There are many classic car shows and shows that feature vintage aircraft, but very few that offer a combination of the two.
That is exactly what CarCoterie is set to do when it launches the inaugural event called The Hangar, which will be held at Bent Wing Flight Services at Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport March 4 from 4 to 7 p.m.
Shamin Abas and Jeffrey Einhorn co-founded CarCoterie in 2022 with the vision of bringing original and distinctive events for those passionate about classic cars. They both had worked in the automotive and super car world in the past and they believe that experience provides them with a great understanding.
For six years, the two have sought to bring an entirely new vibe to the traditional culture surrounding classic car shows, following the introduction of The Bridge, which has taken place in Bridgehampton, New York each September for the past half dozen years.
Amelia Island has an established rich history in the car world, and the date of The Hangar coincides with the 28th Annual The Amelia Concours d’Elegance which will have event taking place throughout the weekend as well.
According to Einhorn, he understands and respects the history of The Amelia and only wishes to add to the weekend by offering yet another event that is put on with car lovers in mind.
“There’s a wonderful history with the Concours here, but we also thought that it was time bring something different to the table as well,” Einhorn said. “It’s the flow and feel of the event that makes it unique and unusual.”
Some of the cars showcased at the inaugural event will include a 1939 Delahaye, 1960 Auto Union 1,000 Sp, 1964 Ferrari Lusso and a 1955 Mercedes-Benz Gullwing 300SL, as well newer hyper cars made by Aston Martin, Czinger and Rimac.
The event’s unique vibe is created by the fact that the cars will not be judged unlike most car shows.
By doing this, the hope is to create a more relaxed social environment that promotes people talking about classic cars and just enjoying their presence at the event.
“We’ve found that it’s really about building relationships and creating connections for all those that love collecting cars,” Einhorn said. “We hear from a lot them that this is the show that their significant other wants to go to.”
He grew up around and racing historic cars and had the privilege of attending several classic car shows over the years, including Amelia Island and Pebble Beach in California.
According to Einhorn, they take pride in The Bridge being commonly referred to as the “world’s best garden party but just with cars,” which is a name that he believes completely sums up the accomplishment of the atmosphere they were hoping to create when they first started it.
“We want to take that same feeling and bring it to Amelia Island,” Einhorn said.
Especially since The Amelia, with its March date, marks the first marquee event of the car collector’s calendar and 2023 is no different.
The idea to combine historic automobiles and aircraft came about because due to the event’s venue being held at the Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport, which was created during World War II by the United States Navy and originally served as a training facility.
“With the history of the airport, we thought it was just fitting to include aircrafts as part of the show,” Abas said.
Abas stated that there are some extraordinary planes lined up to attend this year and that number is expected to grow in the years to come.
Limited tickets remain available for the event and can be purchased by going to TheHangarAmelia.com.
