Cavallino Classic

I came for the cars, but I stayed for the people. Pebble and Cavallino are cool, and I love to see the shiny trinkets, but after an hour, I'm done. What I like is talking with real car guys and maybe a few car gals. People who don't care how much money you have, how important you are, just people who are comfortable with who they are and love cars and motorcycles.


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I would agree with this. I loved the show. The cars were exceptional and the setting was beautiful. The best part was meeting many enthusiasts who have a passion for Ferrari deep in their DNA. I can't wait to go back next year. I actually feel sorry for those who got so caught-up in the ego and politics of it all. They only deprived themselves of the experience (and the rest of us from seeing their cars). Hopefully they come back and celebrate next year.

 

I understand that there are many "political undercurrents" happening below the surface of Cavallino, but I can say that, from the perspective of someone who attended all of the events this year (and has done so for many years) and also judged on the concours field, it was a fantastic event. The cars were utterly amazing, as they always are, and it is always a pleasure to be with all of the other Ferrari owners, restorers, and enthusiasts.

And, it doesn't hurt that the Breakers, one of the finest hotels in the world, is the backdrop for everything. As much as I should stay somewhere cheaper, I always find a way to justify being there for a few days.

 

This is my favorite aspect of the Monterey car week. Seeing priceless classics being used as intended, on road and on track, is something I will never get used to. It's incredible.

 

I still think events like Cavallino are missing a bet by not giving some spotlight to the people, instead of the cars. The stories these guys have to tell are priceless. I used to urge Gerald Roush to put some of his oral histories on tape or something. I don't believe he ever did.

 

In the early years people like Derek Bell and Brian Redman spoke at the dinner like they do at other events telling their career tales but numerous people in the audience were rudely chatting during their speeches -brash types with no clue about Ferrari history-, Derek (who I ghostwrote texts for) told me he would have stopped his speech and said something in the Uk [to silence the rude ones] but did not feel he should there. After that there weren't really any such speeches that I recall though I may have forgotten.

MS

 

Some of the best stories can't be told in full public forums.

 

Brian Redman spoke at this year's Cavallino awards banquet. Told a couple of funny stories. Part of it was to promote his new book, which he was signing there.

 

I was thinking more of a "club type" atmosphere with LOTs of adult beverages being served. No phones or other recording devices allowed. Just friends sharing memories. You know, camp fire stories.

 

Demographics are very different now. When I lived in California, Monterey was an hour and a half away...off peak a lot less than that. In the early days it was a hard core car guy event 3-4 days long and much of what you speak happened including keeping the various law enforcement busy and having their own stories to tell. All weekend long there were felonious automotive activities from LA to SF. I remember cruising along in a Lusso at triple digits and getting passed by a Dino. The CHP he had in tow locked on to me. Good thing we were in the hills where I grew up.

So different now, the only way to speed across the peninsula now is by aircraft. Every bar, restaurant and taco stand is overflowing.

 

No kidding. At least the statute of limitations have run out.

 

True, it's hard to catch lightning in a bottle more than once.

 

I have heard Stirling Moss tell some funny stories, many not fit for a "family" audience. I got the strong impression he was a bit of a "lad" back in the day and certainly enjoyed himself. Probaby or maybe because tomorrow might be his last day! Sex was safe, racing on the other hand was very dangerous. There is the famous photo of 8 drivers before the start of the french GP. Within 2 years 5 would be dead leaving Moss, Fangio and Brookes the 3 survivors. So have fun whilst you can. Moss was very entertaing talking about those days. He talked about the fun but also the constant tragedy.

 

John Barnes told me years ago that it was about the 'cars' and not the owners. That was his attitude then.

 

His prerogative. I'm just making a suggestion.

 

Sounds nice but what does it mean?

 

I cannot speak for John. However, at the time, I believe he was referring to his desire to focus and bring attention to the cars, and not the owner's egos.

 

Its not only at Cavallino.
Had a conversation with chaps from the German Ferrari Club. Of 10 sentences they spoke about Ferrari 9 where about money...

 

Brian,
I'd say it was still a hard-core car lover event ten years ago. Then it started to change. It was about the time the Italian show left the Quail. The Quail was a great event the first few years, then started becoming very expensive, with not the same people. The last one I went to had a twenty something guy passed out at one of the tables at 3pm. He and his friends clearly wouldn't have known the difference between short nose and a long nose. The feeling now in Monterey is "how much can we charge" rather than how they can make it pleasant so people will want to return. It's now a life-style weekend.
Nothing good lasts forever.

George

PS - Good to see you, again, in Palm Beach

 

I really don't like the whole weekend. I stopped racing there - it was my last race - when Steve had me run qualifying on Friday and then the race on Sunday. So few laps so much time.

The best part is watching the cars set up in the lawn early in the morning.

Otherwise, all the commercialism with the auctions, the money, etc.

I want to love the cars and the passion but I can't take the crowds.

 

What is that supposed to mean? Most of the cars shown at Cavallino have vastly more interesting stories than their current owners.

How should it be about the owners??

 

Andrew,

I would like to think this was about the stories that could be told by those who owned these cars before they became a little more valuable.
It is obviously no secret that the people who owned these cars back in the 50's, 60's, 70's had more fun than the current custodians.

I agree about current events however...concours events are becoming more and more like social gatherings...all the Goodwood events are now targeted at the city wankers...
But this is sport in general...
Enthusiasts can't partake anymore...

Paul

 

I wonder if this is just part of me getting old. Car meets, track events, and tinkering with these old Ferraris was much more fun 40 years ago. People were friendly. Happy to get dirty to help someone else out. Safety and liability standards were much less than today and tracks like Road America were wide open to wherever you wanted to roam. Crowds were small. Minimal in your face advertising and sponsorship of everything. Those were great times. It felt like more of a hobby that we all were in together. We could have some fun with a car. Maybe get our money back when we sold it. And then play with a different one. The high values of these cars, while nice, also has some negatives attached. Just my two cents.

 

Well, as a faithful Goodwood attendee I'll have to object to that characterization.

Although after seven Revivals we gave up on that, mostly due to crowd size, and we're looking forward to our third Members' Meeting next month.

 

This is why I think capturing oral histories is important. As more and more of us step on rainbow, these stories fade away.