Cavallino Classic event in Palm Beach, Florida

A unique Vignale
Back down to Earth, and to the Cavallino Classic Concours d'Élégance held at the stylish Breakers Resort in West Palm Beach. The hotel grounds welcomed the most prized of Ferraris, a superb 250 GTO flanked by two 250 Testa Rossas, surrounded by a row of 400 Superamericas, short- and long-wheelbase 250 GTs and Tour de France and convertible versions as well as magnificent Lussos, not to mention a delectable blue 1954 250 Europa GT Tour de France.

Through the mêlée, my eye was suddenly caught by another stranger, a Michellotti creation this time, produced by Vignale and based on the 1951 Ferrari 212 Export. Oh-so-elegant in its black attire, the compact 212 that from certain angles resembles the Austin Healy belongs to Thomas Stegman, president of Ohio's Osborne Coinage Co., the oldest mint in the United States.

Ferrari Testa Rossa et 250 GTO

"This car first belonged to the Portuguese ambassador in France, a certain H. Almeida. I obtained it in 1993 from the Ken Hutchinson collection, and its restoration was completed in 1994," explained the affable Mr Stegman. Rather unusually, the V12 is fuelled by a single carburetor topped by a small, chromed air intake. "It's not as powerful as a multi-carburetor V12, but it produces more low-end torque, which is perfect for the car's touring nature."

The crisis
What crisis? Before such a lavish display of automotive gems, it's hard to imagine that we're in the midst of an economic crisis of rare intensity. Even in the hotel parking lot, the parade of wealth continued with another exclusive machine, a 1953 Ghia Supersonic created on a Fiat 8V chassis, not to mention the Bugatti Veyrons, the elegant Maserati Quattroportes, the Ferraris of all shapes and sizes, the demented, all-new Alfa Romeo 8C Competiziones (three of them), the Bentleys and the Rolls-Royces.

A few observations that might have to do with the crisis: the show grounds were not as packed as in January 2008, there were more "deals" on used Ferraris and the prices had dropped somewhat, but overall, there was no hint of panicking. Not yet, anyways. It might be a different story at the prestigious Amelia Island Concours d'Élégance in March. Till then, stay warm.