November 30, 2023: Following the success of the last edition, this year’s Cavallino Classic Middle East on November 24-26 coincided once again with the last Formula 1 race of the season, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit on Yas Island. Organized by Canossa Events at Casa Ferrari and staged just a few hundred meters from the race track, Cavallino Classic Middle East closed the series of Cavallino Classics for 2023, after the main edition taking place every year in Palm Beach, Florida, since 1992 and the Italian edition in Modena in May — plus the one-off event at Fisher Island, Florida. The Concorso d’Eleganza saw the 37 participating cars divided into 6 classes. A further 11 Ferraris were also on display, outside the competition. Two Best of Show prizes were awarded by the international jury, chaired by Emiliano Torkar: one to the best Gran Turismo car and one to the finest Ferrari Classiche Certified example.
The Best of Show prize for the most appealing Gran Turismo went to the 1967 Ferrari 330 GTC Speciale owned by the Heinecke Family Collection (TH). This car, s/n 9653, one of the only five 330 GTC Speciale ever built — the one and only in Azzurro Aurora — was delivered new to famed American heart surgeon Dr. Michael DeBakey right after being exhibited at the 1967 Geneva Salon as show car. Its provenance includes noted Ferrari Collectors Norm Silver and John Mecom Jr. This stunning 330 GTC Speciale underwent an award-winning 1990s restoration, which led to a double First in Class wins at Ferrari Club of America Annual Meet and Concours in Grand Rapid, Michigan, and Ferrari Club of America Vintage Ferrari Concours in Monterey, California, during summer 1992. Acquired from its current owner in 2018, attended the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este and Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace earlier this year.
The Best of Show prize for the finest Ferrari Classiche Certified car was awarded to the 1970 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 ‘Daytona’ owned by Jan Sandmann (GER). The car, s/n 13465, sports the much desirable plexiglass headlight covers and was originally delivered in May 1970 to an Italian gentleman with licence plate BO 419239. In the early 1980s, the car left its European homeland and moved to Japan. In 1990, Shigeru Usui become its prominent custodian: the car attended the Ferrari Days Japan Concours d’Elegance at Okayama International Circuit, and achieved a strong third place at the 10th Anniversary Ferrari Club meeting at the Suzuka circuit in 1999. In early 2000s the car was acquired by Japanese publisher Kenji Sasamoto, who sent the car to Ferrari Classiche for an extensive restoration — obviously keeping its elegant dark blue paint. Today, this Daytona resides in Dubai, already won the Best Restoration prize at the Dubai Concorso Italiano and has been showcased at the Gulf Concours.
Moreover, during the prize giving ceremony on Saturday, the 6 Cavallino class winners have been announced and as many as 11 cars received the Platinum Award. On Sunday the public’s turn to elect its favourite car arrived, through all the preferences registered online thanks to the QR codes identifying each of the entries. This time, the Ferraristi Award went to the 1981 Ferrari 512 BB, s/n 38385, owned by Talal Al Rajab (KSA). “This was an incredibly successful third edition with a great line-up of cars almost from all decades, also sent from Europe and United States, with a solid presence of amazing youngtimers. A thanks goes to Ferrari Middle East, to Al Tayer Motors, to all the collectors and Ferrari dealers in the Gulf region for their fantastic presence and support” — said Luigi Orlandini, Chairman and CEO of Cavallino. “See you all at the 33rd Palm Beach Cavallino Classic under the Florida skies, from January 25th to 28th, 2024!”