8/17/08
The 500 Mondial at Pebble Beach
The big story at Pebble Beach for me was watching Admiral Robert
Phillips present his 500 Mondial to the public after 40 years of
dormancy. The Admiral (in the light jacket) waited for the judges to
scrutinize his car. David Carte (hands in pockets) worked with
Robert to get this car to this level of restoration, and watched from
the side.
If you follow this website, then you'll know all about how the Admiral
found this car in 1960, raced it in club racing as a young Navy man,
and parked it in 1968. The Mondial saw many moves through the years,
but had not moved under its own power until just a few weeks ago. The
results of Carte's shop and the Admiral's hard work brought this car to
Pebble Beach. Just the invitation to show this car at the biggest event
in the Country was an honor, but the accolades were still coming in!
The support crew was ready to help the Admiral through the process of
judging. Michael Bayer got his hands dirty on this car as well, and
joined the Phillips family in the tension of presenting the car!
It was obvious the competition was fierce, with spectacular cars placed
in the same class. Getting the car to the lawn was quite an
accomplishment, and everyone was elated to be here.
As the judges called up the first three places in class, Robert and his
wife were asked to join the other cars at the reviewing stand. Mrs.
Phillips later told me that after nearly 50 years of ownership, this
was the first time she rode in the car. All the other chances to ride
in it, the Mondial was a dirty smelly race car!
Team Phillips was made up of friends and family, and we joined the
procession of winning show cars to the reviewing stand. The Mondial was
suffering from a worn out clutch mechanism from trying participate in
the Pebble Beach Tour. Keeping her to any speed short of flat out was
not part of her design, so by the time Sunday rolled around, the clutch
only had a couple engagements left. The thought was to push her as
close to the reviewing stand, and allow the Admiral to slip the clutch
one last time up the ramp to receive her award under the Mondial's own
power!
As the Phillips' reached the top of the ramp, they were not only
awarded best in class, but also best Ferrari at Pebble Beach. We were
all teary eyed when we heard the news.
Pictured here with their son Bryan, the Phillips shared a moment that
was monumental to any car owner. Not only to be recognized by the
Pebble Beach Judges, but to have owned this car for nearly 50 years,
fixed her, raced her, restored her, showed her, and won in her by the
same family is not something that happens often. Congratulations!
Just a reminder, I'm looking for a
new Vintage Ferrari Project. If you have, or know of a restoration
project, please let me know. It would be great to restore another car
on this website! My E-mail.
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