Akron Ohio is where Ferrari and other car nuts congregate to celebrate automobiles. The Ohio Kidney Foundation and several others benefit from this show.

Wow, did September get busy in a hurry.  As you read this the FCA Annual Meet has come and gone. Its report will be in the next FML.

Between the FML and cars in the shop it has been very busy. One of those, no, two Ferraris are going to Charlotte, one is entered into the concours. Mine is display only.

Then David Nelson calls from Akron and wants to know if I am coming to Molto Bella. Well… OK. How could I say no to such a long-time friend. Of all the events I go to; this is one of my favorites.

Ohio in September must be one of best times of the year. Crisp cool mornings give way to warm afternoons. This year, founders of the event, David Nelson and Frank Todaro, ordered perfect weather conditions. I don’t know who they paid to get it, but the orders were from on high.

The event was created to honor Todaro’s father Mel Todaro, who passed away from kidney disease and over the last twelve years this event has raised thousands of dollars for not only the Kidney Foundation but also several other non-profit groups in the surrounding Ohio area.

Maybe Mel Todaro had a hand in the weather?

The event kicks off with a dinner on Friday night at Todaro’s Party Center. With a name like Todaro the food choices were Italian. There was a feast available at the buffet.

What would a charity dinner be like without loosening up the wallet to bid on items displayed around the room or a chance to live bid on many donated items from the sponsors.

Items from Summit Racing and Coca-Cola, the main sponsors, were mixed in with Cornwall Tools. Jacks and toolboxes were mixed in with Coca-Cola coolers.

A large lighted garage sign was the grand finale with a $21,000 bid going to charity.

Sunday morning we arrive at Hale Farm. This historic area has many vintage buildings and is a look into 19th century life with many active trade demonstrations such as brick making, pottery and blacksmithing.

Intermixed among the buildings and paths are automobiles. All kinds of automobiles. Mopar fans can cruise through many different models and years. Mustangs and other Ford products grace in another area. 

Jaguar and Rolls-Royce, both new and old, in front of another building. Being this is rural Ohio there is a section displaying tractors and trucks. All are looking splendid in the warm sunshine.

For the even more obscure, there were Rat Rods and vintage bicycles, although they did occupy separate areas.

Across the street is the village. Here you will find various homes and workshops along with a church. This area is filled with more exotic machinery.

Corvette and McLaren, Viper and Lamborghini each occupy an area in front of a historic building. Porsche and BMWs fill the grass near another building.

Then there are the Ferraris. The open field in the center of the village is filled with prancing horses. The earliest is a 250 GT/L Lusso brought by Mark Biché. The latest was a 296 GTB brought by Cauley Ferrari to display.

The Molto Bella event is all for charity and Cauley generously helped in addition to bringing five Ferraris. In their area you could see a Purosangue, Roma Spider, 296 GTB, 12Cilindri and the best of all was a 296 Challenge model.

Another interesting Ferrari was a 500 Superfast brought by Tom Vail. This car was supposed to be there last year but refused to start and a 365 GT was put in its place. This year the Superfast cooperated and it was good to see it there.

The rest of the field ran the gamut of 308 GTB and 348 Spider to F40 and 488 Pista Spider. Most of the modern Ferraris were represented with F12berlinetta, California, 360 Spider and F430 filling many of the Ferrari spots.

David Nelson brought a number of his own cars among which were his 275 GTB Alloy RHD 6C and my favorite, only because I got to drive it to the show, his 599 GTO.

Molto Bella has just gotten better each year. There must have been several thousand people who came to enjoy the cars. There was something for everybody regardless of what your automotive taste loves.

The best part of the show is it is just a show, no judging, no regrets. Come and share your car and enjoy showing it off. I love talking to owners about their car and you can feel the passion they have.

Whether it was a tractor or Ferrari, everybody was passionate about their piece of art. The story of a barn find, or a scrapbook of self-restoration, every owner had a story. Isn’t that what binds car people together.

I have noticed a trend among the people who either displayed a car or came to see the cars. More female owners and drivers are interested in owning and preserving automotive history.

I was surprised to talk to several who had come to see or display. No, this is NOT my husband’s car! Or I left my husband at home so I could enjoy the cars. It is always good to see the passion move towards a new group of people.

 This event should be on your calendar for next year. Come to Ohio and have some fun showing your Ferrari or anything else that drives your passion. 

The fun and fellowship are contagious and of course it is all for a good cause. The good things that come from an event like this are far reaching. The ASAP Foundation (Akron Society for Answered Prayers) is the entity behind the show. It donates the proceeds to the community. 

The Kidney Foundation of Ohio, The Harry Donovan, Jr. Valor Home and Grace House in Akron, are just a few of the charities the Foundation supports. Thank you, David Nelson and Frank Todaro, for all you do!