Palm Springs, CA - The first Ferrari ever built, chassis number 01C, will make its first-ever appearance in the western United States in Palm Springs at the inaugural Desert Classic Concours d'Elegance on March 1st.
Set to be held on the historic O'Donnell Golf Club, "this is the first time in twenty years that this automobile has made a public appearance," said event organizer Paul Merrigan. "Ferrari has a unique history in Palm Springs, by recording its first western U.S. win here in 1951, and we're bringing Ferrari excitement back to Palm Springs by displaying this rare race car - the first built by Ferrari!"
Event organizer, Paul Merrigan, a first-prize winner at the world-famous Pebble Beach Concous d'Elegance in 1998 in the Post-war GT Italian Coachwork Class, expects only the world's finest automobiles to attend this event.
The featured marque for the inaugural event is Maserati, with participants confirmed from Ferrari, Austin-Healey, Alfa Romeo clubs, as well as Maserati and Packard clubs, and the Classic Car Club of America.
Another entry of importance is a custom-designed Howard "Dutch" Darrin Packard. One of just a limited few built, this automobile is considered to be a perfect match for the event, because of its association with Darrin, who crafted many of his cars for the same celebrities that brought worldwide notoriety to Palm Springs in the early 1940's. "Our event will focus attention to the unique history Palm Springs has in relation to these historically significant cars, as well as the celebrities and drivers that made them famous," Merrigan stated.
The featured rare 1941 Packard was custom-designed by Dutch Darrin is one of the early entries confirmed in the inaugural event, says Desert Classic Concours organizer, Paul Merrigan. “One of just a limited few built, this automobile is a perfect match for our event, because of its association with Darrin, who crafted many of his cars for the same celebrities that brought worldwide attention to Palm Springs in the early 1940’s.
We anticipate that the Desert Classic Concours d’Elegance will have the same effect, and return some of that attention back to a city so rich in history during an era of exceptional car design,” commented Merrigan.
In 1998 Merrigan won first prize in the Post-war GT Italian Coachwork class at the world-famous Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
Merrigan expects only the world’s finest automobiles to attend this event.
Promising to be a spectacle unlike anything seen before in Palm Springs, the event kicks-off on Friday, February 29, with the Tour Classique. At 11 a.m., the Tour Classique will begin at the O’Donnell Golf Course, with a 30-mile tour of the first thirty qualifying automobiles in the inaugural event. Spectators are invited to catch a glimpse of these rarely seen automobiles as they parade the streets of Palm Springs before returning for a private gathering at the O’Donnell Golf Course.
On Saturday, March 1 the gates to the O’Donnell Golf Course open to the public at 9 a.m. This is a rare opportunity for car aficionados to see some of the world’s rarest, elegant and most beautiful automobiles.
General grounds admission tickets are $20. A limited amount of VIP tickets that include clubhouse admission, food and beverage are available for $150. Children under 10 and active duty/reserve military are free.
For details and other information call (760) 346-1810 or visit:
www.DesertConcours.com .
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