by Wallace Wyss –
The Petersen Automotive Museum located mid-Wilshire, is a draw even without 90 or so Ferraris but the annual Ferrari Club of America gathering made it more exciting. The Ferraris were free to see and the delicious bagels and free coffee were enough to keep most people through to 11 am, the show’s all too brief end.
The Petersen is named after Robert E. “Pete” Petersen who. founded his car magazine empire in the 1950’s with first Hot Rod then Motor Trend. His personal car collection eventually became the core collection in the museum on Wilshire named after him. I knew “Pete” Petersen from 60 or so years ago when I walked in his door as a teenager and got a job (associate editor at Motor Trend).
At this year’s Ferrari Cruise-In I saw less old Ferraris (’50s-60s with exception of Bruce Meyer’s ex-Le Mans ’61 Ferrari SWB 250GT) than ever before but to make up for that there were some very colorful newer models the star of which for me was a Zagato bodied one, with all the curves of say an Aston Martin DB4 GTZ.
Whoever brought it into the US I am glad they did because seeing another carrozzeria design a Ferrari now that Ferrari seldom goes to outside coachbuilders is an educational experience for young car designers. There weren’t many booths–the Petersen itself was selling Ferrari models and then there was a booth for Hagerty Insurance with their own magazine Driver’s Club and, next booth over, another magazine called Avants. It was in English but I was unable to tell where it’s from. They seem to be focused on current race cars but have some vintage content such as a gem from the 50s (a BMW 507).
Usually the organizer of the event, FCA, Southwest branch, has a booth (where yours truly was invited to show art, including portraits of some member’s cars) but this time it was just me and spouse Angie until a historian showed up with a lavish book on a 330, so lavish I couldn’t lift it.
The weather was overcast but no rain and the only downer was the brevity of the event–8 am to 11 am. A downer for me was the small gathering of lookee-loos in the street outside the parking garage–these rowdies urging those Ferrari drivers leaving to put the pedal to the metal, i.e., “Show us wacha got.” I was saddened by this because it was eggers-on like that who led to the demise of the Irvine Cars & Coffee, an event sponsored by Ford who decamped once they heard about the rowdiness.
I guess a Police Car will have to park outside the exit ready to ticket show-offs. All in all it was a relaxed event and though not many old Ferraris showed up it was heartening to see a sizable youth group there interested in those from the ’70s to the present.
Let us know what you think in the Comments.
AUTHOR/ARTIST Wallace Wyss accepts commissions to capture Ferraris in oil on canvas. He can be reached a malibucarart@gmail.com
Avants Magazine is based in the pacific northwest Wally, in Washington State. They have representatives in Southern California and Denver, Colorado.Their motto is: To make it easier for gearheads to connect, learn and drive! That Zagato-bodied Ferrari is one sexy beast!
From the look of that Zagato masterpiece Ferrari needs to get out more often !
Wow, what an incredible experience at the Ferrari Cruise-In at the Petersen Museum! This event was an absolute dream for any car enthusiast and a feast for the eyes. The combination of the iconic Ferrari brand and the stunning backdrop of the Petersen Museum made for a truly unforgettable day.