Palm Beach Cavallino Classic

I had been invited as chief class judge for the Cavallino Classic Concours Modena and accepted. I was responsible for two classes. On my own money I drove from Zurich, Switzerland, where I live, to Modena, Italy. I paid for my own hotel and for all my expenses. All good, no problem and fully accepted by me. My wife joined me that weekend. I spent the entire day judging. It was a total chaos, we did not even receive all the car information and documents. Several of the judges had never judged before at a concours, total newbies, and especially lacked complete knowledge of the IAC/PFA judging system and rules. The day was brutally hot (almost 40 degrees Celsius all day), we did not even have a room for the judges meetings in the Villa Casa Maria Luigia in the outskirts of Modena. Saturday evening was the awards banquet at that place with food said to have been prepared by cooking superstar Massimo Bottura. As judge I had received one (1) free ticket for that dinner. I did ask for a second dinner ticket for my wife. The organisers forced me to buy one dinner ticket for: EURO 1'000 (one thousand Euros). Just for the dinner on Saturday night. The food was a total joke and absolutely terrible. We were 8 people sitting at the same table, everybody had the same impression: Never again. I felt particularly sorry for the owner of a superb 250 GT SWB Berlinetta from Switzerland, whom I had personally convinced to show his car and to bring it to Modena. The judging team responsible for this man's class (not my two classes), had been so slow all day and totally inexperienced that they spent way too much time with the other cars and in the end forgot/ran out of time to also check out/judge that SWB. That car was the last in its class. The owner wasn't even informed and had been waiting all day for the judges. This man, a major collector and highly renowned Swiss businessman, will never come back to this mickey-mouse event.

A year later I planned to attend Cavallino Palm Beach again. I am aware that the Moroso track is no longer available and not part of the program anymore. All good. As an alternative they had a track day on Thursday at the Opa-Locka airport near Miami. A good 2 hrs drive south of Palm Beach, all OK. To me, coming with an 12 hour flight from Zurich to Miami, I did not just want to attend Saturday's concours alone, I naturally also wanted to attend the track day. Hence I asked the organisers what it would take to visit Opa-Locka circuit (Concours Club) on Thursday (not bringing or driving any car, just visiting). The answer was: You have to pay US$ 5'000 (five thousand) to visit the track on Thursday. What a total joke and rip-off. In the end I cancelled my entire trip.

I then repeatedly contacted the two men in charge of the organisation (by telephone and by email). They "promised" to call me back. They never did. By pure coincidence, a year later (August 2022), I walked into one of these two men while shopping with my wife in downtown Monterey/CA during the Monterey Car Week. I asked that guy what happened. He answered extremely rude and claimed he had sent me several mails. Right on the spot I did carefully check my entire email inbox for the last two years. I had never received any emails from that organiser. Nothing, zero. I then asked him to provide me/forward the emails he claimed he had apparently sent to me earlier. He promised to do so. He never did. He is a liar.

On Thursday 17 August 2023 I attended a very private high-end invite at a major collector's mansion in Carmel Valley, CA. All the big names were there and it was a wonderful evening. By pure coincidence the main Cavallino Palm Beach organiser showed up and I ran into him at the bar. The man was clearly lost and couldn't even remember my name.

I could easily go on and on.
No further comment.

Marcel Massini

 

Marcel thank you for your raw truth about these events being overtaken by mostly non owners turning our cars into money making events.
I am not in a $ or reputational position as you but I will not be going to Pebble or Palm Beach ever again.
Howard

 

Those who know me, know that I was a massive fan of Cavallino and a passionate exhibitor/class winner for years. Given the content of this personal account, and particularly the source, this is all I need to know. I’m done.

 

Every year, more and more of the lifers of Cavallino feel the same way. Its not just ticket prices, its not just $1000 Olive Garden dinners.

 

Please go on. Your account of experiences is fascinating and a great read!

 

My guess is Cavallino will shift to newer cars, which will mean less judging and more "lifestyle." To distinguish themselves from a local Cars and Coffee, maybe they need to focus on supercars, such as F40, F50, 288, Enzos and so forth.

 

Doesn't surprise me in the least.

The type of people who run these things now only engage you when they "need" something. The minute you can't serve them, you're long forgotten and cast aside.

I'm sorry you were treated that way.

 

Marcel Massini[/QUOTE]

The last few days I have been in Southern California with among a few others 2 very well known Ferrari collectors. I am sure you know both well. One has some important early race cars and was asked by Ferrari to provide them for display there. He did and was refused when he asked for tickets for he and the wife to attend.

 

Our expectation is newer still. The latest and greatest of the limited edition and highly personalized cars.

Concours has its roots in showcasing the newest of bespoke cars from custom coach builders made for the upper crust of society and rating them for their style, elegance and originality of design. We suspect more a return of that as they tend to be the more free spenders of the Ferrari world. As I said before, doing that complete a change of direction overnight would not have gone well. It could also generate a greater demand for those services from Ferrari which is the swords second edge. Canossa acting as a marketing agent.

 

I was thinking about that too. For Cavallino to have separation from a local C&C (see the attached pic of a Tampa FCA event), they will need to show newer cars you can't see elsewhere. Otherwise, why bother?

For bonus points, see if you can spot the sole 308. It was the oldest car there.


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Wow. How can someone be so disconnected? The fact that someone like that is running this event says volumes. I don't know who could defend their direction after reading this.
Marcel, you do us a big favor by recounting these stories. In fact, you have just saved me from spending the money to participate in any of their events/endeavors. Thank you.

George

 

The last few days I have been in Southern California with among a few others 2 very well known Ferrari collectors. I am sure you know both well. One has some important early race cars and was asked by Ferrari to provide them for display there. He did and was refused when he asked for tickets for he and the wife to attend.[/QUOTE]

Absolutely classless act.

George

 

The last few days I have been in Southern California with among a few others 2 very well known Ferrari collectors. I am sure you know both well. One has some important early race cars and was asked by Ferrari to provide them for display there. He did and was refused when he asked for tickets for he and the wife to attend.[/QUOTE]

Bizarre. FNA provided me a pair for sending two cars and a the year prior I sent half dozen and got two pair. I do know they were being very tight about the number of tickets given for Casa 2023 but what you’re describing is flat out ridiculous. Curious was their contact with Classiche or FNA motorsports?

 

That model won't work here. When it comes to the newer cars all we have to do is go to Mizner or Miami. Our roads are littered with modern exotics. They are every where now. You can see them pretty much at will for free any day of the week. I hate to sound jaded but new exotics feel like they are a dime a dozen now. I honestly don't even look twice anymore. I probably see at least two McLarens every day during my commute. lol, Porsches are as common as Toyotas

When it comes to "concours" this coming February alone we have Boca Nova, Design District, Motorcar Cavalcade, Miami Nova and Amelia Island. Not to mention all the other monthly local free events like cars and coffee, supercar Saturdays, etc. I can't even keep track of all the events we have anymore.

 

Bizarre. FNA provided me a pair for sending two cars and a the year prior I sent half dozen and got two pair. I do know they were being very tight about the number of tickets given for Casa 2023 but what you’re describing is flat out ridiculous. Curious was their contact with Classiche or FNA motorsports?[/QUOTE]

Ferrari contacted him through a well known 3rd party. Cars were sent. Tickets were asked for direct and refused. Same 3rd party was asked to intervene and request was refused again. The collector who I interacted with extensively is a great guy and 1st class gentleman made no mention of the affair. The 3rd party is a very old friend and I visited him while in town. After he found out I had spent the prior day with the collector he told me the story. This 3rd party has a 40+ year history with Ferrari and close history with both Classiche and motorsports since their inception. Needless to say he will never again allow their needs and wants to cause him to ask favors of his contacts in the future. Many time over the course of our conversation he said "F##K Ferrari".

 

Marcel, hes not a Ferrari guy so its little wonder he does not know of you.
He is an event guy and and a money guy I would not bet he knows who Enzo is.

 

As a car person who grew up about 2 hrs from the Monterey Peninsula and who attended what became Monterey Car Week from nearly the beginning until 10 years ago my observation is only about 25-30% of the overall attendees are even car people. It became a destination event long ago and quit being a car event.
Years ago I could go to the vintage races and have great conversations about the cars on the track with perfect strangers. Nearly everyone there had significant knowledge of one or more eras of the cars in attendance. It has not been that way in a very long time. Every event, every venue has become a victim of the success.
When I could get there cheap, stay for free and get passes to several events given to me it was almost worth while toward the end of my regular attendance.

The days of being able to stay after closing at the track and see Herman Lang helped into a W125 and rip off a few hot laps like he was still 25 years old are long gone.

 

The same organisers once also invited me to judge at the Cavallino Classic Middle East in Abu Dhabi U.A.E.
I was absolutely willing and ready to pay for my flights, of course.
I asked if there was any kind of compensation offered to the judges.
Their answer was: The hotel will give you 10% (ten percent) discount on the first night.
I asked: That's it?
They said: Yes.
I said: No, thanks.

Marcel Massini

 

Brian, I wish I could like this 100x. Pebble was a must attend for me up until about 10 years ago, as well. One of the deciding reasons it became inessential was that the races became less interesting. You are spot on with the level of knowledge of the attendees years ago, compared to today.

 

Marcel,

Thank you for sharing your first hand experiences.
What amazes me is the stark contrast in experiences.
Everything you outlined about your visit to Cavallino Modena were exact opposites of last year's event.
Maybe they learned their lesson, at least it appears they made improvements and took care of the invited judges/guests
I'm embarrassed to say that while I know of your persona, I probably wouldn't know who you are in person, till introduced.
However, I look forward to meeting you one day.

I am still interested in your insight on these questions, asked earlier

Question for you and those experienced enough to have lived it first hand, attended events put on by Ferrari over the years.
Back in the 50's & 60's what was the target demographic of owners and who were the enthusiast in that timeframe?
Weren't they movie stars, models, drivers, influencers of the day?
Did owners make a fuss when Ferrari changed it's design over the years?
Were there any controversial designs back in the day?
Did Ferrari provide food to attendees?

Steve

 

^^^^^ Perfect example of pushing an enthusiast away from an event, who may have had a different experience, as a direct result of words posted on a forum.
To each is own.

I realize I seem like I am defending a position, I'm not intending to, rather as a newbie when compared to Marcel or Brian, and others... I'm just trying to grasp the overall picture.

No excuse for outright lying, however.
( Canossa organizers outlined in prior post )

At the same time, try and come talk to me during an event that I am hosting and I may not come across "right" either, won't remember names, or conversations after the fact sometimes. I've been accused of being short and to the point... not at all like my actual demeanor / personality.

S