I suspect the number of Ferraris there probably matched or even exceeded the number of Maseratis, and again it was mainly the modern Tipos

There is nothing like a good drive in a V12 Ferrari to blow the cobwebs away on an autumnal Sunday. Well I think so – and apparently the organisers of the Goodwood Breakfast Club agree with me, as today's event was themed around Maserati and the other Italian Icons.

As you would expect there were a large number of Maseratis in attendance – mainly the modern cars of the past 10 to 15 years – but there was also a number of Khamsins, Ghiblis and at least one Bora. Maserati itself brought along the new GranCabrio convertible version of the Gran Turismo.

I suspect the number of Ferraris there probably matched or even exceeded the number of Maseratis, and again it was mainly the modern Tipos. In among the carbon-braked rockets there were three Daytonas and two Lussos, and a 275GTB4 made a brief appearance. Lamborghinis, however, were few and far between, although there was a brand new Murciélago SV competing for flamboyance with a Pagani Zonda.

Despite the large number of Maseratis and Ferraris at the event, my two favourite cars were a track-prepared Alfa Guilia and a lovely Gold Iso Grifo Series 2. While I usually prefer the open headlights of the Series 1 Grifo, this one had been subject to a total restoration. Lovely!