This year’s Cavalcade Classiche visited a corner of Italy like no other
If you had to choose a place to test every aspect of a car’s prowess, from high mountain climbs to fast coastal roads, you would look no further than the Friuli Venezia Giulia region of Italy. Just over one million people live within this glorious province of 3,059 square miles, an area that boasts snow-capped Alps – whose sides are littered with vineyards at almost every turn – and a coastline that transforms from long sandy beaches to impossibly high cliff faces at the drop of a gear. The perfect destination then, for this year’s Cavalcade Classiche – a unique touring event specially catered towards Ferrari’s ‘Classiche’ models, those cars which were built twenty years ago or more.
Above: witness the beautiful cars and stunning scenery that made this year's Cavalcade Classiche one of the best ever…
The drivers, as always, answered the call from every corner of the globe, with Prancing Horses arriving from as far afield as South Africa, Mexico and even Australia. Indeed, by the time the cocktail outfits had been unpacked for the welcome dinner at the Tivoli Portopiccolo Sistiana Wellness Resort & Spa, over 60 historic Ferraris were in residence, showcasing the very best of 20th century automotive innovation. From the very first Ferrari, the 125 S, right through to that pinnacle of engineering, the Ferrari F40, a fine selection of some of the finest cars ever to emerge from Maranello were present.
Above: the seventh Cavalcade Classiche was a unique touring event specially catered towards Ferrari’s ‘Classiche’ models, those cars which were built twenty years ago or more
Day one’s departure was a sight – and sound – to behold; the beautiful, curved bay of the seaside village resonating with the roar of finely-tuned masterpieces, as the Prancing Horses departed at a rate of two cars per minute.
Led by Ferrari Vice Chairman Piero Ferrari, son of founder Enzo Ferrari, who had returned once again with his grandson, Enzo Mattioli Ferrari (the pair were driving an Enzo and a F40 respectively), the procession headed out to the hills and vineyards of the Collio wine region before dipping down to begin a tour of some of the most picturesque villages Italy has to offer.
Above: the Friuli Venezia Giulia region played host to some of the finest cars ever to emerge from Maranello
The Renaissance city of Udine’s extraordinary Piazza della Libertà played host to a car exhibition while the drivers paused for lunch, giving delighted locals the opportunity to walk amongst the living embodiments of Ferrari’s illustrious history, from the early years of road and racing innovation (including several 166 MM Ferraris and a rare inline-6 121 LM) through to the supercars that have set technological standards over the decades, including the GTO, F40, F50, and the Ferrari Enzo.
From there the procession filed out and roared down towards the sea through the towns of Palmanova and Aquileia, with a symphony of iconic V12 and V8 icons announcing their arrival long before they appeared on the horizon.
If day one’s adventures had given the cavalcade a taste of Italy’s historic architecture, day two and three provided an opportunity for the natural landscape to shine through. Beginning with a drive across the border into Slovenia and along the Isonzo river to the UNESCO heritage city of Idrija, the cavalcade continued on for the final day through the Karst region to Trieste, whose Opicina hill has played host to the Albo d'Oro automobilistico hill climb race since the beginning of the last century.
Above: appreciative crowds, picture perfect towns and endless open roads characterised a perfect Cavalcade Classiche 2024
This seventh Classiche was undoubtedly the best yet, but it begs the question, what makes the perfect Cavalcade? The cars are crucial, of course, but perhaps more important are the people, that community of spirited drivers from all over the world who come together for one weekend of shared enjoyment out on the open road. Because come evening, when each Ferrari is safely tucked away and the champagne joins the setting sun, it’s the unique stories of adversity, triumph and friendship that make the Cavalcade Classiche one of the most exciting, exclusive and sought-after events in the motoring calendar.