Very First Ferrari Makes Rare Appearance at Inaugural Desert Classic Concours d'Elegance, February 29 & March 1, 2008

PALM SPRINGS, Calif., Feb. 12, 2008; The first Ferrari ever built, Chassis Number 01C, will make its first-ever western United States appearance during the Inaugural Desert Classic Concours d'Elegance, at the historic O'Donnell Golf Club in Palm Springs, Calif.

"This is the first time in 20 years this pristine automobile has made a public appearance," said Paul Merrigan, event organizer. "Ferrari has a unique history in Palm Springs, by recording its first western U.S. win here in 1951, and we're bringing that excitement back with another historic Ferrari."

The event kicks-off on Friday, February 29, with the Tour Classique. Beginning at the O'Donnell Golf Club at 11 a.m., spectators are invited to catch a glimpse of many of the automobiles as they parade the streets of Palm Springs and other Coachella Valley cities.

On Saturday, March 1, the gates to the O'Donnell Golf Course open to the public from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. This is an extraordinary opportunity for car aficionados to see some of the finest and most beautiful automobiles ever made. The featured marque is Maserati, with early participants from Ferrari, Austin-Healey and Alfa Romeo clubs, the Classic Car Club of America, as well as Maserati and Packard clubs.

Other noteworthy entries include a 1930 Rally ABC, a 1926 Studebaker, a 1956 Alfa Villedeste, a 1955 Jaguar D-type and a rare 1941 Packard, custom-designed by Howard "Dutch" Darrin.

"One of just a limited few built, the 1941 Packard 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 1940s," said Merrigan, who won first prize in the Post-war GT Italian Coachwork class at the world-famous Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 1998.

General grounds admission tickets are $20; clubhouse tickets are $40; VIP tickets that include clubhouse admission and food/beverage are $150. Children under 10 and active duty/reserve military and seniors over 80 are free. For details and other information call (760) 346-1810 or visit: http://www.desertconcours.com/.

Proceeds benefit non-profit organizations: Lucy Curci Cancer Center, College of the Desert, Animal Samaritans and Angel Light Academy's Leadership Training Institute.