Even in its 34th edition, the Ennstal-Classic enters the final weeks of preparation with an impressive field of participants. Before the rally gets underway in Gröbming on July 23, the newly released entry list is already building anticipation.
Leading the field are two rare Bugattis: a Type 13 and a Type 30. These original period machines are not only outstanding examples of historic engineering — it is also a remarkable achievement by both man and machine to complete the approximately 900-kilometer route with such “dinosaurs.” Chapeau!
The enormous variety of this year’s field becomes evident right from the first rows of the starting grid. Alongside the Bugattis are a Bentley 3 Litre Speed Model, a Bentley 4.5 Litre Le Mans Open Tourer, and a charming Riley 9 Brooklands — automobiles from an era when motorsport still meant true adventure. Adding Italian flair to the pre-war field is an Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS Zagato, one of the most legendary sports models of its time. Italian passion will also lead the Ennstal-Classic itself: the official 2026 lead car will be provided by the new mobility partner, Alfa Romeo.
In Period II, a veritable armada of British Aston Martins appears, led by a highly original 1933 “Short Chassis Le Mans” (chassis F3/286/S), accompanied by additional Le Mans and Mk II models. They are joined by three BMW 328s as well as a French aristocrat: the Delahaye 135 S Compétition Court, better known as “Blue Buzz II.” Built in 1936, this legendary Le Mans competitor, with its history in the Écurie Bleue racing team, forms the centerpiece of the pre-war field.
In the post-war category, it is the open sports cars and elegant grand tourers that capture attention this year. An Italian team will compete in what is arguably one of the most elegant automobiles in history: a Lancia Aurelia B24 Spider. With its iconic panoramic windshield and brilliant V6 transaxle concept, it is considered a masterpiece by Pininfarina. The strong Lancia contingent is further complemented by several Aurelia B20 GTs and a charming Lancia Ardea — automobiles that perfectly embody Italian engineering of the 1950s.
Alongside them, a Ferrari 275 GTB/4 N.A.R.T. Spider Conversion is sure to attract attention. The name N.A.R.T. refers to Luigi Chinetti’s North American Racing Team, which played a key role in initiating these open-top versions at the time. In total, eight Ferraris — ranging from the 250 GTE and 275 GTB to the Dino — will line up at the start. Equally impressive is the remarkable concentration of Porsche 356 models: Speedster, Carrera, and Rallye versions clearly demonstrate the enduring importance of the Zuffenhausen marque at the Ennstal-Classic.
But that is not all — because at the end of the field, an entirely new category makes its debut.
The new Ennstal-Classic Touring class delivers exactly what enthusiasts had hoped for: the crème de la crème of the sports car and GT era of the 1970s and 1980s. The Touring field is led by a 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7. As the first production model featuring the distinctive “ducktail” spoiler and the 2.7-liter flat-six engine, it represented the pinnacle of Porsche development at the time — a pure homologation special that today ranks among the most coveted 911s ever built.
And the performance does not diminish behind it: a BMW M1, a BMW 3.0 CSL, and a Porsche Supercup car prove impressively that the Touring entrants are anything but second-tier attractions. On the contrary, they represent an era of automotive and motorsport history that today feels more relevant than ever and remains highly sought after by collectors around the world.
It is precisely this blend of pre-war rarities, elegant classics from the 1950s and 1960s, and iconic sports cars that already makes the Ennstal-Classic 2026 an extraordinary automotive celebration.