The Ferrari Club of America, Southwest Region, presented the Inaugural Invitational Concours d'Elegance for Ferrari automobiles. Nearly fifty cars, representing 50 years of Ferrari history came together in Palos Verdes 'by invitation only'. For this very reason, only the most remarkable examples of this remarkable marque were present at this setting - with only one automobile of each model. As a special feature, a display of Ferraris originally participating in the Carrera Panamericana recalled the days of Ferraris triumphs during this arduous road race. Steven Tillack of Tillack & Co. acted as the master of ceremonies, presenting the different models and providing facts of interest for every Ferrari during a parade at the end of the show.

This 1951 Ferrari 212 Inter participated in the Carrera Panamericana that year and finished 2nd, driven by Alberto Ascari and Luigi Villoresi. The following year, it competed again - this time with Paco Ibarra and Vicente Solar placing 7th.

This 1952 Ferrari 340 Mexico Spider was specifically built for the Carrera Panamericana of 1952. Because it was held up in customs, it did not arrive in time to compete. It featured the 'new' V 12 engine, designed by Aurelio Lampredi.

This 1951 Ferrari 340 America with a body by Ghia participated in the Carrera Panamericana in 1952, finishing 5th. It was driven by Jack McAfee and his brother Ernie McAfee.

Jack McAfee behind the wheel of the 1951 Ferrari 340 America, the exact car he raced some 50 years ago in the Carrera Panamericana.

One of the first Ferraris not having twelve cylinders : 1959 246 Sport Spider Dino. In the fifties, Enzo Ferrari's son Alfredino persuaded him to build a V6 - designed by Vittorio Jano. Three Sport Spiders were built - this is one of two with a 4-cam engine.

This 1957 Ferrari 250 Testarossa was the first ever built. A total of 21 were produced in 1957 and 1958. This particular car participated in the 1958 24 hours of Le Mans with driver Dan Guerney.

1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB - build by Scaglietti of Modena. These cars were produced from 1959 to 1962 with 'steel' bodies as well as with 'alloy'. The 250 SWBs won more races than any other Ferrari model - the most prestigious one winning the TT in Goodwood in 1960 with driver Stirling Moss.

1953 Ferrari 342 America Cabriolet with a Pininfarina body. The 342 was a 'road' version of the 340, but with 20 hp less than the predecessor. Only six were produced, and only two carry this body style.

1963 Ferrari 250 SWB California. Another Pininfarina design and build by Scaglietti- the spider version has been produced from 1960 to 1963 with a total of 51 units. Later cars had recessed headlights with a perspex cover - similar to the earlier 250 LWB Californias.

1956 Ferrari 250 TDF Zagato. Even if the total production of TDF's (Tour de France) was 77 - this is one of only two with this type of body. Zagato's design can always be recognized by the characteristic 'double bubble' in the roof.

One more variation of the 250 GT - 1964 Ferrari Berlinetta Lusso (Luxus). Again it was designed by Pininfarina but build from 1962 to 1964 by Scaglietti in a total number of 350. This was the last model, utilizing the 3 litre, V12 engine, which debuted 1952 at the Mille Miglia in a prototype driven by Giovanni Bracco.

1950 Ferrari 212 Export with a body by Vignale. This is one of eight 212's with this type of body style, and one of twentyfour 212 Exports produced between 1950 and 1952.

The dashboard of the 1952 Ferrari 340 Mexico Spider - another Vignale design. The engine delivered 220 horsepower - allowing a top speed in excess of 150 Mph.

1951 Ferrari 212 Export Spider. This is the open version of the Vignale design - only 4 of the 24 spiders build had this body style. This particular example won several awards in 2001. Notice the 'I' - the Italian nationality sign.

This was the Inaugural Invitational Concours d'Elegance of 2001 - for the year 2002 an even bigger event is in the planning stage. The schedule at this point includes Track Events at the California Speedway as well as an Auction at the Petersen Museum and a Concours d'Elegance in Century City, California. Classics.com will post the event schedule in our Calendar of Events of the year 2002.