Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance
Florida, USA 10 March
The ThreaT of storms forced the Amelia Island Concours to change its date at the last minute for the second year in succession – and for RM Sotheby’s to bring forward its auction – yet with no ill effect on this prestigious Florida event.
For its 23rd running, rescheduled from the Sunday to the Saturday, the twin Best of Show awards for road and competition cars were won by a 1929 Duesenberg J/SJ Convertible and 1963 Ferrari 250/272P. The Duesenberg belongs to Harry Yeaggy of Cincinnati and has Murphy roadster-style coachwork that was restyled by Bohman & Schwartz. Its fascinating history includes time in the hands of Edward Beale McLean, whose family owned The Washington Post.
The Ferrari was from the JSL Motorsports Collection in Redwood City, California. Boasting NART history, it was the victor in both the 1963 Nürburgring 1000km with John Surtees and Willy Mairesse and the following year’s 12 Hours of Sebring with Mike Parkes and Umberto Maglioli.
There were more than 300 cars and bikes split into 35 classes at Amelia Island as well as the customary swell of special celebrations. One of these focused on Emerson Fittipaldi, the only two-time winner of both the F1 World Championship and the Indy 500. A number of his old steeds were on site, including a 1970 Lotus 72/5, 1974 McLaren M23/5, 1974 Porsche 911 RSR IROC and 1977 Chevy Camaro Z28 IROC.
Making its concours debut was the Shelby
Clockwise from above Winning Duesenberg and Ferrari; Ed Roth’s Beatnik Bandit; Fittipaldi and Jochen Mass; Octane’s coverstarring 911 RSR Turbo at the Gooding & Co auction. Lonestar, the shelved Cobra 427 replacement that then fell off the radar. Based on a GT40, the mid-engined coupé was built in 1968 but came to nothing.
There is no question that the most photographed class of cars was the tribute to Ed ‘Big Daddy’ Roth, including his legendary customs the Orbitron and Beatnik Bandit, while ex-IMSA racers from 1981 to 1993 were a welcome throwback to when these Grand Touring Prototypes last roared 25 years ago.
‘With every passing year, the Amelia Island Concours continues to grow,’ said Bill Warner, chairman and founder of the event. ‘It is magical to see the wide variety of vehicles that appear on the green each year. Their stories and history truly allow us to celebrate automobile industry in a number of ways.’