A delicate sea breeze swept over the rolling landscape of Misselwood at Endicott College in Beverly, the expansive 97-year-old property that played host on Saturday to what has become one of the North Shore’s most beloved classic car events.
Fifteen years in, the“Concours d’Elegance” has become an annual pilgrimage for car enthusiasts and casual observers alike who come to see rare antique cars and motorcycles that are nostalgic, quirky, elegant and, often, priceless.
The show’s theme this year was “Jaguar” and “American Made,” and there were stunning examples of these, including a ’63 Corvette/’69 Ford Mustang/’68 Chevy Camaro line up greeting attendees that made quite a splash. But, strolling around the Misselwood Concours, nothing quite caught the eye like a fire-red ‘88 Ferrari Mondial Cabriolet, especially when that Ferrari was accompanied by a photo of Pope John Paul II taking it out for a spin.
The story behind the image comes to life the second you start talking to the car’s owner, Lynnfield-based Frank Gagliardi, who acquired the vehicle 10 years ago at auction in southern California. Frank’s passion for cars became apparent as soon as he opened his mouth, launching into the car’s technical specs during a breathless walkthrough of the car and its impressively organized set of original Ferrari factory tools.
The photo of the Pope piloting the Ferrari traces back to a hot 1988 day in the car company’s headquarters outside Modena, Italy, which was in high anticipation for a Papal blessing of the manufacturing plant. With the sun beating down on his stuffy “Popemobile,” John Paul II spotted the Ferrari Mondial Cabriolet that had just come off the assembly line and requested a substitution for his ride. Circling the Maranello Ferrari Factory in the freshly completed vehicle, Pope John Paul II blessed the factory and proceeded through the streets to greet throngs of visitors.
Frank strikes the perfect balance between particular care for his cars and a generous spirit of sharing the joy of his vehicles with visitors. Upon seeing my interest in the car and its unique history, Frank immediately invited me to sit in the driver’s seat to better appreciate the vehicle, saying cars are meant to be used, touched, and enjoyed. Even one with such an impressive pedigree.
His exuberance kept him going, regaling stories of other cars with notable provenances that have passed through his hands. A Chrysler 300 owned by the producer of“I Love Lucy” and “Beverly Hillbillies” that Frank sold to a fan on a farm in Pennsylvania. A Porsche featured in the cult movie “Run” sold to someone in John Travolta’s orbit. And, as for this particular Ferrari, Frank experienced a seismic change in interest from people wanting to touch the car after Pope John Paul II was posthumously named a Saint by the Catholic Church.
And there were so many other important cars on display. A 1932 Ford B5 Window Highboy. A 1950 Ferrari 195 Inter. A 1963 Porsche 356B Cabriolet. A 1955 Jaguar XK140 DHC. A 1974 Volkswagen Super Beetle. A 1974 BMW 2002. A 2005 Bentley Continental GT. This event is about giving car lovers a direct connection to automotive history in all its flavors. And it’s worth noting that all proceeds from Concours d’Elegance funds Endicott College’s Inspire Scholarship, which provides tuition assistance for first-generation college students.
The judging process in this event differs slightly from other concours. Instead of a rigid points system for all cars of the same type, the Misselwood judges assess condition, type and background, paying close attention to details of the car’s history and original parts.
This brings us back to Frank Gagliardi’s 1988 Ferrari Mondial Cabriolet. It won first place, best in class this year at the 2025 Concours d’Elegance. From the papal pedigree, its original screwdrivers and wrench set (all of which were emblazoned with the Ferrari logo) and its perfect condition, Frank’s car shot straight to the top of the judges’ list.
It was clearly a favorite, not just for the judges but for spectators too.
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