BEVERLY HILLS, CA – Ferrari celebrated its 60th anniversary in the USA with a lineup of musical performances, a thrilling auction, limited-edition car reveal, and a boisterous spectacle of fireworks behind a scenic Beverly Hills backdrop.
The Beverly Hills City Hall was bathed in rosso Ferrari with the emblem of the Prancing Horse displayed in grandeur on the building’s façade. The event was presided by John Elkann, Chairman of FCA, Sergio Marchionne, CEO of FCA and Chairman of Ferrari, Amedeo Felisa, CEO of Ferrari, and Piero Ferrari, Vice Chairman of Ferrari.
Auctioneer David Gooding brought the guests to their feet as he auctioned the first of 499 examples of the newest 458 Speciale A. The car sold for $900,000 with proceeds benefitting “Daybreak,” the American branch of the Italian charity whose mission for nearly 25 years has been to advance research towards a cure for rare genetic diseases.
The 458 Speciale A wasn’t the only Prancing Horse on display. In honor of the Ferrari’s era in the USA, the limited-edition F60 America was unveiled to private guests of the black-tie event.
The evening commenced with a star-studded lineup of musical performances, including Italian conductor Carlo Ponti Jr. leading the Los Angeles Virtuosi Orchestra, renowned violinist Caroline Campbell and Grammy-award winner Mary J. Blige. Notable guests were actress Megan Fox, TV presenter Mario Lopez, polo player Nacho Figueras and wife Delfina Blaquier, entrepreneur Robert Herjavec, director Michael Mann, and racecar drivers Derek Hill and Dan Gurney.
A lavish display of fireworks concluded the evening’s celebration.