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Carl S. Cunanan
March 9, 2018     |    

Guarding Those That Guard The Passion

We watch how enthusiasts and collectors and fans celebrate 7 decades of Ferrari passion

Photos by Author and Ferrari

I once woke up as my train stopped briefly at the Modena station. That’s the stop if you’re going to Maranello. I didn’t realize I was even going by there. I found myself making the sign of the cross.

This kind of explains why.

Looking through a 1996 F40 Competizione at a trio of 250 GT Berlinettas, these from the Concours Classe 3 Le Ferrari del boom economic italiano

Nicely dressed people were walking all over, asking questions and passing judgment, crisp in their blue jackets and white hats. All those around them were either hanging on their every word, answering queries graciously, or preparing for when they themselves would be put under the spotlight. It was like you were in a different world, answering to the gods.

Judges admire the gorgeous curves of Classe 17, I Nouvi Motori di Lampredi, a class for cars with the “new” Lampredi engines. The white and blue 1955 750 Monza is a multiple race winner, but was ordered without the headrest you see on the red 1957 500 TRCs cars behind it, so it could be driven on the road without attracting attention.

Which was pretty accurate, actually. The world was the beautiful grass and historic tarmac of Fiorano. The one-word explanation for those that understand the importance of Ferrari’s test track in the middle of their Headquarters in Maranello. And answering to gods? Again, that’s something those that understand this place would see as pretty much how things have always been. Historically, that deity would have been (and still is) Enzo Ferrari. The person who just over seventy years ago created something that still shakes the ground and stirs the imagination. Today, his blue-coated white-hatted minions were here to judge how well mere mortals kept to the faith. How well they preserved something that was, in their minds, priceless.

It was fun to watch.

Inspecting all the additional and important gear from another 250 GT Berlinatta (Passo Lungo - TDF) this one from 1958 and competing in Classe 18 - Per I gentleman drivers

Today, his blue-coated white-hatted minions were here to judge how well mere mortals kept to the faith. How well they preserved something that was, in their minds, priceless.

Hundreds of modern cars were driven to Fiorano to be part of the event, and to be recorded doing so and getting the appropriate stickers and accreditation. They were all there to see cars like the blue 1955 500 Mondial, the wonderfully preserved and amazingly diverse collection of Dinos, the breathtaking 1953 375 MM once owned by Luigi Chinetti.
This blue 1950 166 MM was displayed at the 1950 Turin Car Show, was also owned by Luigi Chinetti and ran Le Mans in 1950 and 1951 with female drivers Yvonne Simon and Betty Haig.
RM Sotheby’s held an auction that included a true barn find, discovered in Japan after 40 years. The only road-going “Alloy” 365 GTB/4 Daytona in existence went for a record-breaking 1,807,000 Euro.

Historically, that deity would have been (and still is) Enzo Ferrari. The person who just over seventy years ago created something that still shakes the ground and stirs the imagination.

The judges and the cars were at Fiorano for the 2017 Concorso d’Eleganza. The other hundreds of cars and thousands of people were here to celebrate the first seventy years of red passion. There was a week of festivities all around the area, Ferrari clubs drove in from all over the world, fans flew or drove or biked their way from all points as well. Ferrari (the company) was holding parades and hosting an auction by RM Sotheby’s, throwing a party and putting on a show that somehow managed to arrange for thunder, lightning, and pouring rain to come in on cue. It was still drowned out by the roar of the crowd.

There was a week of festivities all around the area, Ferrari clubs drove in from all over the world, fans flew or drove or biked their way from all points as well.

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