Along with the expected array of exceptional Ferraris and the addition of two new Best of Show winners to the honour roll, there were many other aspects to the 2026 Palm Beach Cavallino Classic worth noting. To begin with, it was an anniversary year, not a major milestone one, but 35 is still a solid party excuse. It was also held at a new venue, incorporated an inspired Legacy Class and, for the first time, featured a highly focused evening auction.
For 35 years this event has captured both the hearts of Prancing Horse fans and the exclusive, sporting essence of the brand itself. There’s probably no finer way to celebrate that history than by reliving many of the winning moments, which is exactly what the Cavallino Legacy Class accomplished.
Consisting of a selection of 15 Best of Show winners from the previous 34 editions, the Legacy display was the cornerstone of the show field, a snapshot of the sheer quality of entries over the years. Iconic previous winners on display included the sublime Zagato-bodied 1956 250 GT Berlinetta ‘LWB’ (Best of Show in 2018), the one-off 1952 Ferrari 212 Inter by Ghia (Best of Show Gran Turismo 2024) first owned by Argentina’s former president Juan Domingo Péron and the exquisite 1955 500 Mondial Series II that won Best of Show in 2009.
Saturday’s Concorso d’Eleganza was also held for the first time at The Boca Raton after switching from its former long-time home at the historic Breakers hotel. Opened in 1926, The Boca Raton isn’t short on history itself, though recent transformative renovation work means that it lives up to the marketing hype. With five hotels, the Palmera Spa, a private beach, seven swimming pools, 14 tennis courts, 12 new pickleball courts, a full-service marina and an 18-hole golf course within its 200 waterfront acres, it certainly offers expansive, sophisticated spaces for enjoying the luxury life.
Activities kicked off with Friday’s Tour d’Eleganza. Almost 80 Ferraris, the majority being post-1990 model year, lined the closed-off street outside luxury yacht dealer Ferretti Group America’s Fort Lauderdale dealership for a pre-tour lunch and a shoes-off wander around one of event partner Riva’s 88ft sportfly Folgore wonders.
While law enforcement officers, on motorbikes and in black SUVs, smoothed progress we tagged along in Maserati Grecales, staring at the endless beaches and luxury apartment towers around Pompano Beach. Unsurprisingly, onlookers stopped to film the procession – who doesn’t love a rolling Ferrari showroom and back catalogue.
Safely back at The Boca Raton, the evening ended with Party Under the Stars, featuring edgy DJ beats, more fab food and the US reveal of the new 849 Testarossa.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony, a few short speeches and a stirring rendition of the national anthem accompanied the opening of Saturday’s Concorso d’Eleganza. With more than 150 cars on display, arranged according to their classes, almost every kind of Ferrari road car ever conceived was represented in some way, with competitive Early Racers and Racers classes, too.
Apart from the Legacy Class, early standouts included cars from The 250 Family: a pair of sensational 250 GT Berlinetta Lussos, David MacNiel’s Tour de France-winning 1962 250 GTO (Chassis 4153GT), a 1956 410 Superamerica S1 (of course) and a superb 1972 365 GTC4 (chassis 14969) whose recent three-year, ground-up restoration was rewarded with an outright class win in The 365 Family class.
But it really didn’t matter what particular strain of Ferrari you’re most obsessed with. From 166 through 812, plus V8, V12 and the Iconas, there was at least one – and often several incredible examples – parked out on the sprawling turf of the 18th fairway. There were even two cars from the Special Projects Programme: the 296-based SC40 announced in 2025 and the 599-based SP30 from 2013. With very low mileage recorded and consequently in as-new condition, this spectacular Ferrari one-off creation won the 599 Family class.
Master of ceremonies was the always-sparkling Amanda Stretton. Her task, though, was not helped by the eager winners, some of whom appeared to have jumped the gun. It’s never easy to corral so many excitable thoroughbreds.
Highlights were not in short supply, but when a 1967 412 P in the colours of Ecurie Francorchamps approached the ramp accompanied by a spine-tingling bark and throaty growl, the crowd’s appreciative reaction was tangible. Motor sport is in the blood of every Ferraristi. The 412 P added the Honorary Judges’ and Finest Ferrari Classiche Certified awards to its Platinum one.
After the many Platinum awards (given to cars scoring 97 or higher), prestigious special awards and Best in Class awards had been handed out (full results below), it was time to reveal which of the fine entries would be showered in pyrotechnically launched streamers. First to be honoured in this way, as Best of Show Gran Turismo, was a 1956 410 Superamerica Series 1. The car’s handsome Pinin Farina-designed bodywork, finished in Oro Chiaro Metallizzato, appeared to have been divinely paired with the afternoon light. Best of Show Competition went to the 1948 166 MM Berlinetta of the Lawrence Auriana Collection. Chassis 02C/020 I was originally a Tipo 125,in fact the second Ferrari built. In 1948 it was fitted with a larger, Tipo 166 engine and received its Touring-designed Berlinetta body in 1949.
Billed as Cavallino Night, a traditional celebratory gala dinner in the Grand Ballroom concluded the day’s events. Cavallino Classic culture demands an exceptional culinary experience and fine wines, along with superb entertainment. In this case think four female artists in shiny black dresses, two violins and slick classic pop vocals.
This year’s adventurous addition was the Cavallino Auction by RM Sotheby’s, held between courses. While confident, organisers weren’t 100 per cent sure how well it would work. Dubbed a ’boutique auction’, it featured 11 Ferrari Classiche-certified vehicles along with six items of automobilia.
Bids came in online, via telephone and from participating members of the high-profile audience. The opening lot was for the first copy of the book 275 by Bacchelli & Villa, an ultimate collector’s edition signed by Enzo Mattioli Ferrari, who incidentally graced us with his impeccable style and radiant personality all weekend. It sold for $19,200, with proceeds – from this lot only – going to support the Cavallino Classic Foundation.
Later on, a 2025 LaFerrari fetched $5.23 million, $1.545 million was paid for a 1964 Ferrari 500 Superfast Series I by Pininfarina and a gorgeous 1955 Ferrari 250 Europa GT Coupé by Pinin Farina found a new home for $1,462,500 USD. Other notable results were the $1.105million paid for a 2009 Ferrari Scuderia Spider 16M, and the $54,000 paid for a bespoke two-piece suit and dress shoes worn by Enzo Ferrari. Full auction results can be found here.
As per tradition, the Classic and Sport Sunday event, at Mar-a-Lago Club, offered another chance to see many of the concours Ferraris along with a small selection of wheeled wonders from other brands. Unusual exhibits included the incredible 1952 Chrysler Ghia Styling Special by Virgil Exner and a Perana Z-One by Zagato. Security was tight, the atmosphere chilled, the grand ballroom was grand and the buffet was great (perhaps even the greatest).
Bathed this year in Florida’s warm winter sun, the 35th Palm Beach Cavallino Classic was an amazing experience. As for the success of the venue change, guests were overheard asking questions such as: “What’s the consensus, this or The Breakers?” To which one prominent owner answered: “I like it here.” In Cavallino chairman and CEO Luigi Orlandini’s words: “We will be here [at The Boca Raton] for at least three years, maybe more.” Wherever it is held, under the brave and bold leadership of Orlandini and his team plus the company’s wider support network, ‘The Classic’ looks well set to continue championing the beauty and power of the Prancing Horse for at least the next 35 years.
More information on Cavallino Classic events can be found here.
2026 Palm Beach Cavallino Classic full results:
BEST OF SHOW
Best of Show Gran Turismo: 1956 Ferrari 410 Superamerica Series 1 #0475 SA
Best of Show Competition: 1948 Ferrari 166 MM Berlinetta #02C/020 I
SPECIALTY AWARDS
The Chairman’s Award: 1964 275 GTB Competizione Speciale #6701
The Very First: 1948 166 MM Barchetta #0002M (the very first Ferrari ever imported in the United States)
Preservation Award: 1981 400i #F101C01033847
Restoration Award: 1960 250 GT Berlinetta Competizione Passo Corto #2231 GT
Elegance Award: 1959 250 California Passo Lungo #1217 GT
Cavallino Legacy: 1955 375 America #0355 AL
Honorary Judges’ Award: 1967 412 P #850
The People’s Choice Award: 1973 Dino 246 GT #5922
The Patron’s Award: 1956 250 GT Berlinetta Passo Lungo #0515 GT
Finest Ferrari Classiche Certified: 1967 412 P #850
The Best Sound Award: 2013 458 GT3 #F142 GT3 3406
The Cavallino Magazine Award: 1948 166 Spyder Corsa #016 I
BEST IN CLASS
The V12 Supercars: 2002 Enzo #ZFFCI56A830131241
The V8 Supercars: 1989 F40 #ZFFGJ34B000080748
The V8s: 1998 F355 Berlinetta #ZFFXR41B000109213
The 330 Family: 1967 330 GTC #9653
The 308 Family: 1989 GTB Turbo #ZFFZA27B000079590
The Testarossa Family: 1996 F512 M #ZFFVA40S000104273
The Dino Family: 1969 Dino 206 GT #310
The Early V12s: 1964 275 GTB Competizione Speciale #6701
The 550 Family: 1999 550 Maranello WSR #ZFFZR49B000116386
The 365 Family: 1972 365 GTC4 #14969
The 599 Family: 2013 SP30 Berlinetta #ZFF70RDT7B0188026
The Modern V12s: 1987 412 #ZFFDD25S000070595
The Iconas: 2020 Monza SP2 #ZFF94MSB000259304
The 250 Family: 1962 250 GTO #4153 GT
The Racers: 2013 458 GT #2862
The Superamerica Family: 1956 410 Superamerica #0475 SA
The Early Racers: 1948 166 MM Barchetta #0002M
