Ferrari Spoken In Palm Beach

The annual Palm Beach Cavallino Classic is finally here.  Starting on January 22, 2014, Ferraris young and old roll onto the palm lined pristine streets of the little 10.4 square mile island of Palm Beach.  Needless to say the Ferrari population experiences a significant increase.  There goes a $3 million dollar one, the next only $48,000, then a new-ish 430 but at $145,000 is well below the median car value of Ferraris on display.

PALM BEACH HOSPITALITY The town of Palm Beach puts away the pink and green and rolls out the Ferrari red and yellow carpet.  Jewelry stores on Worth Avenue display model cars amongst their baubles.  Restaurants fly the Ferrari flag, everyone gets into the spirit.  Oh I could have so much fun snarking about the men sporting garanamal-like matchy-matchy versions of red shoes and apparel to match their cars, but I won’t.

SMART MONEY Expensive cars are not something to turn one’s envious nose up at but rather appreciate the true value of a wonderful vehicle, the investment value.  Year after year these vintage gems set record after record for selling price at auction.  And no, this is not crazy money, ROI’s make wall street returns look like a sandbox play.  A car bought for $500,000 5 years ago may go for $1.3 million today.  Many of these hand built specimens are hand-built rare pieces of automotive art and to see them casually on the street provides the same chills as hearing a talented singer belt out a supreme song.

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONEAmongst Ferrari enthusiasts there are the vintage group which has both concours cars and historic race car, the proving ground of the investment cars.  The drivers are those who enjoy their Ferrari, usually non-vintage, as their daily drivers or simply modern version of their fun cars.  Race addicts are those for whom the track experience is a lifestyle, ferrying their track only Ferrari(s) around the continent for the different Challenge series or historic events.  These are non-professional drivers to whom taking their car on to the racetrack is a hobby and an exercise in personal improvement. Finally there are the Ferrari lovers who simply marvel over the brand regardless of model for whom just being in the presence of automotive greatness is satisfying.

Come back for the re-cap.  Be sure to tweet me @TheDecorGirl  if you are at the show, say “hi” if you see me, I’ll be the gal with a camera or two – not wearing red. 🙂