The 24th annual Amelia Island Concours was held March 10 at the of the Golf Club of Amelia Island adjacent to the Ritz-Carlton in Amelia Island, Florida The crowds were treated to a display of more than 300 cars and motorcycles. Of all varieties.
“I am proud to say that this year’s Concours had some of the most innovative classes and interesting vehicles to date,” Warner said. “Our celebration of the automobile finds a way to evolve year after year, and we remain delighted to continue showcasing such rich automotive history through our event.”
Featured honoree Jacky Ickx kicked off the 2019 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance by driving onto the field in the Le Mans-winning Porsche 936/81. The legendary “Mr. Le Mans” is a six-time Le Mans winner, 1979 Can-Am Champion, a Formula 1 victor and a Daytona, Sebring and Paris-Dakar winner. A further selection of Ickx’s racers were among the highlights of the ‘Race Cars of Jacky Ickx’ class, such as the pair of 1971 Ferrari 312 PB and Ford GT40 models, the 1968 Ferrari 312 F1, the 1975 Alfa Romeo T33/TT/12 and the 1983 Mercedes-Benz 280GE driven to victory at the Paris-Dakar rally.
In addition to the race cars of Jacky Ickx, the Amelia Island Concours 2019 also celebrated the 70th anniversary of the Jaguar XK120; 60th anniversary of the Ferrari 250 GT SWB; 35th anniversary of the Porsche 962; Indy Innovations; Heads of State cars; Mercedes-Benz 500K and 540K; Cars of Rock Stars and a Custom Coachwork Volkswagen class to acknowledge the 70th anniversary of the VW Bug’s arrival in America.
“I am proud to say that this year’s Concours had some of the most innovative classes and interesting vehicles to date,” said Chairman and Founder Bill Warner. “Our celebration of the automobile finds a way to evolve year after year, and we remain delighted to continue showcasing such rich automotive history through our event.”
Amelia Island is always a perfect mix of rare and exotic one-of-a-kind cars and completely unexpected entertaining and fun displays and themes. It is equal parts elegance and history and plain old fun. Bill Warner has discovered a way to keep things fresh and innovative year after year. A true delight for the participants and the audience.
Trophies are awarded to many classes and a long list of special awards.
The Two Best of Show winners:
The Ritz-Carlton, Best in Show, Concours de Sport
1957 Ferrari 335 S Cavallino Investments – Cortland, OH
The Ritz-Carlton, Best in Show, Concours d’Elegance
1938 Mercedes-Benz 540K Autobahn-Kurier The Keller Collection at the Pyramids – Petaluma, CA
An Amelia Island tradition
The Buddy Palumbo Award for the Car Restored by its Owner
Presented by author B.S.Levy
1917 Locomobile 48 Type M Series 7 John and Mary McAlpin – Naples, NY