2011 Cavallino Classic – Ferrari Days in Palm Beach

The judges are out early on the lawn at The Breakers inspecting a 1954 Ferrari 375 America Vignale.

Sorry for the absence but it’s that car thing again, the 20th Annual Ferrari Cavallino Classic event in Palm Beach.   Of course for me, it’s also about design.  Designers look at almost everything with a how, what and why mentality.  Every creation is an example of a problem solved.  Whether it is a car, a chair, room or a building I view each for was the problem solved effectively and efficiently with the elements used.

My four days of “design” study started at the 11th annual La Bella Macchina, a private reception featuring 100+ Ferraris — parked amongst private jets at the Jet Aviation hangar at the Palm Beach International Airport.

Yes, I have a thing for airplanes too so of course I’m not going to pass up an opportunity to climb aboard over 10 different jets such as a Learjet, a couple of Hawkers, Cessna Citation and the latest entry in the corporate jet market from Airbus. Friday of course starts at 9 am at the Palm Beach International Raceway with the sounds of roaring engines.  Cars at the track do have something to do with color as different cars field their owner’s favorite color schemes or showcase a paint scheme from the car’s vintage racing history.  Here I am looking over this unique 1952 Ferrari 212 Export Fontana.I was bummed my favorite vintage racing Ferrari, a 1962 blue and yellow 250 GTO (above) was absent.  Though vintage track attendance seemed particularly low compared to past years.  This picture is from 2008.Of course we were very exited to see the new Ferrari 458 Italia on the track.  This new streamlined design with it’s soft curves takes from the past as well as much effort by the designers to eliminate any possible airflow drag.  Of course it looks good too!  Both dedicated racers and those taking their new rides out for familiarization runs were present.   Personally I’ve found this the best way to learn about a new car and how it handles.

Friday afternoon’s downpours ended so everyone could enjoy wandering around numerous yachts at the Showboats Yacht Hop at the Rybovich Marina in West Palm Beach.  I of course complain again of the typical “sea of beige.”  Sorry but boat and water means color in my book.  Beige chenille just seems so out of place as does a glossy inlaid cherry dining table on the exterior deck.  It’s a boat, an outdoor dining table needs to be practical.  At least the dining chairs were teak.   Again, I like to study the use of space as well as the design elements.  I did see some very smart bathrooms tucked in the confines of a yacht.  Kitchens were nice too, lots of engineered countertops (Zodiaq Quartz, Caesarstone, and more).

Saturday was the Concorso d’Eleganza on the lawn at The Breakers, mecca for Ferrari enthusiasts.  “It’s like Christmas morning,” as my husband describes the need to be up before the sun to watch the cars being placed on the field.  I’ll post more about this event on a later entry as I’m still cataloging all the photos.  Same can be said for Classic Sports Sunday at Mar-A-Lago.  More to come…