Seattleites braved the heat to view Ferraris from across the local area — from Kamloops, British Columbia to Bend, Or., and everything in between. The Pacific Northwest chapter of Ferrari Club of America hosted its fifth and final Ferrari Concours d’Elegance in Renton on Sunday, July 8, 2018.
“We not only [had] close to 100 Ferraris today … we also had singers, Roberto Delmonte, an italian singer, and an operatic tenor, Thomas Sufalo,” said Erik Swensson, an assistant regional director for the local Ferrari club. Along with five food trucks from around the area and plenty of good times.
Next year there won’t be any Ferrari Concours d’Elegance in the PNW area but come 2021 there’s going to be a international event held in Portland. To set the stage for the larger and more complicated event, the PNW Chapter is putting its yearly event to rest (for now at least).
The news that this would be the final Ferrari Concours d’Elegance didn’t hamper spirits at the 2018 event.
“This is my first time coming out here. I was so excited when I found out a week ago from a friend of mine,” said Ming Jacobson, an attendee of the show. “They come here every year, so I decided to go and take a look at it… and enjoy antique cars.”
Jacobson enjoyed the differences between the modern and classic cars. On display were models ranging from 1949 to 2018 with some very unique pieces, such as a one of 36 1962 250 GTO – a sight to behold during the show.
“[The Ferrari Concours d’Elegance] is amazing. I cannot believe how many gorgeous cars are out here and to see them all lined up together,” said Amanda Freedman, general manager of Driver’s Club in Bellevue, a sponsor of the Concours.
Driver’s Club, a membership club for high-end car connoisseurs, brought their own RV with libations for those over 21. The Driver’s Club RV was the place to escape the oppressive heat and enjoy the shadier side of Ferrari culture, and a nice place to discuss their Bellevue location.
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“We are here to support the community of car collectors and people who like to drive their cars … And we kinda brought our own party today,” Freedman said of their RV and libations. Though she enjoyed having the Ferraris lined up, it gave her a chance to meet with owners of Ferraris and other fine vehicles, to meet potential members face-to-face.
The show included the operatic echos of local artists, the smells of food trucks, internationally-known artists and a few vendors. As the curtain fell on the last PNW Ferrari Concours d’Elegance, the sounds of Pavarotti’s Nessun Dorma whisked attendees away on a mournful farewell.
“We just thought this was a good time to say, ‘that’s it for this area’. We’ve been chosen by the national Ferrari Club of America to be the region that hosts the International Ferrari Club meet,” Swensson said of the specific location in Renton.
Until the international event, the local chapter will still be doing its monthly drives and meetings with members, but no other Ferrari Concours d’Elegance.
“The people that I have met in this club have been tremendous. It’s really a second family,” Swensson said. “As they say ‘The cars get you in the club and the people keep you in the club’.”
Crowds left with the soulful rumblings of Ferrari engines driving off into the sunny afternoon bouncing around their chests and smiles adorned their faces, especially the ones driving off in their Ferraris.
“The weather was great. The people were great. Everybody had a good time. …They came here to show their car and be with friends. You can’t beat that,” finished Swensson.
It’ll be quite a while until a display such as these prancing horses will be assembled again, and it won’t be close for our Seattle readers. Until then, keep tabs on the upcoming public events on the Northwest Region of the Ferrari Club of America Facebook page. Stay up to date on the impending National Ferrari Club of America meet in Portland, Or., by visiting the Ferrari Club of America website.
Stay tuned to The Auto Reporter for “5 Days of Ferrari Galleries” to see all 127 images taken during the 2018 Ferrari Concours d’Elegance.
