The first Ferrari ever built, chassis no: 01C, will make its first-ever western United States appearance in Palm Springs during the inaugural Desert Classic Concours d'Elegance, set for March 1.

The first Ferrari ever built, chassis number 01C, will make its first-ever western United States appearance in Palm Springs during the inaugural Desert Classic Concours d'Elegance, set for March 1, 2008 at the historic O'Donnell Golf Club.

"This is the first time in 20 years this pristine automobile has made a public appearance," said event organizer, Paul Merrigan. "Ferrari has a unique history in Palm Springs, by recording its first western U.S. win here in 1951. We're bringing Ferrari excitement back by displaying this rare race car - the first built by Ferrari!"

Event organizer, Paul Merrigan, a first-prize winner at the world-famous Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 1998 in the Post-war GT Italian Coachwork class, expects only the world's finest automobiles to attend this event. The featured marquee is Maserati, with participants from Ferrari, Austin-Healey and Alfa Romeo clubs, the Classic Car Club of America, as well as Maserati and Packard clubs.

Another entry of significance is a custom-designed Howard "Dutch" Darrin Packard. One of just a limited few built, this automobile is considered to be a perfect match for the event, because of its association with Darrin, who crafted many of his cars for the same celebrities that brought worldwide notoriety to Palm Springs in the early 1940s. "Our event will focus attention to the unique history Palm Springs has in relation to these historically significant cars, as well as the celebrities and drivers that made them famous," Merrigan stated.

Promising to be a spectacle unlike anything seen before in Palm Springs, the event kicks-off on Friday, February 29, with the Tour Classique. At 11 a.m., the Tour Classique will begin at the O'Donnell Golf Course, with a 30-mile tour of the first thirty qualifying automobiles in the inaugural event. Spectators are invited to catch a glimpse of these rarely seen automobiles as they parade the streets of Palm Springs before returning for a private, preview gathering at the O'Donnell Golf Course.

On Saturday, March 1 the gates to the O'Donnell Golf Course open to the public from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. This is a rare opportunity for car aficionados to see some of the world?s rarest, elegant and most beautiful automobiles.