Price isn’t an issue IMO. It’s the value you get for that price, plain and simple. That value all depends on what floats your boat. If vintage is your thing Pebble is still THE way to go. If you prefer modern/exotic nothing beats the free Supercar Saturdays at the Hard Rock. If you are a track nut we have Homestead, Sebring and Daytona. It’s still a great event, no doubt. I’m just happy to have witnessed it at its’ peak. Having attended since 1996 I’m admittedly jaded
Well nearly $900 for dinner is pretty questionable when its not a $100 meal. Many dont go even for free. I was on a plane eating pretzels and didn't miss a thing. John served a better dinner and didn't stand on a soap box bragging about it.
tangent but I saw somewhere the PBIR development deal fell through and it's back on the market, any local knowledge on what's going on?
My question - from someone who does not know what's happening behind curtains.. There clearly is a drop in the quantity of unicorns being shown. As i said to many people who asked me how the 2025 was, i told them, if this was your first time, it was amazing. Hard to argue seeing 7 f50, F40LM, 335S, GTO 64..but if you have been coming to the classic for a long time, then you can see the quantity of quality is not there anymore while the price has x4. So why it happening? The cars are still around. The owners are probably even more cash loaded than 10 years ago. So where is the disconnect? Why are they not willing to bring the cars anymore? I heard a few things but could just be gossiping. At the end of the day, it's sad bc as i said, the cars are around. The venue is amazing (even if the security is getting a bit too serious..) and the weather is usually perfect. Would be sad to see this event slowly die as it is doing.
Not a defense of the current state of the event as I haven’t been to Cavallino for a number of years. But one thing to take into consideration those owners are now 10 years older, unfortunately many are no longer with us. Priorities and interests change etc.
It’s for sale on loopnet. Previous bid was $78 million so bring your best offer! Still zoned for racing. One would assume it could be back up and running with a little refresh. Would be interesting to see someone buy it and make it a racing club with onsite car condos. Problem is with the price of real estate here it will more than likely get turned into zero lot line housing.
I'm not saying some of it isn't the change in Cavallino, but much of it is external... 1) just more events competing for entrants (look at the popularity and number of different events at Monterey week, look how many events Ferrari does themselves) 2) owners are aging and not going to as many events (look at the collection HotShoe had the private party, that owner was showing most of those cars yearly all over in the 2000-2010's) 3) the high end cars are in bigger collections, when before they were the pinnacle of a small collection and driven/shown more.
The problem is many of the big vintage owners who used to bring cars have frankly grown a little bitter with the new management. They simply feel the juice isn’t worth the squeeze. It is a burden and risk to bring their cars there so when they feel like they aren’t appreciated and are being nickled and dimed to death they just stopped. Imagine they approach you last minute to bring a few cars. You have to pay for transport of your cars, detailing and accommodations for you and any personnel. You then have to pay them their fee (even though they asked you for a favor) for each car and buy tickets for you and wife and any children. All of this hassle for display only because you already have countless platinum awards. Collectors at that level like to feel appreciated and are used to a certain level of respect for their participation. Apparently many feel they are no longer getting it.
I think there is less turnover in vintage Ferraris now and less are going through full restorations, both events result in the car wanting to be shown. Why would old owners deal with the costs and headaches you talk about for a car that hasn't been restored in 20+ years and has already been in numerous shows. If my car already got a Platinum, I wouldn't want to show it again, especially after sitting for 10+ years.
I’ve gone the last 5 years….this one was the most enjoyable so far. Why don’t people show their cars like they used to……probably because the same guys keep winning the platinums. The cars come out once a year from their cocoons and are pristine, shown and win! Maybe some politics involved…..uhum. Guys like me who have amazing cars and drive them don’t stand much of a chance IMO. Where is the value add to put a bunch of $ into a car that’s super nice but will never win a platinum award because it’s driven. Changing an acorn nut or a washer or even a smooth hose for a braided hose all gets a little bit ridiculous! But I suppose that’s what you have to do to stand a chance. It’s become a rich man’s game…..guys who can throw endless $ at their cars making them perfect and never driving them. I think we’ve lost what Ferrari is all about……….cars that are meant to be driven. just my observation…..but I’ll keep trying!!
can you explain how driving the car hurts it in deductions? I didn't think driving the car and normal wear should get deductions.
Yes but if the cars are sold to new custodians, the question remains. If you bought a $3m gtb4 or $10m swb recently, why aren't you showing it at Cavallino? I can understand if a lot of cars are still owned by old timers who are now too old to bother traveling or don't care to show cars anymore bc they are just not as mobile or active themselves anymore. There are probably a few cars that are in that stage. And probably few cars that have already moved on to a new and younger collection.
Oh for sure normal wear affects things. I had some dust etc on my fuse panel wires……probably a deduct. Some fine scratches on the front windshield chrome trim from the wiper blades (driving in rain) A very small rear window delamination from sitting in the sun or whatever…..(original window with defrost in it)….replacement new glass does not have defrost.
Here's the problem. Everybody wants to monetize lighting in a bottle. Sometimes things happen organically.
I wasn't there last year but the one from 2 and 3 years ago is a different one. It's Garage 26 on Insta. The one from 2025 seems to be owned by Alfonso Rey.
It did sound like the awards ceremony during the concours was a bit of a mess. I heard many Breakers security people complaining that it was a total **** show and some owners were less than pleased when called to drive towards the award area (by the giant TV) only to be told they had to then wait in the staging area for 10 to 20 minutes bc they were called too early.
Our judging rules specifically allow for small delaminations. I helped write some of the rules. I do not recall ever seeing a deduction for dusty wires.
IAC/PFA judging rules are very clear and can be found on the FCA website as well as in the Prancing Horse magazine. Marcel Massini
While its true wealthy collectors who come regularly win disproportionate amounts of awards. They spend a great deal on the cars at the best restorers and also tend to have more of the special, rare models that are award magnets. How does one change that unless you give a handicap based on wealth? The entire reason we went to Platino, ( Oro and Argento too at FCA events ) was to establish a standard cars are compared to, not the other entrants for exactly that reason. With 1st, 2nd, 3rd there are 3 awards given. Everyone else goes home empty handed. There have been times every car in one of my classes got platino. It is also why scoring is so heavily weighted to originality and correctness, not condition and we do not score consumables. The best car in my class this year probably had the most miles from the looks of it and a fresh very nice restored car got nothing. The car with the miles had wear and tear, a boatload of patina but was the most correct car in its class. As far as pressure based on ownership, I have seen that many times at smaller local events, never, not once at Cavallino. That happens and a lot of the judges will be on the next plane.
it was a rhetorical question, I was leading that either he was mistaken on the deductions or the judges were.
