BARONE'S C&CM

  On May 12th I participated in Women’s Day at Scottsdale Maserati .  I was to discuss my great enthusiasm for the marque and how I’ve loved all my Maseratis.  Well, when I got up to speak, I was totally caught unaware… it was a ruse to get me to come to the event (which I helped organize).  The dealership presented me with this beautiful crystal piece engraved with the Maserati Logo and name and says, “Honorary Brand Ambassador Award”, “In recognition of knowledge and commitment to increase brand awareness among women”.   To say the least this is a very meaningful recognition especially since I really do love my Maseratis. My first Maserati led me to join the Ferrari Club 9 years ago which is a fun part of my life.  I continue to make so many wonderful friends.    Investment Advisory Services offered through Mutual Advisors, LLC DBA Biltmore Advisors, an SEC registered investment advisor.  

  Recently, I bought a new set of tires for Francesca, my Maserati GranTurismo Sport. Nothing is more important on a high-performance vehicle than good tires and brakes, and equally important is having a trusted relationship with a qualified professional. Your life is literally in their hands. Which is why I took Francesca over to my friend Ryan Castro of Discount Tire on Camelback Road in Phoenix. Although Discount Tire is one of the country’s largest tire and wheel retailers, the company is headquartered right here in Scottsdale, and I feel takes that extra bit of care with local customers. Ryan advised a new set of OEM Pirelli P-Zero with a 187-mph “Y” speed rating to accommodate Francesca’s –ahem – upper performance limits. He explained that the high silica inner liner and wide longitudinal grooves help in wet driving conditions while maintaining comfort. With our rainy season upon us here in Arizona, his advice was a great reassurance. As a 25-year customer of Discou...

  Well, I thought it was about time I introduced myself. My name is Francesca, and I am Sophia’s younger sister. I arrived on the scene this summer, and like Sophia, I am a spectacular Maserati GranTurismo Sport. I have the same technical specifications, I’m super-fast and sound amazing. I do look quite different than Sophia.   Whereas Sophia had a very flashy red leather interior and shiny black exterior, I have a completely different look! My exterior is Granito Grigio and my interior is Cuio which is a totally elegant camel color.   I do think I’m quite sophisticated. Barby agrees, and several of her friends say they like me better than Sophia!   Well, this is not a “one is better than the other” situation. Although related, we are different. Think of two sisters in the same family – one with a slightly more outgoing personality, and the other a bit more refined and somewhat restrained. As a matter fact, Barby has said that she actually drives slightly slo...

I’m just back from a whirlwind trip to Amelia Island, Florida, for the 2019 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, meeting with friends and collector car industry leaders in what has become the premier concours east of the Mississippi. A weeklong schedule of parties and seminars culminated in a warm and sunny show-day event, and I couldn’t resist snapping some photographs of some of my favorite cars on the lawn of the Ritz-Carlton. Take a look and see if you agree with my choices! Don and Carol Murray brought this gorgeous 1956 Ferrari 250GT Speciale from Laguna Beach, California. One of four prototypes built, this example was first owned by a Mr. Nassi; a director for Fiat and member of the Agnelli family. Built as a “wolf in sheep’s clothing,” this demure Ferrari features a competition-style engine tuned to TDF specifications and was raced at the Nurburgring in the late 1950’s and 1960’s. Lionel and Karen Bessudo brought this 1953 Jaguar XK120 FHC all the way f...

I had the chance to meet up with Lou Costabile of My Car Story on New Year’s Eve.  We had a chat about my car, Sophia. You can find it here: 2016 Maserati GranTurismo Sport in Black & Engine Sound on My Car Story with Lou Costabile I mention the Ferrari Club of America – Desert Region and the FCA 2019 Annual Experience which will be in Scottsdale Arizona. If you have a Ferrari and haven’t already joined, you should! May you have a happy and prosperous new year.

My name is Sophia and I am a Maserati. I’m a sleek, sophisticated, and very powerful GranTurismo Sport.   I sport a naturally aspirated 4.7L 457 HP V8 engine and can go 0-60mph in 4.2 seconds. My driver's name is Barby Barone. Like me, she’s Italian.   She’s President of Biltmore Advisors, an investment firm based in Phoenix Arizona. She’s been in the investment business for over 30 years and has a passion for her profession. So now that you know who we are, Barby will tell you why we’ve decided to create this blog.   I bought my first Maserati in 2009. My Italian Beauty was my first performance vehicle.   I acquired her on an informed whim and have never looked back.   Initially my enthusiasm outstripped my driving skills and it was when I planned to run the Mohave Mile that legendary race car driver Lyn St. James arrived on scene with a pair of her driving gloves to help. My involvement with the Desert Region Ferrari Club in Arizona is a great opportu...