Cavallino Classic 31

Jim Weed
Volume 47 Issue 03
Feb 6, 2022
Canossa Events takes over from John Barnes' winning formula for the Cavallino Classic. One car from each year of Ferrari's 75 years was displayed. There were also special one-offs and rare examples to see.
The thirty-first year of the Cavallino Classic was held in West Palm Beach from January 20th through January 23rd.
The first Cavallino Classic was in 1992. John Barnes, the man behind Cavallino magazine brought his vision of a Ferrari event to life.
It would be held at an elegant hotel. It would place beautiful Ferraris on finely manicured lawns. There would be a day of exercising and honing driving skill on a circuit where Ferraris could be driven at speed.
There would be a symposium where panels made up of historians, restorers and judges could discuss in detail the finer points of a model’s design. This would help to further and expand the knowledge base of how and why a particular Ferrari was important.
For thirty years the Cavallino Classic held to this formula. For thirty years the event has been guided and refined by John Barnes and his team. It would be wrong to say all good things must come to an end.
Mr. Barnes realized it was time to step away and Canossa Events Srl has purchased both the Cavallino magazine and the Cavallino Classic event. We were introduced to the new owners in 2021.
This year Canossa controlled the event. Canossa did the planning. Canossa did the groundwork. Canossa was in charge.
Thursday still had a track day. It was a little farther south at The Concours Club. This private club offered owners a chance to stretch the legs of their steeds with some quality track time.
A tour on Friday gave the adventurous a chance to drive their Ferrari while enjoying various sights along the Florida coast.
The symposium reviewed three different models, a 250 GTO Series II, a 512 BB/LM and the 365 P Speciale Tre Posti.
The Saturday concours is the highlight of the event. This year seventy-five years of Ferrari were celebrated with one car from each year represented. The Ferraris were lined up and down the lawn and around back up the other side. The first, a 1947 166 Spyder Corsa; the last a Monza SP2.
There was a nice display of current production cars including the 296 GTB and 812 Competizione filling out the 2022 cars.
Among the seventy-five years of Ferrari were many notable examples. It would be easy to recite the 166 Barchetta and 250 Europa, 250 GTO and California Spyder that were there. There were Daytonas and Dinos, Boxers and Testarossas. 308s and F430 Spiders and farther down 458s and 812 Superfasts.
But a few of the cars that were really special were ones not often seen, anywhere. A white 365 California is rare with 14 made. Another white, or rather Ivory, Ferrari was a 365 GTS with 20 made.
These gems made the display special indeed.
On a personal note, there was one Ferrari that I couldn’t wait to see. A 1957 250 GT LWB Berlinetta S/N 0703 GT. This car was owned by one of the principals of FAF, John Apen. He vintage raced it through the 1980s, and even drove it from Atlanta to Monterey in 1994; then raced it in the Historics.
I racked up many miles in this car both on the street and at the track. It was good to meet an old friend.
Which brings me to the other wonderful thing about Cavallino; meeting old friends. It is the cars that bring us together and strengthen the bonds of friendship. I always come away feeling like I’ve added someone new to my circle.
Up on the croquet lawn were the usual very special Ferraris. The best of the best. There a couple 250 GT Series II Cabriolets displayed near three 400 Superamericas.
A 250 TR shared the space with two 250 GT SWB Berlinettas and a 250 GTO. A pair of 275 GTBs, one a Pininfarina Speciale and the other a 4-cam.
The most exciting car was a 365 P Speciale Tre Posti. The first one was made especially for Gianni Agnelli. Chinetti loved it so much he commissioned another be built and it remained within his collection for many years. Now privately owned it has been lightly restored, preserving much of its originality.
This first year of Canossa has caused some discontent. There has been much in the rumor mills about things that have not happened yet.
There were some hard feelings about some of the judges and judging but I would remind, this is the first year Canossa was in charge and there were some rough edges that should be addressed next year.
Cavallino is a premier event; it would be a shame if it were to disappear. Canossa should review everything and take the lessons to heart. If they do, I think Cavallino will grow and thrive as they gain more experience in the American market.