An Amazing Day at Cavallino 30

Jim Weed
Volume 46 Issue 10
May 8, 2021
The Cavallino Classic is visited by Jim Weed. What a day!
Once again, I load the car and head to Florida. This time to West Palm Beach for the Cavallino Classic. Our production schedule doesn’t allow me to get away before Thursday. The print subscribers may have noticed they received their issue a day earlier than usual since I moved the mail date up by one day.
Cathy gets to fly in; we coordinate to meet at the airport at the appointed time and head off to The Breakers to get a peek at any Ferraris before the show.
Once there we run into several friends and subscribers. The excitement of another Cavallino is starting to build. After last year we were not sure it was going to happen this year.
While January was still too early to consider with the pandemic it was pushed off until April. I must say, normally having the first event of the year in southern Florida during the depth of winter is certainly something to look forward to, but sometimes the weather can be a bit iffy.
Previous Cavallinos have been cold, windy and even rainy. Mind you, there have been many warm and sunny, but West Palm Beach can be unpredictable none-the-less.
April this far south was beautiful. Sunny and warm with spring fully in the air. John Barnes could not have ordered up better weather.
We arrive to see Ferraris lined up for the Tour of Palm Beach. Among the cars were new Ferraris like the SF90, 812 Superfast and 812 GTS in addition to GTC4 Lussos and Californias. The older cars were also well represented by Boxers and Daytonas and a 330 GT 2+2. There was proof of many of these owners taking to heart Ed Gilbertson’s mantra “Ferraris are meant to be driven”!
At the reception later that evening I had the chance to sit with the same Ed Gilbertson and his wife Sherry along with Donovan Leighton and Dick Fritz at the table to enjoy conversation and stories of Ferrari escapades of days gone by. It was special to be included in this group of guys who were at the forefront of Ferrari in America.
After dinner we went outside to view the tour cars lined up in the brick courtyard. They all looked fabulous parked against the pretty flowers and low hedges of the courtyard. It was a great preview of Saturday’s event.
Another day of blue sky and warm temperatures greeted us as we pulled up to The Breakers hotel. Bits of reds, yellows and a myriad of other colors peaked through the hedges surrounding the driving range the cars were parked upon.
The croquet lawn just above held even more exquisite Ferrari history. Two 250 GTOs in the center were surrounded by other incredible Ferraris. A 212 Inter Pinin Farina Cabriolet S/N 0235 EU by Stephen Bruno graced one corner and in the other was a 342 America Vignale Cabriolet S/N 0232 AL by Dennis Garrity.
Both cabriolets were in pretty colors and with the elegant details of these very early Ferraris it was easy to imagine being rich and famous, showing up to the Ferrari factory to receive these beautiful cars directly from Enzo Ferrari, before driving off through the countryside.
Another example of luxury was shown by a black 410 Superamerica S/N 1305 SA by Kevin Cogan with a supple tan leather interior. This 1959 model clearly showed the advances in style and elegance in the seven short years between the 212 Inter and the Superamerica.
At the other end were a pair of 250 GT Lusso, S/N 4607 GT and S/N 5247 GT. One in Blu Chiaro and the other in Rosso Rubino.
Nearby was a 250 GT Boano S/N 0609 GT with an alloy body. Owned by Stephen Bruno it was clear this example had been enjoyed around the world. It was adorned with Mille Miglia and Colorado Grand decals and appeared to be ready for its next exciting adventure.
A pair of 250 GT SWB Berlinettas adorned the back row along with a couple of 275 GTBs. One a 1960 version S/N 2083 GT and the other was a 1962 S/N 3143 GT. It is interesting to notate the subtle differences between these two cars, showing the evolution of design during the production run.
The 275 GTB series was represented by the 275 GTB/C S/N 09073. There were twelve of these special cars made, all with dry-sump engines and lightweight body and chassis. The other was 275 GTB/4 S/N 09925 in dark blue with tobacco interior.
Across from the 275s were two significant Ferraris. The first was a 250 GT LWB Berlinettta, also known as a TdF. This car, S/N 0619 GT, had been renumbered. It was originally to be 0805 GT but was changed at the factory when the owner exchanged the original 0619 GT for a new car. Things were different back then.
The other Ferrari was a 250 TR, S/N 0704 TR. This car is known as the prototype of the Testa Rossa. It was rebodied in period with the TR 58 envelope body and extensively raced throughout the world. This 1957 model was competitively raced, and won, well into 1963.
It was donated to the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan, where it stayed unmolested until 1997. Still retaining all of its original components and unrestored, this is one of the most significant race cars of the late 1950s. It was really special to see it here.
Usually, the upper lawn is home to significant racing cars and vintage Ferrari customer cars. This year there were two modern Ferraris shown. Both carry on the exclusivity of owning a unique and special car.
The first one was originally to be a 599 GTB. It was commissioned by Edward Walson and inspired by the famous Fantuzzi Golden Car featured in the film, Tony Dammit. This one-off design was designated a P540 Superfast Aperta. Its gold exterior with many different design touches made for a detailed inspection. Often, one-off cars miss the boat in some aspect; this one looked good from every angle. Well done!
The other was a Sergio Spider. Built upon the 458 Speciale chassis this was one of six limited-edition models. Azzurro LoLo is electric blue and really made this car stand out. Again, as with most one-off cars, this one had many design elements to investigate.
COVID certainly hurt the number of Ferraris at Cavallino; there were fewer cars overall. The saving grace was the quality of Ferraris was extremely high.
One of the things I did like was each car spaced out on the croquet lawn allowed better viewing and better photo opportunity.
The last few years it seemed the cars were jammed in so tight there was no room to walk between or a chance to step back and admire the beautiful lines on each car. Maybe the cars will be limited in the future so all will get a better look.
There were also fewer cars farther down the driving range; again, they were spaced out and with more room between cars it made viewing a much more rewarding experience.
Ferrari models of all types were represented from the newest SF90 to a 250 GTE in the far corner of the lawn. All were lovely and I got to visit with many owners as I wandered through.
One of the unknowns is how Cavallino will be next year. After thirty years of the Cavallino Classic at The Breakers, John Barnes has passed the torch onto Canossa Events. Canossa Events organize experiences around the world from luxury tours to big rallies.
They appear to be the perfect partner to keep the event going well into the future. Their expertise will enhance the experience and even grow Cavallino in ways never thought of before.
During the awards ceremony John Barnes officially announced the new organization with Luigi Orlandini as chairman and CEO of Canossa Events present. Orlandini welcomed all the participants of Cavallino and trophy winners.
The highlight of the evening was bestowing John Barnes the title of ‘Mayor’ of Cavallino and presenting a tri-color Italian sash to make Barnes ‘officially’ mayor.
It is a major milestone when an event passes onto a new generation. Cavallino Magazine and the Cavallino Classic have been shepherded through the last forty and thirty years respectively by John Barnes. His dedication to our hobby and history has brought forth many great things, but it is time to pass the torch.
I can’t think of a better time or company to pass it onto. Thank you, Mr. Barnes, for all you have done.
Additional sights from Cavallino 30
Running boat with 375 F1 motor drawing a crowd
Schumacher F1 2001
More interesting things to see, a Monza SP2
Sergio on the croquet lawn