The Breakers is a luxurious oceanfront hotel and playground for the rich and famous of Palm Beach, Florida. Every year, a major beauty pageant exclusive to prancing-horse cars is held in a dream-like environment. It's called the Cavallino Classic, and Auto123.com was there to give you an inside look (don't miss our photo gallery).
Flanked by lush palm trees, the two-lane main drive leads to the Florentine Fountain in front of the magnificent hotel. Originally built in 1896 by oil tycoon Henry Flagler and visited through the years by American aristocrats and crowned heads of Europe, The Breakers is one of the most prestigious hotels in North America. Twice destroyed by fire, it was rebuilt in 1926 in the Italian Renaissance-style, particularly the Villa Medici in Rome, with the help of 75 hand-picked Italian master craftsmen.
The program of this entirely private event (no TV cameras were allowed) included three main activities, starting with a four-day track meet at the Moroso Motorsports Park, just up the road in Jupiter. There, Ferrari owners could put their machines to the test before taking part in the Shell-sponsored Ferrari Maserati Historic Challenge on Friday. Vintage one-seaters, berlinettas and barchettas from these two former nemeses competed for the Florida Cup - the Trofeo di Florida.
Concorso d'Eleganza
Under the warm January sun of Florida, we were greeted on the immaculate front lawn by a plethora of classic Ferraris. Taking center stage this year was the full stable of 250s, including four 250 GT Tour de France LWB (long wheelbase). The "Tour de France" appellation stems from the many victories of Ferrari 250s at the famous French road endurance race that stretched up to 4,000 kilometers. Not too far were a couple of other 250 cars, including a spectacular 1962 250 GTO sporting a French Blue coat with a bright yellow strip in the middle.
While berlinettas outnumbered barchettas, the latter prove equally attractive in the minds of aficionados. Among the most striking 250 roadsters were a wine red 1958 250 GT Pininfarina, registered in New York City and winner of the Best of Show award in GT class. Completing our tour of this memorable section, we spent a fair amount of time drooling over the granddaddy of the famiglia, a 1949 166 MM Berlinetta Touring. With such simplicity, visual balance and timeless appeal, it comes as no surprise that this Touring-coachworked convertible won a Best of Show award in Competition class.
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Flanked by lush palm trees, the two-lane main drive leads to the Florentine Fountain in front of the magnificent hotel. Originally built in 1896 by oil tycoon Henry Flagler and visited through the years by American aristocrats and crowned heads of Europe, The Breakers is one of the most prestigious hotels in North America. Twice destroyed by fire, it was rebuilt in 1926 in the Italian Renaissance-style, particularly the Villa Medici in Rome, with the help of 75 hand-picked Italian master craftsmen.
The program of this entirely private event (no TV cameras were allowed) included three main activities, starting with a four-day track meet at the Moroso Motorsports Park, just up the road in Jupiter. There, Ferrari owners could put their machines to the test before taking part in the Shell-sponsored Ferrari Maserati Historic Challenge on Friday. Vintage one-seaters, berlinettas and barchettas from these two former nemeses competed for the Florida Cup - the Trofeo di Florida.
Concorso d'Eleganza
Under the warm January sun of Florida, we were greeted on the immaculate front lawn by a plethora of classic Ferraris. Taking center stage this year was the full stable of 250s, including four 250 GT Tour de France LWB (long wheelbase). The "Tour de France" appellation stems from the many victories of Ferrari 250s at the famous French road endurance race that stretched up to 4,000 kilometers. Not too far were a couple of other 250 cars, including a spectacular 1962 250 GTO sporting a French Blue coat with a bright yellow strip in the middle.
While berlinettas outnumbered barchettas, the latter prove equally attractive in the minds of aficionados. Among the most striking 250 roadsters were a wine red 1958 250 GT Pininfarina, registered in New York City and winner of the Best of Show award in GT class. Completing our tour of this memorable section, we spent a fair amount of time drooling over the granddaddy of the famiglia, a 1949 166 MM Berlinetta Touring. With such simplicity, visual balance and timeless appeal, it comes as no surprise that this Touring-coachworked convertible won a Best of Show award in Competition class.
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