The 24th edition of the famous Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance took place from March 7-10, 2019 in a place where normally only a few golfers gather.
Once again, the organizers proved to have a good hand with the weather, as the sky was bright blue. This meant that the vehicles were able to show off their best side to the visitors.
As usual, the cars were divided into different classes and lined up together. At the end, there was one class winner from each class, who was awarded a prize. These are listed in detail at the end of the article.
The cars of the Rock-Stars
The "Cars of the Rock stars" class presented cars and guitars from John Oates' personal collection and added vehicles directly from or associated with famous rock stars.
Want some examples? The Porsche 356C (1964) driven by Janis Joplin, the Chevrolet Stingray Racer (1967) driven by Elvis Presley in the movie "Clam Bake", or the Bentley Vanden Plas (1928) driven by Brian Johnson of AC/DC.
There was even a chance of meeting John Oates in person, as he was also present at the Concours.
State limousines
The vehicles exhibited in the state limousine class were driven by heads of state and kings from all over the world, even papal cars and dictators' vehicles were on display. President Eisenhower's presidential Cadillac limousine could be found here, as well as a 1938 Cadillac V16 limousine from the papal fleet.
Individually bodied Volkswagens
2019 marks the seventieth anniversary of the first import of the Volkswagen to the United States. The organizers paid tribute to this with a class of hand-bodied Volkswagens. This included one-offs and special bodies that are rarely seen in Europe.
The noble cars from Mercedes
Special Mercedes Benz also had their place at the Concours. Introduced at the Berlin Auto Show in 1934 and successor to the legendary SSK, the Mercedes Benz 500K was the superstar. A supercar and the beginning of what was to become known as the "Grand Touring Cars".
From 1934-39, the 500K-540K were the ultimate "super cars", long before the term as such was even in common use. These monsters were powered by a 5.4 liter in-line eight-cylinder engine that delivered 180 hp.
Special mid-engined sports cars
The mid-engined Corvette prototype (XP-987 GT) was shown as part of the "Mid-Enginge" class. It was one of only two examples built, which were supposed to make the masses hungry for more rotary piston engines in the mid-seventies.
Unfortunately, it turned out to be all too thirsty and harmful to the environment compared to conventional engines of the time. The oil crisis and stricter regulations finally sealed the fate of Chevrolet's ambitions and almost that of the prototype. Only by luck did it escape scrapping, fortunately for the scene.
Also part of the class were sports cars from DeTomaso, Ferrari and Lamborghini.
60 years of the Ferrari 250 SWB
The 60th anniversary of the Ferrari 250 GT "Short Wheelbase Berlinetta", or SWB for short, was also honored with its own class. The Ferrari already had a heater and an astonishing amount of storage space. When it was exhibited for the first time in Paris in 1959, it was particularly noticeable that it was 150 pounds (approx. 68 kg) lighter and 20 cm shorter than its predecessor.
The model was a success in racing. International victories were celebrated, especially in 1960.
Best of Show again for two vehicles
There were two winners of the "Best of Show" award again this year. As in previous years in the Sport and Elegance categories. The winner in the sport category was a red Ferrari 335 S from 1957, while the winner in the elegance category was a black Mercedes Benz 540K Autobahn-Kurier from 1938
Background information
The first Amelia Island Concours was held relatively late, in 1996. Since then, the event has been held every year and attracts large numbers of people. The special thing about the event is that the profits go to charity. In 2018 alone, the organizers donated USD 140,000 to Spina Bifida in Jacksonville and USD 100,000 to Community Hospice & Palliative Care of Jacksonville and numerous other foundations.
Since 1996, over $3.45 million has been donated to charitable organizations.
Last year's Amelia Island event featured over 300 vehicles divided into 35 classes. In the 2018 "Best of Show" category, the Duesenberg J/SJ Convertible (1929) won in the Elegance category and the Ferrari 250/275P in the Sport category.
The award winners - class winners
Best In Class - American Classic 1917-1929
1929 Pierce-Arrow Model 133
Ross and Beth Myers - Boyertown, PA
Best In Class - American Classic 1930
1930 Cadillac 452 V16 Roadster
Bill and Barbara Parfet - Hickory Corners, MI
Best In Class - American Classic 1931-1932
1932 Packard 904 Individual Custom Eight Convertible Victoria
John D. Groendyke - Enid, OK
Best In Class - American Classic 1933-1937
1936 Cadillac 90 V16 Convertible Sedan
Bill and Barbara Parfet - Hickory Corners, MI
Best In Class - American Classic 1938-1948
1938 Packard 1604
The Marano Collection - Garwood, NJ
Best In Class - American Limited Production
1948 Tucker 1044
Howard and Rosalind Kroplick - East Hills, NY
Best In Class - Cars of Ickx
1966 Ford GT40 #1049
Miles Collier Collections at The Revs Institute - Naples, FL
Best In Class - Cars of the Rock Stars
1960 Porsche 356 Emory Special Cabriolet
John Oates Collection - Nashville, TN
Best In Class - Custom Coachwork Volkswagen
1954 Volkswagen Rometsch Beeskow Coupe
F. Scott Bosés and Celesta Pappas-Bosés - La Canada, CA
Best In Class - Duesenberg
1931 Duesenberg J-131
The DeNean Stafford Family - Tifton, GA
Best In Class - European Custom Coachwork
1932 Maybach Zeppelin DS 8
Helen and Jack Nethercutt - The Nethercutt Collection - Sylmar, CA
Best In Class - European Custom Coachwork French
1949 Delahaye Malmaison Cabriolet
Meg McCarthy - Chatham, MA
Best In Class - Ferrari
1951 Ferrari 212 Export
Peter Kalikow - New York, NY
Best In Class - Ferrari 250 SWB
1960 Ferrari 250GT SWB Berlinetta
David F. MacNeil - Hinsdale, IL
Best In Class - Heads of State
1941 Cadillac Custom Limousine "The Duchess"
Steven Plunkett - London, ON, Canada
Best In Class - Horseless Carriage 30+ Horsepower
1910 Thomas Flyer 6-70 Flyabout
Jim Grundy - Doylestown, PA
Best In Class - Horseless Carriage High Wheelers
1907 Success B
Real Steel Collection - New Milford, CT
Best In Class - Indy Innovation
1934 Duesenberg Cummins Diesel
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum - Indianapolis, IN
Best In Class - Jaguar XK 120
1949 Jaguar XK 120 Alloy Body
Mike and Deb Korneli - West Bend, WI
Best In Class - Mercedes-Benz Post War
1953 Mercedes-Benz 300 S Coupe
Guy Lewis - Pinecrest, FL
Best In Class - Mercedes-Benz 500K-540K
1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K Speziale Roadster
Rare Wheels Collection - Windermere, FL
Best In Class - Mid-Engine
1969 DeTomaso Mangusta
Phil Gumpert - Noblesville, IN
Best In Class - Motorcycles - Queens of the Highway
1932 Henderson KJ
John Landstrom - Norcross, GA
Best In Class - Porsche 962
1985 Porsche 962-002
Bruce Canepa - Scotts Valley, CA
Best In Class - Pre-War European
1930 Bentley Speed Six H.J Mulliner Sportsman Coupe
John and Gwen McCaw -
Best In Class - Race Cars 1946-1957
1954 OSCA MT4 1500 Spider
Michael and Katharina Leventhal - Beverly Hills, CA
Best In Class - Race Cars 1958-1966
1959 Ferrari 250GT LWB
Larry Bowman - Woodside, CA
Best In Class - Race Cars 1967-1983
1972 Porsche 911 ST
Philip Bagley - North Palm Beach, FL
Best In Class - Race Cars Pre-War
1937 BMW 328
The Cultivated Collector - New Canaan, CT
Best In Class - Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost
1912 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost
Stephen Brauer - St. Louis, MO
Best In Class - Rolls-Royce/Bentley Post-War
1957 Bentley S1 Continental DHC
Priscilla Brewster and Susan Brewster McCarthy - St. Paul, MN
Best In Class - Sports and GT Cars 1951-1954
1953 Aston Martin DB2 DHC
James F. Causey - Philo, IL
Best In Class - Sports and GT Cars 1955-1959
1955 Fiat 8V Vignale
Mr. Jan De Reu - Belgium
Best In Class - Sports and GT Cars 1960-1965
1965 Shelby GT350
Paul and Lauren Fix - Williamsville, NY
Best In Class - Sports and GT Cars 1966-1975
1966 Lamborghini 400 GT 2+2
Bill Bloomer - Tacoma, WA
Best In Class - Sports Cars Pre-War
1933 MG J2
Tom Metcalf - Ashland, OH
The winners - Awards
Amelia Award - American Classic 1917-1929
1921 Kissel 6-45 "Gold Bug" Speedster
Andrew and Tanya Heller - Fort Lauderdale, FL
Amelia Award - American Classic 1930
1930 Cadillac V16 Convertible Coupe 4235
Gallery 260 Limited - Toronto, ON, Canada
Amelia Award - American Classic 1931-1932
1931 Auburn 8-98A Speedster
John and Becky Allen - Naples, FL
Amelia Award - American Classic 1931-1932
1931 Cadillac 452A All-Weather Phaeton
McKeel and Soon Hagerty - Traverse City, MI
Amelia Award - American Classic 1933-1937
1933 Cadillac 452C
Aaron and Valerie Weiss - San Marino, CA
Amelia Award - American Classic 1933-1937
1934 Pierce-Arrow 840A Convertible Coupe
Richard and Karen Atwell - Fredericksburg, TX
Amelia Award - American Classic 1938-1948
1939 Packard 1703 Super Eight Convertible Victoria
Leon Flagg and Curtis Lamon - Whitefish Bay, WI
Amelia Award - American Limited Production
1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz
Powell Family: Eli, Judy,Tom and Barbara - Anchorage, AK
Amelia Award - American Limited Production
1948 Chevrolet Fleetline Aero Sedan
Dave and Lisa Helmer - Amelia Island, FL
Amelia Award - Cars of Ickx
1971 Ferrari 312PB
Private Collection - Detroit, MI
Amelia Award - Cars of Ickx
1975 Alfa Romeo T33/TT/12
Simeone Automotive Foundation - Philadelphia, PA
Amelia Award - Cars of the Rock Stars
1964 Porsche 356C
OFF Brothers Collection - Richland, MI
Amelia Award - Cars of the Rock Stars
1928 Bentley Vanden Plas
Brian and Brenda Johnson - Sarasota, FL
Amelia Award - Custom Coachwork Volkswagen
1950 Volkswagen Hebmueller
Gene Langan - Glastonbury, CT
Amelia Award - Custom Coachwork Volkswagen
1957 Volkswagen Rometsch Lawrence Convertible
Gallaher Restoration - Landrum, SC
Amelia Award - European Custom Coachwork
1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Sports Tourer
Robert Kauffman - Charlotte, NC
Amelia Award - European Custom Coachwork
1931 Rolls-Royce 20-25
OFF Brothers Collection - Richland, MI
Amelia Award - European Custom Coachwork French
1936 Bugatti Type 57 Atalante Coupe
Alan Rosenblum - Utica, NY
Amelia Award - European Custom Coachwork French
1947 Delahaye 175 S Cabriolet Dandy
Linda and Paul Gould - Pawling, NY
Amelia Award -
1962 Ferrari 250GT SWB California Spyder
Oscar Davis - Elizabeth, NJ
Amelia Award - Ferrari
1955 Ferrari 250 Europa GT
Capricorn Collection - Dulles, VA
Amelia Award - Ferrari 250 SWB
1959 Ferrari 250GT SWB Bertone
William Heinecke - Bangkok, Thailand
Amelia Award - Ferrari 250 SWB
1963 Ferrari 250GT SWB Berlinetta
Scuderia Bella Rossa - Bedford Hills, NY
Amelia Award - Heads of State
1938 Cadillac V16 Limousine Town Car
Nicola Bulgari - Rome, Italy
Amelia Award - Horseless Carriage 30+ Horsepower
1912 FIAT 55 Roadster
George and Manny Dragone - Orange, CT
Amelia Award - Horseless Carriage 30+ Horsepower
1911 Stanley 72
Molly and Norm Shanklin - Wilton, NH
Amelia Award - Horseless Carriage High Wheelers
1909 IHC Auto Wagon
Jeff and Angie Chattin - Canton, GA
Amelia Award - Indy Innovation
1963 Watson Indy Roadster
Bob and Diane McConnell - Urbana, OH
Amelia Award - Indy Innovation
1968 Lotus 56 Bruce Linsmeyer Collection - Orlando, FL
Amelia Award - Jaguar XK 120
1953 Jaguar XK 120 DHC
Rick Grant - Dayton, OH
Amelia Award - Jaguar X K 120
1954 Jaguar XK 120
Mitch and Kim McCullough - Pompton Plains, NJ
Amelia Award - Mercedes-Benz Post War
1961 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL
The Schigiel Collection - Miami Beach, FL
Amelia Award - Mercedes-Benz Post War
1955 Mercedes-Benz 220 Cabriolet A
Bill Charlton - New York, NY
Amelia Award - Mercedes-Benz 500K-540K
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Cabriolet A
OFF Brothers Collection - Richland, MI
Amelia Award - Mercedes-Benz 500K-540K
1934 Mercedes-Benz 500K
Mark J. Smith - Melvin Village, NH
Amelia Award - Mid-Engine
1974 Ferrari 365 GT4 BB
Glenn Simon Collection - Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Amelia Award - Motorcycles - Queens of the Highway
1938 Brough Superior SS-100
Jack Wells - Lake City, FL
Amelia Award - Motorcycles - Queens of the Highway
1950 Vincent Black Shadow
Venable Family - Naples, FL
Amelia Award - Porsche 962
1994 Porsche Dauer 962-LM-GT-003
Sprecher Collection - Atlanta, GA
Amelia Award - Porsche 962
1986 Porsche 962-HR3
Joe Robillard - Short Hills, NJ
Amelia Award - Pre-War European
1934 Lancia Belna
Donald Bernstein - Clarks Summit, PA
Amelia Award - Pre-War European
1938 Peugeot Darl'mat Roadster
Mark Hyman - St. Louis, MO
Amelia Award - Race Cars 1946-1957
1948 Gordini Simca F2
Ray Morgan - Jasper, GA
Amelia Award - Race Cars 1946-1957
1952 Nash Healey Le Mans Race Car
José Fernandez - Bridgeport, CT
Amelia Award - Race Cars 1958-1966
1966 Chevrolet Corvette 427
American Muscle Car Museum - Melbourne, FL
Amelia Award - Race Cars 1967-1983
1973 Lola T330/F5000
Duke and Melanie Steinemann - Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
Amelia Award - Race Cars 1967-1983
1967 Porsche 910
Joe Buzzetta - St. James, NY
Amelia Award - Race Cars Pre-War
1929 Bentley Speed Six H. J. Mulliner Saloon
Bruce R. McCaw - Bellevue, WA
Amelia Award - Race Cars Pre-War
1925 Lorraine-Dietrich B3-6
Vintage Racing Stable - Sanbornton, NH
Amelia Award - Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost
1910 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost
The Suskin Collection - Atlanta, GA
Amelia Award - Rolls-Royce/Bentley Post-War
1952 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith 7 Passenger Limousine by Mulliner
John Kennard - Southern Pines, NC
Amelia Award - Rolls-Royce/Bentley Post-War
1952 Bentley Mark VI Pininfarina Coupe
Fred and Donna Kriz - Monaco
Amelia Award - Sports and GT Cars 1951-1954
1954 Swallow Doretti
Tommy and Jane Entenza - Jacksonville, FL
Amelia Award - Sports and GT Cars 1951-1954
1954 Arnolt-Bristol Bolide Deluxe
Alberto and Julie Gutierrez - Albuquerque, NM
Amelia Award - Sports and GT Cars 1955-1959
1962 Lotus Elite Super 95
Ron Mitchell - Knoxville, TN
Amelia Award - Sports and GT Cars 1955-1959
1955 Lancia B24 Spider
The Schigiel Collection - Miami Beach, FL
Amelia Award - Sports and GT Cars 1960-1965
1963 Aston Martin DB5C LHD
William H. and Cheryl K. Swanson - Boston, MA
Amelia Award - Sports and GT Cars 1960-1965
1965 Shelby GT350
Campbell Collection - Gainesville, VA
Amelia Award - Sports and GT Cars 1966-1975
1972 Maserati Ghibli SS Coupe
Jim Taylor - Gloversville, NY
Amelia Award - Sports and GT Cars 1966-1975
1971 Iso Grifo
Byron Lamotte - Oxford, MD
Amelia Award - Sports Cars Pre-War
1935 Jaguar SS1 Coupe
Eduardo and Michelle Zavala Harris - Miami Beach, FL
Amelia Award - Sports Cars Pre-War
1935 Audi 225 Convertible
Tampa Bay Automobile Museum - Pinellas Park, FL
