Ferrari has selected the 35th Palm Beach Cavallino Classic as the stage for the North American debut of the Ferrari 849 Testarossa, confirming the model’s unveiling at the Party Under the Stars on February 13, 2026, at The Boca Raton. The decision underscores the Cavallino Classic’s standing as a trusted forum for Ferrari product milestones where contemporary innovation is presented alongside documented automotive history.
The announcement reinforces the Palm Beach Cavallino Classic as a central platform in Ferrari’s North American product strategy for 2026, while underscoring the event’s standing as a premier destination for Ferrari collectors, historians, and enthusiasts who value both contemporary automotive innovation and historical continuity.
A Historic Unveiling Blending Heritage and Innovation
Ferrari will officially present the 849 Testarossa during the opening night festivities of the Cavallino Classic. Set within an intimate and meticulously curated environment that reflects Ferrari’s global presentation standards, the unveiling marks the first opportunity for North American audiences to experience the model in person.
The debut underscores Ferrari’s deliberate effort to connect historic naming conventions with modern design and engineering. By reviving the Testarossa name, Ferrari directly engages collector nostalgia while introducing a technologically advanced flagship model that reflects the brand’s future direction.
The Ferrari 849 Testarossa and the Legacy of the Original Testarossa
The Ferrari 849 Testarossa draws its name from one of the most iconic models in Ferrari history. The original Ferrari Testarossa, introduced in 1984, became an enduring symbol of performance, luxury, and bold design. The name itself, meaning “red head,” originated from Ferrari racing engines of the 1950s and later came to define an entire generation of supercars.
The new Ferrari 849 Testarossa builds on that legacy through advanced hybrid engineering. The model combines a twin turbocharged V8 engine with three electric motors, producing a total output exceeding 1,000 horsepower. This level of performance places the Ferrari 849 Testarossa among the most powerful road cars the marque has ever produced, while preserving the emotional resonance associated with the Testarossa name.
Ferrari Showcases Its Full Model Range at the Palm Beach Cavallino Classic
In addition to the debut of the Ferrari 849 Testarossa, Ferrari will present its complete current production lineup throughout the Palm Beach Cavallino Classic weekend. Confirmed models include the Ferrari Amalfi and the Ferrari Purosangue, the brand’s first four door, four seat vehicle.
Displaying the full Ferrari range alongside the 849 Testarossa provides valuable context for the brand’s broader design and engineering strategy. This approach reflects Ferrari’s emphasis on cohesion across its portfolio rather than isolated product introductions, allowing collectors to experience Ferrari’s past, present, and future within a single curated setting.
Ferrari has also confirmed that a new Ferrari One-Off model will be displayed publicly at Casa Ferrari during the Cavallino Classic weekend. Ferrari One-Off vehicles represent the highest level of customization offered by the marque and are produced as singular commissions for individual clients, highlighting Ferrari’s continued investment in bespoke craftsmanship.
Historic Ferraris That First Arrived in America Displayed Together
A highlight of the 35th Palm Beach Cavallino Classic will be the public display of the first two Ferraris ever imported into the United States. This marks the first time these historically significant vehicles have been shown together in a public setting.
Their inclusion provides a documented and factual connection between Ferrari’s earliest American presence and its contemporary product announcements. Rather than relying on retrospective interpretation, the display presents original artifacts that anchor Ferrari’s American history.
The Ferrari 166 MM Touring Barchetta, chassis number 0002M, became the first Ferrari to reach American soil on January 31, 1949. The car crossed the Atlantic aboard the Vulcania before traveling from New York to Burbank, California. Built in late 1948 as a prototype, it featured a full lusso interior and windscreen wipers that were not retained on later examples. It appeared at both the Turin and Paris Motor Shows before being sold by Luigi Chinetti to Tommy Lee of Hillcrest Motors.
The second Ferrari imported into the United States was the 166 Spyder Corsa, chassis number 0016 I, which arrived later in 1949 under the direction of Briggs Cunningham. It became the first Ferrari to compete in an American race at Bridgehampton in June 1949 and secured Ferrari’s first U.S. racing victory at the Suffolk County Airport Race in May 1950. The car later received Best of Show Competition honors at the Palm Beach Cavallino Classic.
Preserving, Certifying, and Collecting Ferrari History
Complementing the historical displays, the Palm Beach Cavallino Classic will host dedicated presentations for Ferrari Classiche and The Ferrari Foundation. Ferrari Classiche serves as the authoritative body responsible for certification, restoration, and verification of historic Ferrari vehicles, reinforcing the brand’s institutional commitment to authenticity and provenance.
The weekend also includes the return of the Cavallino Auction by RM Sotheby’s, a long standing partner of the Cavallino Classic. Internationally recognized for its expertise in Ferrari focused auctions and historic automotive sales, RM Sotheby’s provides collectors with access to some of the most significant Ferrari automobiles available on the global market.
A Defining Moment for Ferrari and the Palm Beach Cavallino Classic
Together, the North American debut of the Ferrari 849 Testarossa, the display of historically significant Ferraris, and the presence of Ferrari’s heritage and market institutions position the Palm Beach Cavallino Classic as an authoritative stage for Ferrari product milestones and collector culture.
The Cavallino Classic offers a comprehensive narrative of Ferrari’s evolution in the United States, from its earliest arrival on American soil to its latest flagship model, only affirming the Cavallino Classic’s role as a must attend gathering for Ferrari historians, collectors, and enthusiasts.
Since 1978, Cavallino is a Concorso d’Eleganza about the most beloved car brand in the world: Ferrari.The Palm Beach Cavallno Classic stands as a living archive of Ferrari’s presence in the United States, where legacy, innovation, and collector culture converge.
All images courtesy of Cavallino.