What a most excellent car show this was. A Ferrari for every budget. From fixers at 40K (Yes, some were for sale) to a $15M La Ferrari, the gamut was covered quite nicely. Very nicely. Not being a high volume manufacture there were an awful lot of one off models here. All told the 140 cars here for the day covered the gamut from the curvaceous sexy 50s to the current sinister, evil, menacing La Ferrari.
Also at this show were a few other super cars, exotic and downright sexy performance sedans. I'm talking Saleen S7, Maserati Quattroporte and Ghibli and a selection of Aston Martin.
But enough of the other makes, lets focus on the main event, Ferrari. This is a storied brand, the lustful dreams of young men and old alike. It history on the race track was translated in to road cars for the public, or at least those in the upper incomes. Its a brand that exudes speed, style, class, and wealth like no other. Its pure sex appeal with 4 wheels planted firmly on the ground sweeping ess curves.
My absolute favorite car of the show, wasn't one of the super cars, but this 1952 212 Export Coupe. Right hand drive and flawlessly restored. Not a dimple in the paint, a pit in the chrome. The leather on the seats seductively draped, tucked and folded. I want one just like it. Or just a ride in it up the 1 from SaMo to Port Hueneme. Am I asking for too much in life?
Engine where a back seat would be in any other car. The 458 Speciale V8 screams and sings like nothing else I've ever hear before. Trust me, I'd rather have that next to my ears than a whining toddler in a car seat kicking my seat back. Any. Day.
I wish I had scribbled more information on this car onto the old note pad or had the foresight to snap a pic of its information placard. This was one of the true beauties of the show. All curvaceous sexy curves. Voluptuous even. Something about the cars from the 50s and 60s that I prefer over the new models. These cars were sex on 4 wheels, something few other manufacturers have ever really duplicated.
And what's a Ferrari show without a few Dinos to illustrate what really put the brand on consumers radar in the late 60s into the early 70s. Produced for a few short years it was the "affordable" Ferrari sub brand with potent V6 or V8 motors. They had everything to offer in term of fun to drive spirited handling, sexy bodies of a Ferrari only no V12 or high price tag. It was a hit for the brand. By 1974 they decided to brand all as Ferrari and with it the demure spitfire that was Dino went with it.
1984 Ferrari launched the Testarossa..the world took notice. Fast, incredibly fast and powerful for the era...while everyone else was mired in the the malaise era they did something about it. Made a fast, powerful car, MPG be damned, CAFE be damned car and put the world on notice that those regulations didn't mean the end to fun cars. They sold and sold well in spite of its nearly 185K price tag and gas guzzler tax. I think this car and its subsequent variations lit the imaginations of designers and started the super car craze that we are riding right now. Even 30 years later this is a drop dead gorgeous automobile. It has stood the test of time.
And I end this post with the top dog of the Ferrari line up today. A road going super car like few others. The La Ferrari. Batman only wishes his car looked as evil wicked mean and nasty.
First show is April 19 adjacent to Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park. Its the Fabulous Fords Forever show that covers everything Ford made from 1905 to the current model year. Sometimes there are even teasers for coming production cars. There will be a huge showing of Mustangs. Without a doubt this is by FAR the best single manufacture show in So. Cal.
I can tell you parking is tight in the area later in the day. Arrive early to beat the crows.
Time: 10am-6pm. Location:Beach Blvd at La Palms, Buena Park, CA 90620 MAP HERE. WEB SITE
The following weekend is the Concorsco Ferrari '15 held in Old Town Pasadena. Its open free to the public and will included hundreds of Ferrari's along the stretch of Colorado from Raymond Avenue to Pasadena Avenue. Quite the collection of cars.
Also known as Ferraris on Colorado, this signature event hosted by the Ferrari Club of America
Southwest Region delights over 5,000 owners, enthusiasts and spectators each year.
Impressive Ferraris from around the country will line Colorado Boulevard from Pasadena
Avenue to Raymond Avenue. Adding to the entertainment will be a vast array of sponsors and
partners displaying exceptional sports and luxury cars, offering quality accessories & fine
apparel and introducing various automotive related services.
This Ferrari exclusive annual concours is free and open to the public. Ferraris from 2004 and
earlier are eligible for judging. Judging will follow FCA National Guidelines IAC/PFA
(International Advisory Council for the Preservation of Ferrari Automobiles). Awards in up to ten
classes will be made at the conclusion of the event by an esteemed panel of Ferrari experts.
Date April 26, 2015, 10AM - 3PM West Colorado Blvd, Pasadena CA MAP HEREWEB SITE
