Despite the fact that I'm not a car nut, there are some four-wheeled hotties out there that can turn my head. And Ferrari has more than one or two cars that fit the bill. So, when I heard that this year's Masterpiece Style & Speed Showcase -- the fifth installment of this lakeshore gem of a show that takes place Aug. 22-23 at Veteran's Park -- features some vintage examples, I took notice.
The ace in the hole as far as I'm concerned is the 1972 Ferrari 246 Dino designed by Pininfarina. Owned by Racine's Bob and Linda Budlow, this was apparently Ferrari's first stab at the mid-engine road car market, with a 2.4-liter V6 sitting behind the driver's seat. But its the sleek, rollercoaster lines on this cherry red beauty that will catch your eye. It's no surprise that this car is regularly ranked among the world's most beautiful Ferraris.
Another rare and pricey example that will stop you in your tracks is the bright yellow, oval-grilled 1955 Ferrari 500 Mondial S2 Competition Spyder by Scaglietti. This car is so stunning that it graces the cover of the event program and much of the show's advertising.
Sure, these are among the cars valued at some astronomical figure in the millions, but they are just two of more than 300 vehicles that roll into Milwaukee from across the country and three continents for the show, which benefits Milwaukee Jewish Family Services.
"The Masterpiece has something for everyone -- a ‘must see' event for car aficionados, art lovers and families looking for an affordable day trip or stay-cation to Milwaukee's Lakefront," says Leon Flagg, chairman of the Masterpiece. "This year's fifth anniversary celebration will be the biggest yet, with many of the top names in automotive history well represented."
The Masterpiece show is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 22 and Sunday, Aug 23. One-day tickets at the gate are $15, and two-day passes run $20. Two-day passes can be purchased for $15 in advance by calling (414) 225-1302 before Aug. 19. Children 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult. Parking is $5.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
