Ferrari/Maserati of Silicon Valley, Grand Opening

On Friday, April 29th, a brand new Ferrari/Maserati dealership opened in Redwood City, about 10 miles North of San Jose. Some good friends and new fellow Maserati Club International members, Jules and Judy Moritz, also being Ferrari Club members, were invited and kind enough to include us in the Grand Opening festivities. The dealership is beautiful, spacious and loaded with three fantastic Quattroportes, along with several coupes and spiders. One of the dealership owners, Art Zafiropoulo, has his collection of several Ferraris there, with a new 430 Spider and Coupe. He is a real hands-on dealer/car-owner. The other owner, Giacomo Mattioli, also owns Ferrari/Maserati of Beverly Hills. Another perk of the dealership is a free espresso bar and 19 seat mini-restaurant/lounge (one seat for each Formula One GP) for while you wait.

Above and beyond our beliefs, the only MC12 in the country was at the Grand Opening (Ferrari likes them and they are a factory authorized dealer). It is an unbelievable car and truly makes you proud. We got to open the doors and wander all over the piece of automotive artwork and could not find a flaw. Everyone was ogling the machine. As you can see in the pictures, I wore my Maserati jacket and was really glad I did. It seems Sandi and I were the only Maserati guests there. Jules and Judy were introducing us as Mr. and Mrs. Maserati!!! Folks asked if the MC 12 was ours!!!! After I got off the floor, I reservedly said no, not yet. (Though we understand Doug Magnon and his father have ordered one... and I used to like that guy... ha-ha. I'm so jealous).

We also got the opportunity to meet with the dealership Sales Manager, Charlie Miles and bend his ear about the Maserati Community and our getting more included in the events and activities. We explained that Sandi and I are the MCI hosts for the Monterey Auto Week and Italiano. He said that one of his pressing goals is to raise the visibility of the Maserati Cars and owners. We exchanged cards and will be talking more. I asked that he notify Sandi and I of any events/activities that the local Maserati owners should be aware of and we will pass the info along to MCI and Donald Buresh, our local Director. Mr. Miles seemed genuinely interested in the marque and was very pleasant to speak with.

Also while at the party it was our privilege to meet and speak with Mr. Ed Gilbertson and his wife Sheri. Ed is the Chief Judge at the Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance and for the Ferrari Club of North America. The rest of the evening went as you would expect, wine, hors d'hoeuvres and lots of beautiful machines followed by a wonderful Italian dinner near the dealership, arranged by Judy Moritz, at "Carpaccio," of Menlo Park. Judy is a realtor in the Atherton/Menlo Park area and really knows the places to go. Thank-you Judy for topping-off our evening perfectly and many thanks to you and Jules both, for getting us into the Grand Opening of the Ferrari/Maserati Dealership of Silicon Valley.

Written by Don Treadwell

Rear 3/4 of MC12	Front shot of MC12	I am speaking with Charlie Miles (Sales Manager)	I love my Jacket!!

Pacific Region, No. CA  NV
Donald F. Buresh, Regional Director
929A Main Street, St. Helena, CA 94574
Tel: (707) 548-2545
E-mail: dburesh@napanet.net