As the golden rays of dawn streamed brilliantly onto the Chin Woo Stadium, a steady purr of mid-engined classic Ferraris filled the air. More and more classic Ferraris would soon join the gathering, held at the base of the soon-to-be-completed Merdeka 118, the world’s second-tallest building currently and a monument to the adjacent Merdeka stadium which hosted the joyous proclamation of Malaya’s independence (Merdeka) on August 31, 1957.
Among the beauties on display were the 328, 328 GTS, 355, 355 GTS, 360 and a special 360 Challenge Stradale, a street-legal and track-focussed version of the 360 Modena. Joining the festivities were Ferrari Owners’ Club Malaysia (FOCM) members with their modern Ferraris. At breakfast within the nostalgic ambience of Malaya Nyonya House, the participants savoured a delicious and very Malaysian breakfast of nasi lemak, the quintessential coffee-shop breakfast eggs and kaya-butter toast, and Hainan-styled iced coffees and milk teas. There was even time post-breakfast for the participants to savour the King of Fruits, the Malaysian durian with the Musang King and Black Thorn varieties on offer from specialist Durian Lady.
Following the push off, the entire convoy was led by the new Roma Spider piloted by representatives from Ferrari’s official Malaysian importer and dealer Ital Auto Malaysia. Before long, the Roma Spider was turning into the Raintree Plaza of Tun Razak Exchange City, a 70-acre development which also retained an iconic raintree, fondly called the “Merdeka Tree” for having been around since then.
At the plaza, a throng of early visitors the The Exchange TRX shopping centre enjoyed the sight of the Ferraris in formation. The owners, meanwhile, trooped into the shopping centre to enjoy retail experiences hosted by a slew of event partners. Among them were team Scuderia Ferrari global partners Giorgio Armani and Ray-Ban, as well as luxury Italian jeweller Bulgari and Italian perfumer Acqua Di Parma with their popular car diffusers clad in Poltrona Frau leather.
Lunch beckoned at Aurum Theatre with the Ferrari owners enjoying a refreshing glass of Chandon Spritz with their custom Malaysian menu of pineapple rojak, sup ayam berempah, mee mamak, bubur pulut hitam and pandan layer cakes. To cap it all off was a lucky draw of three pairs of Golden Screen Cinemas’ Velvet Signature tickets and two pairs of Ray-Ban for Scuderia Ferrari Collection glasses, with FOCM president Abu Rizal Bakri Sulaiman and event organising chairman Dato’ Tan Su Cheng presenting the prizes to the winners.
More photos of the FOCM Classic Ferrari Gathering
