The coronavirus has the world firmly in its grip. March 2020 was perhaps the last time for some time that major events were still possible. In any case, the Amelia Island Concours d'Elégance in Florida was still allowed to take place.
Foreigners and locals
As in previous years, the traditional Concours d'Elegance in sun-drenched Florida took place on the Amelia Island golf course. The beauty contest celebrated its 25th anniversary from March 5 to 8, 2020. In addition to well-known brands such as Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and BMW, American brands also put themselves forward for the coveted awards. These included such rare names as Kissel and American Bantam.
The little ones big time
Even the small cars, which were literally not on a par with the other participants in terms of size, competed for trophies and awards at the Concours d'Elegance. To ensure fairness, they were given their very own class, which was aptly named "That's cute". Among the winners were an American Bantam Roadster from 1938, a BMW Isetta 300 from 1957 and a Fiat-Abarth 750 GT MM from 1956 (1st place in its class).
The first model mentioned has an interesting story behind it: American Bantam was created through the purchase of the defunct company American Austin. Despite numerous improvements, Roy Evans - the name of the buyer - was unable to keep its head above water. Nevertheless, the brand was able to record one real success: The car of the ever-popular cartoon duck Donald Duck was inspired by an American Bantam.
The BMW Isetta didn't make it onto comic pages, but it did make it onto YouTube. In 2019, a cinematic BMW short film starring an Isetta as an escape helper at the GDR border was released on YouTube.
Futuristic - at least back then
A free history lesson was part of the overall offer at Amelia Island. This allowed visitors to experience the first steps of the automotive age at first hand. The winners of the "Horseless Carriage Award" were: Grout K Prototype (1st place in its class), Pierce-Arrow 38C Sedan and Simplex D 50 HP from 1902, 1915 and 1914.
The Grout brand was founded in 1899, but had to close its doors again in 1913. This was partly due to several deaths in the company management. Pierce Arrow also went under, but was able to set a record in motor racing: A V12 Pierce achieved a record average speed of 203.2 km/h over 24 hours in 1934. Simplex has already won an award in Amelia Island in 2017.
Harley Earl and the fatty
Does the name Harley Earl mean anything to you? No, it doesn't refer to motorcycles or a black tea blend. Harley Earl was a coachbuilder from Hollywood who founded the Earl Automobile Works in 1908, where he soon began producing special bodies and conversion parts for cars. His customers included Hollywood celebrities of the time such as Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle and Tom Mix. The "Cars of Harley Earl" class paid tribute to the coachbuilder and his life's work.
The winners were: Cadillac Series 62 Club Coupe (1949, 1st place in its class), Buick Century Convertible (1956), Cadillac Eldorado Convertible (1953) and a Chevrolet Corvette SR-2 (1956). All were influenced by Harley Earl and manifested his life's work.
Twins honored
In the "American Limited Production" class, a somewhat unusual picture emerged: two identical cars built in the same year were honored. These were two Continental Mark IIs from 1956 with two happy owners.
Who is the most beautiful?
At the end of the Councours, things got exciting once again. In this final part, the two vehicles nominated for "Best of Show" were driven forward. These were a Duesenberg J-218 Town Limousine (1929) in the "Best of Concours d'Elegance" category. Hollywood stars, kings, gangster bosses, the range of customers was huge, which ensured the existence of the Duesenberg company over a long period of time, it existed from 1913 to 1937.
The elegant Duesenberg body was designed by Walter M. Murphy. He was known for his very famous and demanding clientele. These included Hollywood legends such as Clark Gable, Rudolph Valentino and Howard Hughes.
The Porsche 917/30 Can-Am Spyder from 1973 was voted "Best" in the "Best of Concours de Sport" category. From 1972 to 1974, the 917 was always at the forefront of the Can-Am racing series. Roger Penske, who also took part in this concours, played a key role in the development of the predecessor model, the Porsche 917/10.
All cars with prizes at a glance
In the following list you will find the complete list of winners of the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance 2020.
Top
The Ritz-Carlton, Best in Show, Concours de Sport
1973 Porsche 917/30 Can-Am Spyder Rob Kauffman - Charlotte, NC
The Ritz-Carlton, Best in Show, Concours d'Elegance
1929 Duesenberg J-218 Town Limousine Lehrman Collection - Palm Beach, FL
Corporate
The Amelia Island Award
Duesenberg J-218 Town Limousine
Lehrman Collection - Palm Beach, FL
The Andial Trophy
1973 Porsche 917/30 Can-Am Spyder
Rob Kauffman - Charlotte, NC
The BMW Trophy
1934 BMW 315/1 Sport
Dirk and Alexandra de Groen - Coral Gables, FL
The Borla Trophy
1955 Ferrari 410 S
Cavallino Investments - Cortland, OH
The Buddy Palumbo Award
1960 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham
Don and Donna McCullen - Ocala, FL
The Camille Jenatzy Award
1938 Graham 97 by Saoutchik
OFF Brothers Car Collection - Bill Johnston and Ron Elenbaas - Richland, MI
The Cantore/Wit's End Trophy
1914 Packard Touring
Robert McKeown - Perryopolis, PA
The Chairman's Choice Award
1934 Franklin V12 Series 17
Karen and Rich Atwell - Fredericksburg, TX
The Chopard Watch Award
1937 Horch 853A Sport Cabriolet
Aaron and Valerie Weiss- San Marino, CA
The Claude Nolan Cadillac Award
1932 Cadillac V16 Madame X
Chris MacAllister - Indianapolis, IN
The Craftsman Phil Hill Restorers Award-Production
1908 Packard Model 30 Restored by Janousec Classic Resorations
Bill and Barbara Parfet - Hickory Corners, MI
The Craftsman Phil Hill Restorers Award-Sports/Race
1963 Shelby 289 Cobra CSX 2125 Restored by Vintage Motorcar Co.
Lewis Pollard - Warrenton, VA
The David E. Davis Jr. Trophy
1953 Buick Skylark Convertible
Angie and Jeff Brashares - Marysville, OH
The Denise McCluggage Trophy
1956 Ferrari 500 TR Spyder
Les Wexner - New Albany, OH
The Ford Motor Company/E.T. "Bob" Gregorie Trophy
1969 De Tomaso Mangusta
Dennis Carlson - Bloomfield Hills, MI
The General Motors/Dave Holls Award
1936 Cadillac V16 Aerodynamic Coupe Series 90
John D. Groendyke - Enid, OK
The Gil Nickel/Far Niente Award
1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder
Peter Kalikow - New York,NY
The Grand Sport Trophy
1966 Chevrolet Corvette L88
Scott E. Freese - Omaha, NE
The Heacock Classic Insurance Award
1937 Delahaye 135
Mark Hyman - St. Louis, MO
The HVA National Automotive Heritage Award
1951 General Motors LeSabre
General Motors Heritage Collection - Detroit, MI
The HVA/FIVA Award
1932 Alfa Romeo P3 Tipo B
Jennifer Taylor - Berkshire, United Kingdom
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway/Tony Hulman Award
1970 Lola T153 Sunoco Special
Craig McCaw - Montecito, CA
The International Motor Sports Association Award
1983 Mazda RX-7 GTU
Kelly Marsh - Columbus, OH
The Judge John North Trophy
1954 Chevrolet Corvair
Ken Lingenfelter - The Lingenfelter Collection - Brighton, MI
The Kemp C. Stickney Trophy
1934 Duesenberg SJ-517 Torpedo Convertible Victoria
Bob, Sandy and Gary Bahre - Paris, ME
The Mercedes-Benz Club of America Award
1958 Mercedes-Benz 300d
Guy and Loyda Lewis - Pinecrest, FL
The Mercedes-Benz Star of Excellence Award
1927 Mercedes-Benz Model K
Michael and Joannie Rich - Orwigsburg, PA
The Porsche Trophy
1952 Porsche Type 540 America Roadster
The Ingram Collection - Durham, NC
The Robert E. Turnquist Award
1930 Packard 745 Roadster
Brent Merrill - Toronto, ON, Canada
The Sandra Alford Fashion Trophy
1939 Bentley 4-1⁄4 Litre DHC Overdrive
Dr. and Mrs. Mark A. Sinning - New Bern, NC
The Scaglietti Award
1957 Ferrari 335 Sport
Scuderia N.E. - Stamford, CT
The Spirit of Sebring Award
1968 Chevrolet Penske Camaro
Irwin Kroiz - Ambler, PA
The Spirit Of The 1000 Miglia Award
1932 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Monza
Fastwelve, LLC - Redmond, WA
The Tampa Bay Automobile Museum Award
1937 Cord SC Custom Berline
Dr. Joel and Dianne Halpern - Dover, DE
The Wind in Your Face Award
1929 Majestic Motorcycle
The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum - Birmingham, AL
The YouTube Award
1984 Porsche 953 911
Porsche Museum - Stuttgart, Germany
Other
The Hagerty Youth Award
1956 DeSoto Fireflite Pacesetter
American Muscle Car Museum - Melbourne, FL
1975 Lancia Stratos Group 4
John and Suzanne Campion - Jacksonville, FL
1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS Lightweight
Reid and Liz Vann- St. Louis, MO
The Meguiar's People's Choice Award
1959 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud I 7410 Convertible
Stephen D. Haymes - Palm Beach, FL
The Spirit of the Concours Trophy
Miles Collier - Class
Best in Class - American Classic 1915-1931
1931 Cadillac 452A Convertible
Charlie and Cheryl Eggert - Morristown, NJ
Amelia Award - American Classic 1915-1931
1929 Packard 645 Roadster
Paul V. and Lynn S. Kilker- York, PA
Amelia Award - American Classic 1915-1931
1925 Kissel 6-55 Goldbug Speedster
Jeffrey and Karen Ozan - Metamora, MI
Best in Class - American Classic 1932-1934
1932 Cadillac V16 Roadster
Joseph and Holly Crea - Novelty, OH
Amelia Award - American Classic 1932-1934
1933 Stutz DV-32 Monte Carlo
Nicola Bulgari - Allentown, PA
Amelia Award - American Classic1932-1934
1932 Chrysler CH Imperial 5 Passenger Convertible
William and Tina Sipko - Windber,PA
Best in Class - American Classic 1935-1948
1936 Auburn 852 S/C Boattail Speedster
Larry Titchner - Toronto, ON, Canada
Amelia Award - American Classic 1935-1948
1936 Packard 1407 Twelve LeBaron All-Weather Convertible
Laura and Jack Boyd Smith, Jr. - Elkhart, IN
Best in Class - American Limited Production
1956 Continental Mark II
Gene and Marlene Epstein - Wrightstown, PA
Amelia Award - American Limited Production
1956 Continental Mark IIRick and Elaine Schmidt - Ocala, FL
Best in Class - Cars of Harley Earl
1949 Cadillac Series 62 Club Coupe
Loren and Jody Hulber - Macungie, PA
Amelia Award - Cars of Harley Earl
1956 Buick Century Convertible
Steven Plunkett - London, ON, Canada
Amelia Award - Cars of Harley Earl
1953 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible
Brady L. Como - Broussard, LA
Amelia Award - Cars of Harley Earl
1956 Chevrolet Corvette SR-2
Irwin Kroiz - Ambler, PA
Best in Class - Cars of Roger Penske
1961 Porsche RS61 Spyder
John and Heather Mozart - Palo Alto, CA
Amelia Award - Cars of Roger Penske
1956 Porsche 550A Spyder
Miles Collier Collections at Revs Institute - Naples, FL
Amelia Award - Cars of Roger Penske
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport
Miles Collier Collections at Revs Institute - Naples, FL
Best in Class - Duesenberg
1929 Duesenberg J-414 Disappearing Top Torpedo Convertible Coupe
Chuck Ungurean - Delaware, OH
Amelia Award - Duesenberg
1929 Duesenberg J-118
Gregory V. Ornazian- Troy, MI
Amelia Award - Duesenberg
1923 Duesenberg Model A
Joe and Cynny Freeman - Boston, MA
Best in Class - European Coachwork American Cars Post-War
1956 Chrysler 300B Boano Coupe Special
Kim and Stephen Bruno - Boca Raton, FL
Amelia Award - European Coachwork American Cars Post-War
1956 Nash Rambler Palm Beach
Scott D. Morris - Vero Beach,FL
Amelia Award - European Coachwork American Cars Post-War
1953 Cadillac Special Convertible
Dick and Bob Birdsall Collection - Lake Worth, FL
Best in Class - European Coachwork American Cars Pre-War
1937 Graham Convertible
Larry Smith - Bloomfield Hills, MI
Amelia Award - European Coachwork American Cars Pre-War
1938 Packard Sedanca DeVille
Claude and Audrey Ohanesian - Lake Forest, IL
Best in Class - European Custom Coachwork
1932 Bugatti Type 49 Labourdette Roadster
Sam and Emily Mann - Englewood, NJ
Amelia Award - European Custom Coachwork
1947 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 S
Frank and Christine Salemi - Fallston, MD
Best in Class - Horseless Carriage
1902 Grout K Prototype
Bill and Barbara Parfet - Hickory Corners, MI
Amelia Award - Horseless Carriage
1915 Pierce-Arrow 38C Limousine
Brian and Trish White - Apex, NC
Amelia Award - Horseless Carriage
1914 Simplex D 50 HP
David and Candy Staadt - New Haven, IN
Best in Class - Lozier
1908 Lozier 7 Passenger Touring
Jim Grundy - Doylestown, PA
Amelia Award - Lozier
1914 Lozier Model 84 Roadster
Lozier Collection - Redmond, WA
Amelia Award - Lozier
1908 Lozier H
Jeff and Angie Chattin - Canton, GA
Best in Class - Mercedes-Benz
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster
Gary Scholl - Toronto, ON, Canada
Amelia Award - Mercedes-Benz
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL
Lewis and Rebecca Kling - Castle Rock, CO
Best in Class - Motorcycles
1958 Ducati 125 GP Barcone34,
The Dillard Collection - Richmond, VA
Amelia Award - Motorcycles
1956 Ariel Square Four Mk II
The Schigiel Collection - Miami Beach, FL
Amelia Award - Motorcycles
1927 Indian Scout Racer
Doc Batsleer - New Smyrna Beach, FL
Best in Class - Porsche Firsts
1970 Porsche 917K
Fica Frio Collection - London, United Kingdom
Amelia Award - Porsche Firsts
1962 Porsche 804
Ranson Webster - Reno, NV
Amelia Award - Porsche Firsts
1956 Porsche 550A Prototype
The JSL Motorsports Collection - Redwood City, CA
Best in Class - Race Cars 1946-1962
1950 Ferrari 166 MM Berlinetta Touring
Jack and Kingsley Croul - Corona del Mar, CA
Amelia Award - Race Cars 1946-1962
1952 OSCA MT4 LM
Phil White - Portola Valley,CA
Amelia Award - Race Cars 1946-1962
1953 Jaguar C-Type
Jim Taylor - Gloversville, NY
Best in Class - Race Cars 1963-1967
1967 Vollstedt-FordIndy Car
Michael and Lisa McKinney and Marc Prentice - Pasco, WA
Amelia Award - Race Cars 1963-1967
1967 Porsche 911R
Miles Collier Collections at Revs Institute - Naples, FL
Amelia Award - Race Cars 1963-1967
1966 Ford GT40 Mk II
Scuderia Bella Rossa - Bedford Hills, NY
Best in Class - Race Cars 1968-1989
1977 Porsche 934.5
Lloyd Hawkins - Metairie, LA
Amelia Award - Race Cars 1968-1989
1969 Gurney Eagle MK5
Steve and Susan Babinsky - Lebanon, NJ
Best in Class - Race Cars Pre-War
1931 Bugatti Type 51
Richard Collier - Hobe Sound, FL
Amelia Award - Race Cars Pre-War
1931 Alfa Romeo Monza
D.L. George Collection - Cochranville, PA
Amelia Award - Race Cars Pre-War
1932 Alta 1100 Sports
Vintage Racing Stable - Sanbornton, NH
Best in Class - Rolling Bones
1932 Ford Roadster
Jacqueline Suckling - Mayfield, Sussex, United Kingdom
Amelia Award - Rolling Bones
1931 Ford Model A Coupe
William Medcalf - West Sussex, United Kingdom
Amelia Award - Rolling Bones
1932 Ford Coupe
Tom McIntyre - Burbank, CA
Best in Class - Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost
1914 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost
Steven and Susan Littin - Chardon, OH
Amelia Award - Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost
1914 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost
Sierra Collection - Odessa, FL
Amelia Award - Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost
1920 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Torpedo Open Tourer
The White Collection - Winter Garden, FL
Best in Class - Rolls-Royce/Bentley Post-War
1953 Bentley R-Type Continental Sports Saloon
Donald Bernstein and Patricia Taylor - Clarks Summit, PA
Amelia Award - Rolls-Royce/Bentley Post-War
1954 Bentley Continental
Stephen Brauer - St. Louis, MO
Best in Class - Rolls-Royce/Bentley Pre-War
1930 Bentley Speed Six Sportsman Saloon
Bill and Barbara Parfet - Hickory Corners, MI
Amelia Award - Rolls-Royce/Bentley Pre-War
1936 Bentley 4-1⁄4
The Heinecke Family - Bangkok, Thailand
Best in Class - Scaglietti Production
1957 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder Prototipo
Robert Bishop - Palm Beach, FL
Amelia Award - Scaglietti Production
1958 Ferrari 250 GT Tour de France Berlinetta
JW Motor Sports Collection - Lenexa, KS
Amelia Award - Scaglietti Production
1973 Ferrari 365 GTS/4
Fort Family Investments - Jacksonville, FL
Amelia Award - Scaglietti Production
1959 Chevrolet Corvette
J.W. Marriott, Jr. - Bethesda, MD
Best in Class - Scaglietti Race
1955 Ferrari 750 Monza Spyder
Patrick and Carolyn Ottis - Berkeley, CA
Amelia Award - Scaglietti Race
1958 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa
Harry Yeaggy - Cincinnati, OH
Amelia Award - Scaglietti Race
1955 Ferrari 500 Mondial
Thomas Peck - Laguna Beach, CA
Best in Class - Sports and GT Cars 1948-1953
1953 Abarth 1100 SS
Bradley Calkins - Englewood, CO
Amelia Award - Sports and GT Cars 1948-1953
1952 Porsche 356 America Roadster
Chip and Monica Perry - Blowing Rock, NC
Amelia Award - Sports and GT Cars 1948-1953
1951 Ferrari 212 Inter Vignale
Don and Carol Murray - Laguna Beach, CA
Best in Class - Sports and GT Cars 1954-1957
1954 Jaguar XK 120 FHC
Richard Crump and Kathi Gox - Enid, OK
Amelia Award - Sports and GT Cars1954-1957
1957 AC Ace-Bristol
Nancy and John Baldwin - Covington, LA
Amelia Award - Sports and GT Cars1954-1957
1954 Kaiser Darrin Convertible
The Marano Collection - Garwood, NJ
Best in Class - Sports and GT Cars 1958-1964
1959 Ferrari 410 Superamerica
The Cogan Collection - Louisville, KY
Amelia Award - Sports and GT Cars1958-1964
1964 Alfa Romeo TZ
Eichenbaum Family Collection - St. Petersburg, FL
Amelia Award - Sports and GT Cars1958-1964
1963 Porsche Carrera 2 Cabriolet
Steven Harris - New York,NY
Best in Class - Sports and GT Cars 1965-1978
1967 Bizzarrini Strada
Billy E. Hibbs - Tyler, TX
Amelia Award - Sports and GT Cars 1965-1978
1968 Maserati Ghibli Coupe
Ed Kelley - San Antonio, TX
Amelia Award - Sports and GT Cars1965-1978
1966 Shelby 427 Cobra CSX 3157
W. Kevin Collins - Louisville, KY
Best in Class - Sports Cars Pre-War
1935 Godsal Sports Tourer
Robert C. Morris - Great Falls, VA
Amelia Award - Sports Cars Pre-War
1932 MG J2 Midget
Peter and Kerrie McCormick - Pittsburgh, PA
Amelia Award - Sports Cars Pre-War
1938 Lea-Francis 12 HP Sports Roadster
Gary and Mary Ruth Staadt - Rockville, IN
Best in Class - Team Penske
1971 American Motors Penske
Javelin Bill and Kim Ockerlund - Holland, MI
Amelia Award - Team Penske
1972 Porsche 917/10
Mouse Motors, LLC - Chicago, IL
Amelia Award - Team Penske
2007 Porsche RS Spyder
David MacNeil - Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Best in Class - Team Penske Sunoco
1969 Chevrolet Penske Camaro
Bill and Kim Ockerlund - Holland, MI
Amelia Award - Team Penske Sunoco
1968 Chevrolet Camaro
Tom McIntyre - Burbank, CA
Amelia Award - Team Penske Sunoco
1966 Chevrolet Corvette
Kevin J. Mackay - Valley Stream,NY
Amelia Award - Team Penske Sunoco
1967 Chevrolet Sunoco Camaro #1
Patrick S. Ryan - Asheville, NC
Best in Class - That's Cute
1956 Fiat-Abarth 750 GT MM
John and Joy Kristoff - North Canton, OH
Amelia Award - That's Cute
1938 American Bantam Roadster
Mary Miles - Dunnellon, FL
Amelia Award - That's Cute
1957 BMW Isetta 300
Bob Bailey / Racemark Collection - Sarasota, FL
