Ferrari Power

The ultimate sports car sparks passion

By Susan Brierly

It was a car enthusiast’s dream. Row after row of pristine Ferraris gleaming in the morning sunlight—more than 90 of them meticulously aligned with hoods propped up, ready for inspection, as if in military salute. The scene would have brought a tear to the eye of any member of the venerable Ferrari Club of America.

It was the Penn-Jersey region’s 20th Annual Garden State Ferrari Fall Festival in Florham Park—a special members-only event that attracted die-hard auto fans from several states.

While most luxury cars were driven to the event by their owners or “handlers,” others were transported by motor coach. The large turnout was attributed to the clear skies—because many of these cars never would have made it out of their garages if rain had been in the forecast.

“You gotta love these cars,” said Dr. Jerry Molitor of Chester, co-founder of the region, past president and former host of the Fall Festival.

“The history of Enzo Ferrari and the Ferrari mystique lives on for all of us here. Whether you’re passionate about the vintage varieties or the newer models, there’s only one Ferrari, and we think it’s worth all the time and money and care that ownership requires.”

When Molitor isn’t discussing, restoring and racing cars, you’ll find him cruising around the fast-paced radiology department at Union Hospital in Union.

“This goes way beyond a hobby for me,” he says with a grin.

Living Enzo's Dream
Security was tight at the Fall Festival, and that’s a good thing. Molitor estimates that a cool $20 million in world-class sports cars basked in the sun that day, and many different types of Ferraris were in attendance—coupes, Spiders and competition cars.

At the top of the hill, the vintage models congregated in casually elegant colors like silver, gray and brown. And assembled in the central parking area were the newer, flashier models—most of them in the traditional Italian racing car shade of “rosso corsa” red with prancing horse logo—being waxed and buffed and re-waxed and re-buffed by guys who clearly relish every minute of it. After all, why else would these sane and successful business executives be eager to fork over about $300,000 for a vehicle that wouldn’t be delivered for 12 months?

Larry Gardner of Sparta, V.P. of Operations/Franchise for Toys “R” Us International, brought two of his playthings to the event—a 2003 red 360 Modena (sporting license plate TRUINTL) and a 1980 blue 400i.

When asked if Ferraris are a hobby or an obsession, Gardner reflected while his wife, Gloria, shot him a playful glance. “Let’s just say this is a lifestyle choice for us,” she chided. And Gloria should know—she’s the self-appointed V.P. of Logistics, chief coordinator of Gardner’s many shows and races. “I admit, automobiles are my passion,” he said, “and Ferrari remains the standard to which we aspire.”

The Best of the Best
Midmorning, as car owners made final preparations before judges began their rounds, Jim Wickstead, CEO of Wickstead Design Associates in Cedar Knolls, made a grand entrance in his 1961 silver 250 SWB. Every head turned as his short-wheelbase beauty was personally directed to the top of the viewing area to be displayed alongside the other vintage models. As Wickstead navigated up the driveway and parked (very carefully) in his spot, more than one Ferrari enthusiast was overheard remarking, “Now there’s the car I’d love to own.”

No wonder—the gorgeous and valuable 250 SWB is in pristine condition after the entrepreneur and industrial designer personally and painstakingly restored its every element in a 10-year labor of love. “I acquired it at the Paris Auto Show more than a decade ago, and it’s been my hobby ever since,” Wickstead said.

Meanwhile, Jerry Morici of Clifton, President of Jerome S. Morici LLC, coolly parked his 1967 275 GTB4 Spider convertible in a sunny spot. Those in the know quickly gathered around, noting that his model was conceived as a hardtop but re-engineered to be a Spider. A mere technicality, everyone agreed, because it’s a stunning model that looks jaunty in its hunter-green color.

For purists who prefer a Ferrari in its original condition, a favorite was the 1972 365 GTC/4 owned by Dr. Brian Silverman of Cranford, Director of Overlook Hospital’s Dental Center. The 12-cylinder engine was immaculate, and Silverman beamed as he showed it off to assembled fans. “Only 500 of this model were made in 1971 and 1972,” he said. “You don’t see many of them on the road any more, and this one has its original leather and ‘Colorado marrone’ brown paint.”

But enough of the waxing, buffing and hobnobbing. Morici checked his watch and concluded it was time to hit the road. He slid behind the wheel of his exquisite dark-green Spider and, as he put pedal to metal, proclaimed, “This is why I love my Ferrari. This car is for driving.”