It was another record-breaking year for The Amelia, during the world-renowned concours d’elegance’s 29th year.
A record of more than 27,000 people attended the showcase throughout the four days of the event, and proved once again that car enthusiasts are a hearty bunch as they dodged a rainy forecast during the weekend that resulted in 1.82 inches of rain being dropped but they did not let it deter them.
Best in Show Concours de Sport went to a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, while a 1947 Delahaye 135MS Narval Cabriolet took home Best in Show Concours d’Elegance.
The weeklong celebration of the automobile included an auction, seminars, film viewings and several other automotive-related events.
“Enthusiasts were given no shortage of options this weekend, yet a record 27,000 of them returned to The Amelia,” said McKeel Hagerty, Hagerty CEO and chairman of The Amelia. “A love for cars and people is at the root of any great automotive event, and enthusiasts voted with their most precious asset – their time – and we were thrilled to be their hosts. We saw two global vehicle debuts, several new auction records, packed show fields on Saturday and Sunday and most importantly, great car people coming together to celebrate great cars.”
The 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO shown by David MacNeil has a storied competition history including an overall victory at the 1964 Tour de France and an impressive fourth overall and second in class at the 1963 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The car recently underwent a full restoration to the specification in which it appeared at Le Mans in 1963.
“We sweated the details with this car. Motion Products did an amazing restoration, and the results speak for themselves,” MacNeil said.
The 1947 Delahaye 135MS Narval Cabriolet is one of six “Narval” Cabriolets built, so named as its nose is reminiscent of the bump on a narwhal’s head.
This car was first seen at the 1947 Paris Auto Salon, and its original owner, Charles Trenet, was a well-known singer and songwriter.
He shipped the car to the United States for a concert tour in 1948 and it has seen just three more owners since.
It was restored in its original color of “Orange Brule,” a favorite of coachwork designer Joseph Figoni.
“This car was the Paris Show car in 1947 and today is its return to a concours,” said owner Dana Mecum. “It takes a lot of preparation to come to a concours like Amelia, but this makes it all worth it.”
Several other records on top of the weekend’s attendees included 250 vehicles on display as part of the event’s RADwood exhibit and 375 vehicles at Saturday’s Cars & Community initiative.
The concours on Sunday featured 285 vehicles of a variety of makes and models and the event also led to $150,000 being pledged to local nonprofits.
Next year will mark Hagerty’s 30th celebration of The Amelia, which is scheduled to take place March 6-9, 2025.
