As every year, the Amelia Island Concours d'Elégance invited guests to the Amelia Island golf course in Florida to celebrate the 26th edition of the prestigious event. Due to the ongoing pandemic, the event had to be held in May instead of March. So on May 23, 2021, the well-known greats Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Co. but also numerous rare racing cars and cars from brands that have long since disappeared gathered to be admired and honored. The person honored this year was US racing driver Lyn St. James.
Hispano-Suiza and Shadow take the crown
The overall victory, i.e. the "Best of Show" title, went to a Hispano-Suiza H6B Cabriolet from 1926. The vehicle was fitted with a "Le Dandy" Cabriolet body from the Henri Chapron works in 1931.
The winner of the "Best of Show Concours de Sport Trophy" category was a Shadow DN4-1A, a Can-Am racing car that also won the world championship title in 1974. The bullet in black won a solid four out of five races. An engine problem led to its premature retirement in the final race, four laps before the end of all races.
The car remained unrestored in the possession of Don Nichols before it went to its new owner in 2014, who restored the car from the ground up. It was then used regularly in historic racing events from 2016. After a racing accident in 2020 during the Road America Historic Races, the vehicle was restored once again.
"The 1926 Hispano-Suiza H6B convertible and the 1974 Shadow DN4-1A represent the excellence we strive for at Amelia Island," commented Bill Warner, Chairman of the Board and founder of the Amelia Island Concours d'Elégance. "While the field of cars was reduced slightly this year to comply with social distancing rules, the quality of the cars made the decision harder than ever."
In honor of Lyn St. James
Each year, a number of cars are also collected that can be associated with an honored person. For the 26th edition, Warner and his team collected eleven of the vehicles that Lyn St. James drove during her racing career, including, for example, a 1985 Ford Mustang. Lyn's first class win at the 24 Hours of Daytona came at the wheel of such a Mustang in 1987.
A thunder with a bow tie
All Chevrolet brand vehicles that made history were celebrated under the title "Chevy Thunder". Two of the thundering V8 muscle cars graced the field.
The all-conquering Porsche 935
The "all-conquering" Porsche 935 was celebrated with a lively seminar and thirteen (!) examples of the iconic racing car. It has been 45 years since the 935 made its debut in a world recovering from the oil crisis. At that time, Porsche created the Turbo, a more powerful and luxurious version of the 911. New rules in endurance racing meant that the focus was no longer on prototypes, but on modified "silhouette" GT cars. The German manufacturer's answer to this was the 935 Group 5, which was based on the 911 Turbo.
Funny, wonderful, electrifying
The "Weird and Wonderful Vehicles" were a particularly amusing category. Another category was the "80s and 90s Supercars", led by a McLaren F1 from 1995.
The new class "It's Electric" was won by a Morris and Salom Electroboat IV from 1895. The boat is estimated to be the oldest electric vehicle still in existence.
All winners at a glance
Best of Show winners
The Ritz-Carlton, Best in Show, Concours de Sport
1974 Shadow DN4
The Ritz-Carlton, Best in Show, Concours d'Elegance
1926 Hispano-Suiza H6B Cabriolet
Corporate
Hagerty Drivers Foundation National Automotive Heritage Award
1895 Morris and Salom Electrobat IV
Hagerty Drivers Foundation/FIVA Preservation Award
1912 Hispano-Suiza Alfonso XIII LWB Torpedo Sport
The Amelia Island Award
1941 Lincoln Continental
The Andial Trophy
1977 Porsche 935
The BMW Trophy
1995 McLaren F1
The Borla Trophy
1995 Ferrari F50
The Buddy Palumbo Award
1953 Maverick Sportster
The Camille Jenatzy Award
2008 Vetter Extra Terrestrial Vehicle
The Cantore/Wit's End Trophy
1909 Baker Victoria Roadster
The Chairman's Choice Award
1948 Tasco Prototype
The Chopard Watch Award
1939 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Coupe
The Claude Nolan Cadillac Award
1930 Cadillac V-16 Sport Phaeton
The Craftsman Phil Hill Restorers Award-Production
1928 Hudson Model O Murphy Convertible Sedan restored by Lavine Restorations, Inc.
The Craftsman Phil Hill Restorers Award-Sports/Race
1951 Porsche 356 Split-Window restored by Road Scholars
The David and Lisa Helmer Award
1956 Continental Mark II
The Denise McCluggage Trophy
1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Alloy NART Spyder
The Ford Motor Company/E.T. "Bob" Gregorie Trophy
1937 Lincoln K
The General Motors/Dave Holls Award
1912 Cadillac Torpedo
The Gil Nickel/Far Niente Award
1953 Fiat 8V Supersonic
The Grand Sport Trophy
1971 McLaren M8F
The Heacock Classic Insurance Award
1926 Hispano-Suiza H6B Cabriolet
The Hispano-Suiza Award
1938 Hispano-Suiza H6B Dubonnet Xenia
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway/Tony Hulman Award
1960 Ewing Indianapolis Roadster
The International Motor Sports Association Award
1979 Porsche 935
The Judge John North Trophy
1928 Bentley 4.5 Litre
The Kemp C. Stickney Trophy
1930 Cadillac V-16 Roadster
The Mercedes-Benz Club of America Award
1929 Mercedes-Benz 680 S Barker Tourer
The Mercedes-Benz Star of Excellence Award
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Cabriolet A
The Porsche Trophy
1979 Porsche 935 K3
The Robert E. Turnquist Award
1932 Packard Convertible Victoria
The Rodolfo Junco de la Vega Award
1958 Ferrari 250GT PF Series I Cabriolet
The Sandra Alford Fashion Trophy
1915 Simplex E-1 Towncar
The Spirit of Sebring Award
1985 Ford Mustang
The Spirit Of The 1000 Miglia Award
1934 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300
The Stellantis Trophy
1966 Alfa Romeo 2600 Zagato
The Tampa Bay Automobile Museum Award
1982 Gurney Eagle 8100 Series
The Wind in Your Face Award
1967 Greeves Oulton
The YouTube Award
1989 Ferrari F40
Other special awards
The Hagerty Youth Award
1929 Hispano-Suiza H6C
2017 Ferrari SP 275 RW Competizione
1951 Porsche 356 Split-Window
The Meguiar's People's Choice Award
2009 Monopoly Speedster
The Spirit of the Concours Trophy
Corky Coker
The Class Winners
Best in Class - American Classic 1920-1930
1930 Ruxton Roadster
Amelia Award - American Classic 1920-1930
1926 Packard 243 Rollston Roadster
Amelia Award - American Classic 1920-1930
1924 Lincoln Brunn Limousine
Best in Class - American Classic 1931-1932
1931 Marmon Sixteen
Amelia Award - American Classic 1931-1932
1932 Auburn Speedster
Amelia Award - American Classic 1931-1932
1932 Packard 903 Deluxe Victoria
Best in Class - American Classic 1933-1948
1935 Auburn 851 Speedster
Amelia Award - American Classic 1933-1948
1933 Marmon 2 Door Convertible Coupe
Amelia Award - American Classic 1933-1948
1940 Packard Darrin Victoria 180
Best in Class - American Limited Production
1956 Lincoln Premier Convertible
Amelia Award - American Limited Production
1953 Packard Caribbean
Amelia Award - American Limited Production
1954 Packard Convertible
Best in Class - Cars of Lyn St. James
1985 Ford Mustang
Amelia Award - Cars of Lyn St. James
1989 Mercury Cougar
Amelia Award - Cars of Lyn St. James
1979 AMC Spirit/AMX
Best in Class - Chevy Thunder Early
1968 Chevrolet L88 Corvette
Amelia Award - Chevy Thunder Early
1958 Scarab Sports-Racer
Amelia Award - Chevy Thunder Early
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 427 Z06
Best in Class - Chevy Thunder Late
2001 Chevrolet Corvette C5R-004
Amelia Award - Chevy Thunder Late
1985 Chevrolet Camaro
Amelia Award - Chevy Thunder Late
1973 Lola T330/F5000
Best in Class - Duesenberg
1929 Duesenberg J-239 Convertible Coupe
Amelia Award - Duesenberg
1931 Duesenberg J-448
Amelia Award - Duesenberg
1930 Duesenberg J - Sweep Panel Phaeton
Best in Class - Ferrari 275 GTB
1965 Ferrari 275 GTB/C Berlinetta Speciale
Amelia Award - Ferrari 275 GTB
1968 Ferrari 275 GTB/4
Amelia Award - Ferrari 275 GTB
1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Alloy
Amelia Award - Ferrari 275 GTB
1966 Ferrari 275 GTB/C
Best in Class - Ferrari Production
1952 Ferrari 342 America Cabriolet
Amelia Award - Ferrari Production
1959 Ferrari 250 PF Cabriolet
Best in Class - Hispano-Suiza
1929 Hispano-Suiza H6C
Amelia Award - Hispano-Suiza
1928 Hispano-Suiza H6C Skiff by Kellner
Amelia Award - Hispano-Suiza
1934 Hispano-Suiza J12 Sedanca Drophead Coupe
Amelia Award - Hispano-Suiza
1912 Hispano-Suiza T-15 Alfonso XIII
Best in Class - Horseless Carriage
1911 Thomas Flyer KC-670
Amelia Award - Horseless Carriage
1904 Thomas Model 22
Best in Class - It's Electric
1905 Columbia XXXV Open Drive Brougham
Amelia Award - It's Electric
1922 Detroit Electric 90
Amelia Award - It's Electric
1901 Waverley Electric
Best in Class - Motorcycles
1927 Scott Flying Squirrel
Amelia Award - Motorcycles
1974 Harley-Davidson RR250
Amelia Award - Motorcycles
1975 Yamaha TZ350B
Best in Class - Porsche 935
1980 Porsche 935 K3/80
Amelia Award - Porsche 935
1980 Porsche 935 K3/80
Amelia Award - Porsche 935
1977 Porsche 934.5
Amelia Award - Porsche 935
1979 Porsche 935
Best in Class - Pre-War Custom Coachwork
1936 Lancia Astura
Amelia Award - Pre-War Custom Coachwork
1938 Delahaye 135M
Amelia Award - Pre-War Custom Coachwork
1934 Bentley 31⁄2 Litre Drop Head Coupe
Best in Class - Race Cars 1946-1960
1955 Lotus MK VIII
Amelia Award - Race Cars 1946-1960
1954 Porsche 550 Spyder
Amelia Award - Race Cars 1946-1960
1950 MG Special/Lester MG
Best in Class - Race Cars 1961-1989
1969 Ford Mustang
Amelia Award - Race Cars 1961-1989
1969 Porsche 911T
Amelia Award - Race Cars 1961-1989
1970 Datsun 240Z
Best in Class - Race Cars Pre-War
1913 Isotta Fraschini Tipo IM
Best in Class - Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost
1919 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost
Amelia Award - Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost
1923 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost
Amelia Award - Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost
1913 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost
Best in Class - Shadow
1974 Shadow DN4
Amelia Award - Shadow
1976 Shadow Formula One
Amelia Award - Shadow
1970 Shadow MKI
Best in Class - Sports and GT Cars 1946-1953
1947 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS
Amelia Award - Sports and GT Cars 1946-1953
1953 Siata 208S
1950 Jaguar XK 120
Best in Class - Sports and GT Cars 1954-1962
1957 Porsche 356 GT Lightweight
Amelia Award - Sports and GT Cars 1954-1962
1954 Porsche 356 Speedster
Amelia Award - Sports and GT Cars 1954-1962
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300Sc
Best in Class - Sports and GT Cars 1963-1972
1968 Ford GT40 MK3
Amelia Award - Sports and GT Cars 1963-1972
1970 Maserati Ghibli
Amelia Award - Sports and GT Cars 1963-1972
1967 Aston Martin DB6
Best in Class - Sports and GT Cars Pre-War
1934 Riley MPH Roadster
Amelia Award - Sports and GT Cars Pre-War
1929 Bentley Speed Six
Best in Class - Supercars
1985 Ferrari 288 GTO
Amelia Award - Supercars
1999 Mercedes AMG CLK GTR
Amelia Award - Supercars
1988 Porsche 959S
Amelia Award - Supercars
1981 Lamborghini Countach LP400 S
Best in Class - Weird and Wonderful
1974 Fascination Two Door Sedan
Amelia Award - Weird and Wonderful
1961 Corvair Futura/Waimea
Amelia Award - Weird and Wonderful
1948 Davis Divan
Amelia Award - Weird and Wonderful
1939 Steyr Baby 55
