After forty-five years in the U.S., the ex-King Leopold III 342 America Cabriolet returned to Europe in a spectacular fashion, destined for a tour of major shows and events from Italy to Great Britain. Air-freighted from Chicago, it arrived at the Frankfurt airport on April 17th, and was then trucked to Michel Zumbrunn's studio in Fallanden, Switzerland. The famous PF Cab, s/n 0234AL, will also be presented to members of the Belgian Royal family before it returns to the home of the present owner, Art Zapiropoulo.

0234 AL arrives in Frankfurt after 45 years in America. Click here for larger image.		From the airport, 0234 AL went to the studio of Michel Zumbrunn. Click here for larger image.

Construction of 0234 AL was completed by Ferrari on October 29th, and sent to PininFarina. Delivered to King Leopold in May of 1953, the engine was updated to a 4.5 liter unit in 1954. In the early 1960s, it was sold to John Mastroianni of Armonk New York, who kept it until 1997 after using it as a daily commuter. Zapiropoulo, who owns many other Ferraris, purchased the car from Symbolic in October 1998, and planned a total restoration.

Zafiropoulo, center, and Massini, right, inspect the car. Click here for larger image.		Engine shot at the studio. Click here for larger image.

The car was sensationally restored by Wayne Obry in Neenah/WI and finished in time for last year's Pebble Beach Concours. It achieved 99.5 points and placed 2nd in August 2001. Zafiropoulo, who is in the semi-conductor business and owns a huge company in Atherton, CA, was then convinced by me to show his car in 2002 at three major European Concours: Villa d'Este 26-28 April, then Louis Vuitton Concours at Bagatelle (Paris) end of June and 6-8 July 2002 at Castle Schwetzingen near Heidelberg, Germany. We also plan to bring 0234AL together with two other royal Ferraris to Goodwood, since so far there's no special class for the 342 America Cabriolet.

At the Ville d'Este show, April 26-28, 0234 AL is presented with a magnificent background. Click here for larger image.		Side view of the ex-King Leopold Ferrari. Click here for larger image.

Watching the King Leopold Ferrari arrive in Frankfurt was exciting and interesting, and fortunately there were no problems enroute. It was photographed, then the stunning black Ferrari was shown at the Ville d'Este Concours at Cernobbio, Lake Como Italy. Zapiropoulo, who was experiencing his first time at Ville d'Este, was elated when the car was awarded Best in Show by the jury, which included Dr. Ing. Carlo Felice Bianchi Anderloni (Chairman) of Carrozzeria Touring fame, Charles Lord March (Goodwood), Mr. Patrick Le Quément (France, Chief Designer of Renault), Mr. Shotaro Kobayashi (Car Graphic in Japan), Dr. Lorenzo Ramaciotti (Managing Director Pininfarina SpA), Mr. Jürgen Lewandowski (automobile historian and book author, Germany), Mr. Carlo-Otto Brambilla (Secretary, Italy). In addition, 0234AL was also awarded the Corrado Millanta Trophy (Press Award) and the BMW Italia Trophy (Peoples Choice Award).

Interior of 0234 AL. Click here for larger image.		Art Zafiropoulo with Best of Show trophy. Click here for larger image.

After the event in Heidelberg, the car will go for a few days to Brussels where it will be presented to members of the Royal Family in Belgium, together with Jacques Swaters of Garage Francorchamps. For Zafiropoulo, this will be the final jewel in this crown tour, fit for this royal Ferrari. It will then be air-freighted back to San Francisco.

Also at Ville d'Este was Christoph Ringier's 250GT Europa, S/N 0391 GT. Click here for larger image.		Guido Lamperti's 365GT Spider, S/N 12201. Click here for larger image.

Among the other Ferraris entered at this year's Ville d'Este, was 250 GT Europa #0391 GT of Christoph Ringier (Switzerland) and 365 GTS Spider #12201 of Guido Lamperti (Italy). The 250 MM Berlinetta Pinin Farina #0310 MM of Peter Von Muralt had been withdrawn due to suspension problems. A coupe and convertible ASA were also present. Of course, there was the usual array of significant Alfa Romeos, the Ville d'Este model being the most popular.

A stunning Alfa 1900 Touring at Ville d'Este. Click here for larger image.		A brace of Alfa 2500s grace the grounds they are named after. Click here for larger image.
Two ASAs, also shown at Ville d'Este. Click here for larger image.		HISTORY Click here for the history of the 342 America Cabriolet.