Car Collectors and Enthusiasts alike gathered at Amelia Island, FL last week for the The Amelia, a classic car show and auction where some truly rare vehicles come out of the garage and rub elbows with the rich and famous.
Among a field of more than 240 historically significant automobiles, spanning 35 classes, a 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 claimed the prestigious title of Best of Show, Concours d’Elegance, while a 1967 Lotus 49 was honored as Best of Show, Concours de Sport at the 30th Amelia Concours d’Elegance. Event press releases, concours results, photos and the event program can be found here.
Best of Show – Concours d’Elegance: The 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 Chassis No. 412028 is believed to be one of the prototypes for the 1938 Mille Miglia. When it was restored, it was found that the car was an original short chassis model, and the engine had different characteristics than that of the Sport 8C 2.9, including a larger and different exhaust system. The car was ordered new in 1938 by the famous Italian racing champion Giuseppe Farina. It is the only 8C 2900 bodied by Farina.
“My husband and I won an award here together in 2020. He passed away a year ago and he would be proud to have this car win,” said Deborah Keller, owner of the winning Alfa Romeo. “It was in the stars today. It took a lot of work to get it here in time. I’m thrilled.”
Best of Show – Concours de Sport: The 1967 Lotus 49 Chassis No. 49/2 is the second Lotus 49 built. It was debuted by the legendary Jimmy Clark at Zandvoort in 1967, marking the first appearance of the Cosworth DFV engine. In addition to winning at Silverstone & Watkins Glen, it was the winner of four Tasman races from 1967-1968 while being driven in 1968 by Jackie Oliver and Jo Siffert. It was raced by Mario Andretti in South Africa in 1969 and sold to Pete Lovely by Lotus’ Colin Chapman in 1969. Lovely then raced the car in multiple grand prix races from 1969-1971. The car was restored by Classic Team Lotus in 2010.
“Our 4th grade elementary class went to the Indianapolis Motor Speed Way for a field trip. I thought it was pretty cool so I went to the race that year and saw Jimmy Clark win. That’s what lit the fuse,” said owner of the winning Lotus, Chris MacAllister. “It’s nice that the car gets the attention it deserves. It really is an important car in Formula 1 history.”
“For 30 years, The Amelia has shown enthusiasts that while automotive design and competition are always evolving, the enthusiasm for special cars remains steadfast – especially the very best of the best,” said McKeel Hagerty, Hagerty CEO, Board Chairman and Chairman of The Amelia. “More than 100 years of classics were present this weekend as thousands of people gathered on the show fields to honor automotive history and celebrate car culture. My heartfelt thanks go to our guests, spectators, volunteers and everyone else who helps make this celebration one of the greatest annual events for car lovers, young and old.”
The weekend celebration of automotive excellence welcomed thousands of passionate auto enthusiasts to The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island in Florida. This year’s event paid tribute to racing icon and four-time Indianapolis 500 champion Hélio Castroneves, who showcased a collection of historically significant race cars.
