Hundreds of cars of all different shapes and sizes and makes and models graced the grounds of the Golf Club at Amelia Island March 7-10 for the 24th annual Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance.
Parading and admiring the cars were sophisticated men and women from around the world, with many donning their finest suits and dresses to add to the elegant ambiance of the event.
“This is out of everybody else’s league,” said Keith Romann, a car enthusiast attending the Amelia from Ocala, Florida. “This is a league of their own.”
Speaking of a league of their own, judges at the event crowned the 1938 Mercedes-Benz 540K Autobahn-Kurier and 1957 Ferrari 335 S as the 2019 Best in Show. The Amelia also hosted 2019 honoree “Mr. Le Mans” Jacky Ickx, a six-time Le Mans winner, 1979 Can-Am Champion, a Formula 1 victor and a Daytona, Sebring and Paris-Dakar winner.
New for this year’s event, the Amelia included “Cars of the Rock Stars,” a class specially curated by John Oates of Hall & Oates. Pairing specific vehicles with guitars, the class consisted of Oates’ personal collection and featured additional vehicles owned or closely associated with well-known musicians. In addition, John Oates sang a rendition of the national anthem.
“I think this year is even better than the last,” said Oates, who attended the Amelia for the second consecutive year. “Bill Warner’s so passionate and all the people who work here are so friendly. They welcomed me with open arms, and I really feel at home. I just enjoy the experience.”
New classes also included a fleet of limousines titled “Heads of State.” This fleet was made up of cars of kings and queens, presidents, popes and even a dictator. Additional highlights included a class of Ferrari 250 GT "SWB," Jaguar XK 120, a celebration of Indy Innovations and a Custom Coachwork Volkswagen class to acknowledge the 70th anniversary of the VW Bug’s arrival in America.
“It’s great fun but mostly because I get to see all my friends and some wonderful cars,” said Dan Suskin of Atlanta, who displayed his 1910 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost at the event. “The people who run Amelia run it very, very well.”
