REDWOOD CITY, CA - Exclusivity and technology are a natural combination in Silicon Valley. So probably no one was surprised on Thursday when 10 Ferraris worth more than $30 million combined roared into town.
Ferrari Silicon Valley hosted a stop on Ferrari's 60th anniversary around-the-world marathon relay. Scientists, fashion designers, high-tech execs, race car drivers, investment bankers and wealthy retirees showed up to ogle the Ferraris and their engines.
"My old company helps sponsor the Ferrari races," he said, "but it's only a couple million dollars," said Dr. Gene Brown, co-founder of Advanced Micro Devices who attended with his wife. They own a 430 Spyder.
Mattiolli, who also owns Ferrari Maserati of Beverly Hills and Maserati of Pasadena, provided a spread inside his 10,000-square-foot showroom (which during the day also runs a full-service Italian bistro), replete with champagne, wine, prosciutto-wrapped melon and tiramisu.
But the real enthusiasts were outside opening the hoods and admiring each owner's work.
Ernie Prisbe, vice president of Gilead Sciences and his wife brought their 312PB race car. Legendary race car driver and car dealer Tom Price, brought his 250 GTO, worth upwards of $15 million dollars. Since Prices' passion these days is racing his GTO, he spent most of his time with a mechanic who specialized in Weber carburetors and knew all about the six in his car.
(Drool-worthy video and pics caught by our writer Lou Ann Hammond after the jump)
The event kicked off when Giacomo Mattiolli took possession of probably the fanciest relay baton ever. The combination Olympic torch and high-end totem pole features sixty Ferrari events symbolized on its shaft and a diamond-encrusted prancing horse blazing on top. You can purchase one of your own at Ferrari's online store for less than $5,000.
The entire relay started at the Italian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, and the baton has passed through the Middle East, making its way across
China, Japan, Australia, and South Africa. It ends in Maranello, Italy
23-25 June, home of Ferrari.
Here are some of Thursday's highlights, with links to videos of
Mattiolli talking about each car. It's worth watching to the end of the videos for the sound of the engines.
1953 342 America
Ferrari built just six the 342 America cabriolets and coupes in 1952 and 1953 – hands down the most exclusive model of that period. The first 342 America was bodied by Vignale, the rest by Pininfarina.
Before the 342 America, Ferrari had reserved even numbers for the chassis of only their competition cars. Wanting to acknowledge the
Ferrari racing competition heritage of the Lampredi V12 that powered 342 America, Ferrari broke tradition and numbered all six chassis' with even numbers.
This particular 342 America was built in May, 1953 for King Leopold III of Belgium. The 342 denotes the individual cylinder capacity of the
America's 4,101 cc engine. The standard power on the 342 America was
200 brake horsepower with an 8:1 compression ratio. But King Leopold's
342 America, received special factory tuning and produced up to 300
brake horsepower. Watch the video here.
1962 250 GTO
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__You know you're in the right business when you own a car would go for between $15-$20 million dollars at auction. As though a $5 million difference is that casual. Tom Price, a car dealer for many years, owns this beauty.
The car debuted at 12 hours of Sebring in 1962, driven by Phil Hill's team (the standing world driving champion) and Belgian Oliver Gendebein. It was one of the last front-engined cars to be competitive at such a level. Price has raced this car in 135 races.
Ferrari produced only 39 250 GTOs and it remains one of the most desirable collector cars in the world. Watch the – video.
1973 365 GTB/4
Many know this car as the Ferrari Daytona, but that was never the official name. Mattiolli explained that the reason people called it the Daytona was because it won the first, second and third place in the 1967 Daytona 24 hours with a 330 P4.
The 365 GTB/4 was first unveiled at the Paris Auto Salon in 1968, replacing the 275 GTB/4. Watch the – video.
1985 288 GTO
The progression of limited Ferraris started with the 288, the F40,
F50 and the Enzo. The 288 gets 400 horsepower and is built on the 308,
328 chassis. You could buy this car for the almost affordable price of $500,000. Watch the – video.
1995 F50
Mattiolli was especially interested in this car, as he worked at the Maranello factory when they were building it. The chassis is made out of a central carbon fiber tub and high-tech
F1-derived materials that help with the power-to-weight ratio for the under 3,000 pound two-door, two-seat convertible sports car that can go
0-60 in 3.7 seconds.
Only 349 cars were made and they cost $569,690 new. This particular car was one of the first Ferrari F50s in the United States. Watch the – video.
2003 Ferrari Enzo
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__Sixty years of making Ferraris and it took them 57 years to finally build a car named after the owner. The Enzo Ferrari is a 12-cylinder supercar that uses Formula One (F1) technology, such as carbon-fiber body, F1-style sequential shift transmission and carbon ceramic brake discs.
The Enzo, as it is known, was unveiled at the 2002 Paris Motor Show.
The 349 limited production cars sold for $643,330. Later, Ferrari decided to build 50 more, bringing the total up to 399. On November 8,
2005, Ferrari announced that it would build one additional Enzo, bringing the total to 400, according to Chris Miles of Ferrari Silicon
Valley. The car was auctioned by Sotheby's Maranello Auction on June
28, 2005 to benefit survivors of the 2004 Tsunami for €950,000
(US$1,274,229) – almost twice its list price.
Watch the – video.
1996 F50 GT1
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__This is the only one of its kind. Ferrari test driver Nicola Larini extensively tested it on Ferrari's private Fiorano test track in
September of 1996, where she clocked faster lap times than the 333 SP
prototype racer. But Ferrari folded the project soon after the first tests were completed, despite raves from icons such as Michael Schumacher and Derek Bell, who say they've never driven anything quite like it.
2007 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti
Ferrari is celebrating its 60th anniversary with this new model.
Just 60 will be produced. The GT 2+2, 2-door, 4-seater will be personalized for each owner. Each will have a different name, symbolizing a significant event in Ferrari's history. The car will cost around $450,000, but if the Enzo is any example, expect tremendous appreciation. The Enzo listed for $650,000 and garners around $1.2
million if you want to buy it now.
Images and text by Lou Ann Hammond.
