Imagine someone tells you they are going to gather the most beautiful vintage Ferrari automobiles ever made and display them on a lawn in one of the most beautiful places on earth.
Welcome to Cavallino.
The setting is unbeatable. It takes place in Palm Beach – which can be best described as the ‘Monte Carlo’ of the East Coast – except even more beautiful. The meeting takes place at the legendary Breakers hotel, an opulent and majestic hotel that is the perfect setting. Then you have the cars. As the word Cavallino suggests – this is a Ferrari only event. The most beautiful Ferrari from the 1950s – 1970s are there to admire (plus a few supercars). These are the cars that were, after all, on the cover of Cavallino magazine (a superb periodical of vintage Ferrari that I highly recommend). Now I got to see them in real.
It was an overwhelming experience.
Where else but Cavallino can you find not one but two NART 275 cars (remember there are only 10 of them built), not one but two 250 GTO. A 250 TR not to mention countless one off models like a 250 Ferrari special (which was my favourite car of the show) and a rare 250 SWB by Bertone (maybe my second favourite). Instead of speaking more about the cars let us look at some pictures. I choose to take mostly details of the cars and rarely show the whole car – as I don’t like seeing large patches of grass in the picture (the cars were positioned on a lawn after all).
Only a short comment on the state of the classic car market after the Scottsdale auctions. One expert summed it up this way: Unless you have an exceptional car with exceptional history – the market as a whole is on the weak side. For more on the outlook for classic cars in 2018 see our post earlier this year.
As a member of the press I was allowed to gain access in the early morning hours when the cars were being set – up. The advantage was that there were hardly any people at 7.45 in the morning. The first car that was parked all alone was the 250 GTO.
The 250 GTO and its Kamm tail – remains for many what Ferrari is all about.
Interior is simple and clean. Notice open gate gearshift – typical Ferrari of the 1950s and 1960s.
There were not one but two 275 NART cars present – pretty impressive given that only 10 were made.
Many view the 275 NART convertible as the most elegant Ferrari ever made – I personally would prefer a 250 California or a Series One 250 Pininfarina Convertible.
Notice not one single person in the background. It was pure heaven to be with just the cars and no people – early in the morning.
Let us take a closer look at the NART sign.
NART = North American Racing Team – started by Luigi Chinetti in the 1950s to promote Ferrari in the US market.
Moving on to another open car – the 250 California – both versions were present. Below the long wheel base LWB version.
The SWB base version was also present see below.
Another car I love is the 250 Series 1 Convertible Pininfarina with the ‘American tail fins’ – delightful.
The front of the car is no less beautiful and is owned by Peter Kalikow a NY based collector whom I interviewed a few years ago.
One of most unusual Ferrari present was this rare 250 SWB by Bertone which also won a prize. Notice the oversize badge on the bonnet.
This car had the most beautiful quilted interior and unusual gear shift.
The back was also unusual – it looked much like a Maserati Sebring in my view.
The interior of early Ferrari’s are a delight especially when they are bodied by Vignale.
Look at the door handle and the window winder. This is real automotive art.
Staying with interiors-I also loved this cloth interior of the 275 GTB. Must be a early one given the steering wheel and wooden dashboard.
Indeed it was a lovely short nose version.
I took a small break to walk around the grounds the breakers hotel where Cavallino took place.
The pool with view to the ocean. What a dream setting.
Let us get back to cars. More specifically Ferrari. There were a few supercars there, and here is my favourite of them all. The Enzo.
There were many lovely colors to admire at Cavallino – different shades of blue.
On a dino.
And on this wonderful 375 America.
And this superb 400 Superamerica.
Perhaps my favourite car of all was this 250 Speciale with unusual tail lights similar to a S1 250 Convertible. Also bodied by Pininfarina.
Notice the 3 louvers that are also found on some other 250 models like the 250 LWB Tour de France.
The interior of this 250 Speciale was beautiful – the tobacco interior with the outside color matched perfectly.
One last detail seen.
Below the interior of another Ferrari (I think the model was a 340 America) showing an 8 day clock by Jaeger that also the Agnelli Ferrari (375 America) has.
I stayed until the bitter end when everyone was gone and only this beautiful 275 GTB was left behind. In front you see the marvellous Breakers hotel.
Cavallino was an awesome experience – I will be back next year to learn more about Ferrari in golden years of 1950- 1970 and the coachbuilders that made them.
My sincere thank you to Crista from Cavallino for organising my press pass. For more information on Cavallino please visit their website here.
