Hollywood, meet California: First example of new Ferrari fetches $520k in charity auction
Click for more hi-res images from the Ferrari California launch event in Santa Monica, California
"We're not building a cheap Ferrari". That was the oft-repeated party line from Maranello as the Prancing Horse marque was plainly working on the new California. Well no kidding, not at these prices.
The first example of the Ferrari California was sold during its American unveiling in Santa Monica this week, garnering a top bid of $520,000. The event was attended by a handful of Hollywood celebrities, and even the Governator dropped by. Half a million can buy you a lot of car, and the California is expected to retail for about a third of that amount, but of course that's not the point: proceeds from the sale will go to the After-School All-Stars charitable foundation. Press release after the jump and images in the gallery below.
Gallery: Ferrari California US unveiling
[Source: Ferrari]
PRESS RELEASE
Emotion and passion at the Ferrari California world premiere at Maranello and Los Angeles
Charity auction at Los Angeles
in the presence of governor Schwarzenegger
The best from both events on www.ferraricalifornia.com
Maranello 19th September - The Ferrari California world premiere ended late last night with more than 1,000 guests from all over the world at Los Angeles and Maranello.
At the private airport of Santa Monica, where the US-American presentation was held, the new Ferrari California came under the hammer for 520,000 USD at a charity auction. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor of California, made a brief appearance at the event to commend Ferrari for their commitment in supporting After-School All-Stars, an association that engages middle-school kids in activities that increase confidence and encourage success in all areas of their lives, to which the auction's earnings will be donated.
Meanwhile the Ferrari California was presented at Maranello by Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo, together with the Scuderia Ferrari drivers Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa, who drove the car inside the new factory building, planned by Jean Nouvel, surrounded by images from the history of the Prancing Horse. Michael Schumacher, involved in the development of the new Granturismo from Maranello, underlined the sporty qualities and flexibility of the new California.
The event was broadcasted on www.ferraricalifornia.com, where as of now the most significant images of the events are recalled.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Rick 10:34AM (9/23/2008)
Wow, look at those huge airbags protecting the driver's seat.
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Bungle 10:35AM (9/23/2008)
If she comes with the car, that's a fair price.
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Torrent 12:00PM (9/23/2008)
Such a pretty girl. Such a fugly car. But somehow, looking at her makes it all better.
Menice 10:42AM (9/23/2008)
who's next to her... bozo the clown?
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Seminole 11:58AM (9/23/2008)
Her pimp
CORVETTE ZR1 10:45AM (9/23/2008)
It's Still Ugly... $520k. It's Not Worth $5k... Cause It's So... Ugly. The Last Good Looking Was The 1998 Ferrari F355. Anything After That is Just A Over Priced No Style Peace Of Crap... Besides The Enzo & 612 There The Only New Age Ferrari's With A Bit Of Style. Sorry... ppl.
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J.S. 11:01AM (9/23/2008)
Okay, how long have you had that bottled up inside? So what should we all do now?
MajorGeek 11:02AM (9/23/2008)
But, If You Type with Everything Capitalized, It Makes The Word ferrari Look Classier. It's Worth 5k ;) P.S Piece and their. Thanks for making my horrible spelling and grammar look good :)
PiCASSO 1:20PM (9/23/2008)
Wow... I can't believe how much I hate your responses. You are like a 5-year old child who figured out how to blog on this site. Please save your comments on this Ferrari and any other automotive related material to your mommy and daddy, as most of us here don't want to hear it.
GDUB 3:03PM (9/23/2008)
Totally agree the chick is skank city the car well its just boaring why not just buy a solstice and get it over with.
Berto 11:06PM (9/23/2008)
So you've reached 45 and the only one you can afford is the 355. Justification maybe?
nastinupe 10:46AM (9/23/2008)
Wow... Not one picture of the actual car that everyone was invited out to see. Wow... just wow.
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bob 10:47AM (9/23/2008)
who is that? she should definitely come with the car.
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madgamer 5:37PM (9/23/2008)
It looks like brittany gastineau (sp?). She had a show on E! for a while with her mom or something.
Hamud 10:51AM (9/23/2008)
520K with the babe???
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Jorge 10:59AM (9/23/2008)
Who cares about the car or the price, she looks great!!!
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coolremo 11:01AM (9/23/2008)
Does the woman come with the car? If so then the price is worth it. :-)
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Gary 11:01AM (9/23/2008)
I thought everybody in California only bought Priuses?
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Shardm 12:31PM (9/23/2008)
You're thinking Norcal
coolremo 11:01AM (9/23/2008)
on a serious note, wtf is john lovitz doing there lol
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