concept cars, Florence turns its spotlight exclusively toward the defining masterworks of the modern era. The manicured lawns of the Villa La Massa resort are reserved for the pinnacle of motorsport-derived engineering. Most classic car events exclude cars younger than 30 or 40 years – Villa La Massa Excellence goes the exact opposite way and only allows cars built after 1990. Visitors will witness an extraordinary collection of hypercars, ultra-rare restomods, track-focused bolides, and precious one-offs that shape the current collector scene.
The setting provides a staggering historical contrast of its own. Dating back to the 13th century, Villa La Massa is a tastefully restored estate from the Medici-era nestled within a ten-hectare parkland just outside Florence. Offering fifty-four rooms and suites spread across six historic villas, exquisite riverfront dining, and a luxury spa built inside historic cellars, the hotel complex with Renaissance heritage is the perfect venue for this cutting-edge gathering.
Organized in close partnership with Canossa, the weekend is packed with high-profile activities. An expert jury, led by president Massimo Delbo and featuring J.P. Rathgen, CEO of Classic Driver, alongside Amanda Stretton, Fabio Filippini, and Katarina Kyvalova, just to name a few, will award coveted prizes like the Coppa d'Oro. Underlining the contemporary character of the event, the Future Choice trophy is judged entirely by a jury of children and teenagers to inspire the next generation of guardians of authenticity.
For 2026, the organizers are introducing a thrilling addition to the itinerary. On Sunday, the static elegance of the concours field transitions directly into dynamic motorsport action with a parade at the world-famous Mugello Circuit. Coupled with a gala dinner in the heart of Florence, Villa La Massa Excellence promises an unforgettable Italian weekend under the golden light of the October sun.
