There is a timeless elegance associated with Hollywood and the global jetset enjoying 1950s Italy.
Thanks to commercial aviation — the world’s elite could now, for the first time in history, vacation in far more exotic locales efficiently and without any month-long boatrides there and back.
This magical era of big-budget Hollywood movies also was the first time films would be distributed globally as well, thanks to advances in projector and film reel affordability.
Upon arrival in Capri or St. Tropez, the stars of the day fell hard for all the accoutrements of the Italian luxury lifestyle — including Ferrari’s.
Ingrid Bergman widely epitomizes this era of topless sunbathing by day and ball-gowns by night. Although well before our time, Bergman is still a legend. She was the most famous actress in the world when she met and married Italian filmmaker Roberto Rossellini in 1950 — causing a kerfuffle with her movie studio back home (stars had to be moral figures during this time). This Swedish starlet felt cast off from the system that had embraced her wholeheartedly, and took refuge in Italy for most of the 1950s.
She and Jackie Kennedy are truly lasting icons of timeless elegance.
Her gilded cage was not a bad gig, mind you. Rossellini commissioned a custom Ferrari 375MM for her in 1954, and that car inspires the latest Tailor Made custom from Ferrari: the 2015 California T for Auto Shanghai.
Its custom Grigio Ingrid color is the most telling change from the Tailor Made customization, and shows how understated luxury may be the new vogue for Chinese super-luxury shoppers.
The 488 GTB and a tasty white California T with a gloss-black roof also grace the huge Ferrari stand at Auto Shanghai, opening to the public tomorrow April 22.
Ferrari Auto Shanghai California T
2015 Ferrari California T by Tailor Made
Tailor Made Elegance
Jackie Kennedy in particular was known for her impeccable taste not only in her own dress but in her 1961 redecoration of the White House. Waxed edges on the leather of the central console and the inside of the doors give the car an even more luxurious appearance.
Despite the vintage inspiration, the interiors of this California T still have a contemporary feel.
The matte grey metallic details on the dash board and central console lend a cool modern touch, as do the black Alcantara inserts in the seating. Even the floor mats are noteworthy: they are made of 100% pure virgin wool from New Zealand with a natural jute background, this is carpet normally used in luxury home interior decoration and have an exceptionally plush feel.
Combining a restrained exterior with superb interiors, this California T shows off the best of Ferrari’s Tailor Made program. It is a perfect demonstration of how the Ferrari design team can interpret design elements of the past, while giving them a fresh and innovative twist, resulting in a car that is strikingly beautiful.
Tom Burkart is the founder and managing editor of Car-Revs-Daily.com, an innovative and rapidly-expanding automotive news magazine.
He holds a Journalism JBA degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Tom currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina with his two amazing dogs, Drake and Tank.
Mr. Burkart is available for all questions and concerns by email Tom(at)car-revs-daily.com.