29-01-2025
Coolest Cars—and Enzo Ferrari's Great-Grandson—at Cavallino Classic
Since its inception in 1992, the Cavallino Classic has stood as the largest global event dedicated exclusively to Ferrari automobiles, organizers say. With events in Dubai, Modena, and one coming up in Sydney, it's become a truly global happening. But the one that started it all has been held for 34 years now each January at The Breakers Hotel in glamorous Palm Beach, Florida, where those of certain pedigree spend their winters during "the season."
The most interesting Ferrari at this year's Palm Beach gathering may have been one of the show's investors, the great grandson of Enzo Ferrari himself, Enzo Mattioli Ferrari, grandson of Piero. Enzo the Younger is CEO of Ferrari Family Investments and became an investor in the show last year. More than an investor, he is now president of Cavallino Inc., which organizes the concours. From all reports, he seemed to be having a fantastic pinnacle of this prestigious four-day celebration is the Concorso d'Eleganza on Saturday, which you see here. A total of 140 Ferraris came from Europe and America, with 100 of them entered for judging. Cavallino draws over 2,000 attendees from around the world, organizers estimate.
If there's a flaw—which might not even be a flaw—it may seem like there's an emphasis on judging the cars with the goal of increasing their value, at least that's what was written in the program. In that sense, it's a little like Bloomington Gold for Ferraris, if that's not too gauche.
But there is little question that Cavallino Classic is and remains the greatest gathering of Prancing Horses in the world. Scroll on and see if you car won the "Overall Outstanding Ferrari Competition" award at this year's Cavallino Classic, and deservedly so. It's one of only 36 GTOs ever made and the middle car of the three 1964 series 2 250 GTOs constructed. It is considered just about the most desirable collector car in the world. This one is owned by American collector Aaron Hsu.
It has an impressive racing provenance. In 1964, it was driven by all of Ferrari's F1 drivers, including John Surtees (world champion and the season's leading driver), Lorenzo Bandini, Ludovico Scarfiotti, and Pedro Rodriguez. It was also raced by the 1961 world champion, American Phil Hill, by Jean Guichet (1964 winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans), and by future member of the works Ferrari Formula 1 team Mike Parkes. A total of six Ferrari Formula 1 drivers raced this car in World Championship competitions. It is the second GTO originally manufactured with the '1964' body design. Acquired in 1972 by the French collector Pierre Bardinon, it joined his fabled Ferrari collection at Mas Du Clos, Bardinon's own private race track in France. Bardinon once told Cavallino Magazine that, 'If I could only keep one car, it would be this one.' In 2014, by which time both Bardinon and his wife had passed away, the car, meticulously maintained, was purchased directly from the family by its current custodian Aaron may have seen this when it showed at Pebble Beach in 2022, where it also ran in The Tour, driving all over the Monterey Peninsula after having just been new to Stefano Casiraghi, second husband of Princess Caroline of Monaco, the F40 was the greatest thing in the world when it debuted in the late '80s, the last car developed under Enzo's watchful eye. This one even retains its original books and tools. It's had five owners and just 2,500 miles since Ferrari 342 America (0232 AL) is a rare, one-of-six grand touring cars crafted in 1952 by Vignale. Designed for Swiss industrialist Otto Wild, it features a powerful V12 and innovative luxury elements. Impeccably restored, it's Ferrari Classiche-certified and a celebrated icon at top concours events of only 29 599 XXs made, this is one of fewer than 10 that came with the Evoluzione package that was lighter and had more aerodynamic pieces to make it a real screamer on the XX Program was launched in 2005 to take extreme and special cars onto the track at private events. The result was a small handful of cars that benefitted from the most thorough technological research, overseen and managed by Ferrari engineers who, through ongoing data collection, "paved the way for the development of solutions that will then be implemented in Ferrari production vehicles."The 599 XX has active aero and unique Pirelli tires to increase its performance on the Ferrari 212 series included 'Export' and 'Inter' models, with the Export variant designed for competition. Chassis 0106E, ordered by an Italian nobleman, later belonged to British collector David Clarke for nearly 40 years. Clarke was known for his passion for Ferrari and Modenese sports 212 series has a grille that seems to be saying to competitors, "I am here to eat you, surrender now."Cavallino World Tour: this car participated in all three Cavallino Concours around the world. This meticulously preserved Ferrari 288 GTO, one of only 272 produced, is finished in Rosso Corsa over Nero leather and previously owned by Ralph Lauren. Restored by Ferrari with Ferrari Classiche certification, it boasts multiple accolades, including Platinum and Restoration Awards at Cavallino Abu Dhabi 2024. Powered by a twin-turbo 2.8-liter V8 with 395 hp, Kevlar body panels, and a lightweight chassis, it exemplifies Ferrari's 1980s engineering and serves as the foundation for its iconic supercar car has been a part of the Cogan Collection in the US for over 30 years. RM restored it and Ferrari Classiche certified it. Kevin Cogan, a real estate developer from Kentucky (not the Indycar driver of the same name) has always loved Ferraris.
"The first time Kevin Cogan heard the exhaust note of a Ferrari, he became hooked on the Prancing Horse," wrote Ferrari in its inhouse magazine. "He bought his first Ferrari in 1980 by scouring the classified ads of the Los Angeles Times—a 308 GTS from 1978—that he and Antoinette drove all the way home from LA to Kentucky, beginning a lifelong love affair that has encompassed not only all things Ferrari, but all things Italy too."The Ferrari 166 Inter was the first road car to feature the 'prancing horse' emblem. It's a historic and prestigious model, Cavallino says. Powered by a 2-liter V12 by Gioacchino Colombo, it delivers 110 hp at 6,500 rpm. Its name reflects Ferrari's tradition of highlighting displacement of each cylinder, marking a key milestone in the marque's 212 Inter featured a 2.562-liter 60-degree Colombo V12 bored out to provide a bigger displacement to make 148 hp. The chassis was inspired by the 166 MM, with modifications aimed at transmitting the higher power output to the road. Top speed was 125 mph. The later versions saw the introduction of a tubular chassis known as the 'Tuboscocca,' which increased structural by Pininfarina and produced in a limited series of just six examples, the Ferrari Sergio embodies the spirit and values of the Cambiano company on the occasion of 60 years of collaboration with the Prancing Horse. The car was called Sergio in honor of Sergio Pininfarina, the great designer from whose pen came many of the greatest Ferraris ever made. This roadster highlights sportiness and emotional owner has had this 250, chassis number 2083, for 40 years. It finally won the Chairman's Trophy after having been parked on the lawn at the Cavallino Classics more than 30 times. It has race provenance, too, having won the Coppa D'Oro at Monza in 1960 driven by Carlo is a long-wheelbase Series II, constructed on the extended 102-inch wheelbase chassis. Completed in February 1963 and identified by Pininfarina as job no. 99549, this Coupe Aerodinamico features covered late 250 California Spyder (7th from last one made) features narrower rear fenders and was sold new by Rizzaghi Motors in San Francisco, where it spent most of its life. Conceived as a simpler version of the 250 GT Cabriolet and a link to the 250 'Tour de France,' it combines Enzo Ferrari's mechanical precision with Scaglietti's sleek Pininfarina design on a 102-inch Ferrari 212 Inter Vignale (Chassis 0135 E), launched in 1951, blends racing heritage with luxury. The model excelled in motorsport and cruising, winning top events like the original road races at Pebble Beach. Restored and owned by American racer and Harley dealer Rodin Younessi, it symbolizes Ferrari's innovation and elegant V12-powered unique 1969 Ferrari 365 GTB4 Daytona 'Spyder' Speciale, built for one Signor Rissi of Milan, debuted on the Pininfarina stand at the Paris Auto Show. The only Daytona designated as a 'Speciale,' it features a zip-out rear window, brushed aluminum roll bar, and distinctive bumpers. Previously in the Matsuda Collection of Japan for 25 years, it is Ferrari Classiche certified and appeared at the 2012 Pebble Beach Concours. Capable of 180 mph, it represents the last of the classic front-engined V12 paid particular attention to styling details that influenced the car's coefficient of drag and aerodynamic lift characteristics—with impressive results. Cabin ergonomics were improved and the shape of the seats revised to better suit the sporty driving style this type of car deserved. On all versions, low profile tires and 16-inch alloy wheels were available as an fabulous Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida, stands as the centerpiece around which the Cavallino Classic spreads. The first one was built in 1896 by Henry Morrison Flagler, who had accumulated a vast fortune with the Standard Oil Company as a longtime partner of John D. Rockefeller. Like the rest of us, Flagler liked the winter climate of South Florida and started pouring his fortune into building hotels, roughly timed with the expansion of his own Florida East Coast Railroad, which brought a regular supply of tourists from America's frozen Northeast in the days before everyone had cars and drove everywhere. Instead of asking for rooms at the main hotel, many regular Palm Beach guests asked for rooms 'down by the breakers.' The name stuck and when Flagler doubled the size of the Palm Beach Inn for the 1901 season, he renamed the hotel The what guests they were, coming from families like Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, and Astors; the tycoons Andrew Carnegie and JP Morgan; the publisher William Randolph Hearst (our guy!); the five-and-dime kings WT Grant and JC Penney; and even assorted European nobility and US would they think of Cavallino Classic? Chances are they'd feel right at home.
Lovely location for a Tour is a lovely drive along the Florida coast in cars entered in the Cavallino Classic. It departed Friday, Jan. 24, from the Ferretti Group luxury yacht showroom in Ft. Lauderdale, cruised along Highway 1A1 and the Jimmy Buffet Memorial Highway through Boca Raton, and arrived at The Breakers at 6:00 pm. As you can see, it had the complete cooperation of the Florida State Patrol.
Ferrari Testarossa on the Tour.
Cars skirt the beach in Boca.
Ferrari F50 flying along on its way to The Breakers.
The Tour along the Florida coast is for cars entered in the Cavallino Classic. It departed Friday, Jan. 24, from the Ferretti Group Showroom of luxury yachts in Ft. Lauderdale, raced through Boca Raton, and arrived at The Breakers at 6:00 pm.
Attendees got to see the North American debut of the Ferrari F80.
The Cavallino Classic includes this tour along the Florida coast.
The Cavallino Classic includes this tour along the Florida coast, ending back at the Breakers.
The Cavallino Classic includes this tour along the Florida coast, ending back at the Breakers.
The Cavallino Classic includes this tour along the Florida coast, ending back at the Breakers.
The Cavallino Classic includes this tour along the Florida coast, ending back at the Breakers.
