Classic car rallies and competitions are very often hosted in exceptional locations but beating Amelia Island, where the 27th edition of the Concours d'Elegance was held this year, would be a tough call.
Green Amelia Island is located in Nassau County, northern Florida, surrounded by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The Concours d'Elegance, which is also a major charity event capable of raising millions of dollars, was held on the lawns of the famous Golf Club, in front of the Ritz Carlton. There is hardly a single car that does not have a great history or isn't impeccably appointed.
Tribute to Ganassi
At the centre of year's celebrations was Floyd “Chip” Ganassi, former racing driver and owner of the Chip Ganassi Racing Team that has been very successful competing in various categories (Cart, Indycar, Nascar) for thirty years. Chip is an American legend and received the Amelia's 2022 award for his work in the automotive world. To mark the occasion, the organisers brought together eight of the cars he drove on the racing track during his remarkable career, like the Dallara that won the 2010 Indianapolis 500 and the Chevrolet Impala that took first place in the 2010 Daytona 500.
Motorsport and celebrations
Amelia Island has a long tradition of celebrating motorsport and the Golf Club hosted the events for the 60th anniversary of the 24 Hours of Daytona and those for the 70th anniversary of the 12 Hours of Sebring. One example was the legendary aluminium 1949 356/2, owned by Cameron Healey and restored by Rod Emory. It was one of the first three Porsches to compete in Le Mans, the toughest and oldest endurance race. Other highlights of the event were the 90th anniversary of the Ford Hot Rod with Bruce Meyer's “Doane Spencer Roadster” and the 100th anniversary of the Lincoln company featuring Rick and Elaine Schmidt's 1924 model “L” with its famous 5.8-litre, 90 hp V8 engine.
The best in show
The Best in Show Concours d'Elegance Trophy was awarded to a Duesenberg J-531 displayed by Harry Yeaggy of Cincinnati, Ohio. Designed to compete against the most luxurious and powerful cars of the 1930s, the Duesenberg J was kitted out with the 6.8-litre eight-cylinder engine with twin camshafts and twin Winfield carburettors.
The “La Grande” Coupe convertible was one of the last to be made. It could touch 185 km/h and was originally owned by Marjorie Merriweather Post, founder of General Foods, philanthropist and fine art collector, who was the richest woman in the world at the time. She used “Dusie” during the summer holidays on Long Island until 1962 and current owner Harry Yeaggy has restored the car to its original specifications.
The Best in Show Concours de Sport Trophy went to the Cadillac DPi presented by the Jackson Collection, of Ellicott City, Maryland. This purpose-built car with a Wayne Taylor Racing chassis and the legendary 600-hp 5.5-litre Cadillac V8 engine raced in the IMSA championship. It went from strength to strength competing successfully in the Petit Le Mans in 2018 and winning the Rolex 24 At Daytona event in 2019.
