The 26th annual Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance took place this past weekend at Amelia Island in the shadow of the Ritz-Carlton to display some of the world’s most coveted and exclusive automobiles.
A 1926 Hispano-Suiza H6B Cabriolet and 1974 Shadow DN4 were crowned this year’s Best in Shows and Lyn St. James was the 2021 honoree.
“The 1926 Hispano-Suiza H6B Cabriolet and 1974 Shadow DN4 both represent the excellence we strive for at The Amelia,” said Bill Warner, Chairman and Founder of the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. “This year’s show field might have been reduced to encourage social distancing, but the quality of the entries made selecting the winners as difficult as ever.”
Moved from March to May this year, the show’s Foundation has donated over $3.75 million to Community Hospice & Palliative Care, Spina Bifida of Jacksonville, and other charities on Florida’s First Coast since its inception in 1996.
The weekend began with cars, seminars and coffee events and auctions from RM Sotheby’s and Bonhams. Together the two auction houses that sold during the annual car show amassed sales of $61.3 million, up from $57.2 million in March of 2020 according to Bloomberg News.
St. James was awarded the prestigious Spirit of Ford Award in a surprise ceremony.
The Amelia gathered 11 of the cars that racer, writer, broadcaster, entrepreneur, and motivational speaker drove throughout her racing career, including the 1985 Ford Mustang displayed by 3 Dog Garage.
The Spirit of Ford was presented to St. James by Jim Farley, CEO of Ford Motor Company.
“Lyn’s achievements on the track are special, but what she has done off the track is just as important to us in defining her legacy,” said Farley. “Lyn, while racing for us, was also a consumer advisor to Ford on women’s issues, including educating women on the car-buying process and how to maintain their vehicles during their ownership.
Her first Daytona 24-hour class victory would come behind the wheel of a historic pony car in 1987 when she shared driving duties with Daytona 500 winner Bill Elliott, Trans-Am Champ Tom Gloy and then-reigning IMSA GTO Champion, Scott Pruett.
The Best in Show Concours d’Elegance Trophy was awarded to a 1926 Hispano-Suiza H6B Cabriolet displayed by Jill and Charles Mitchell of Stuart, Fla.
A 1974 Shadow DN4 displayed by James Bartel of Key West, Fla. took home the Best in Show Concours de Sport Trophy.
“Chevy Thunder” celebrated Chevy-powered cars that made history. Two classes of these V-8 powered cars were displayed at the show. A Friday seminar featured two-time Daytona 500 winner, Dale Earnhardt Jr.
The Amelia celebrated the “all-conquering Porsche 935” with a lively seminar and 13 examples of the iconic race car on the show field. Porsche’s 935 debuted 45 years ago in a world reeling from the Oil Embargo.
The 1895 Morris and Salom Electrobat IV from the America on Wheels Museum in Allentown, Pa. anchored The Amelia’s “It’s Electric” class.
The Amelia will be held March 3-6, 2022 at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island and The Golf Club of Amelia Island.
