Steve Purdy Covers 2012 Amelia Island Concours D'Elegance

Amelia Concours A Fantastic Weekend for Lovers of Automotive History

By Steve Purdy
TheAutoChannel.com
Michigan Bureau

The 2012 Amelia Island Concours D'Elegance was the first big classic and collector car show of the season, overtaking the grounds of the Ritz Carlton Hotel and Convention Center at Amelia Island, Florida. Founder and chairman, Bill Warner, along with his auspicious crew are known for presenting fascinating seminars that bring the biggest names in auto racing and car collecting as part of this, one the finest car shows in the country.

Where else but Amelia could we sit around a conference room and listen to the stories of the guys who were immersed in the epic battle between Carroll Shelby with his Cobras and Enzo Ferrari with his amazing racing cars that dominated European road racing. The battle ended with the first American car with an American driver successfully challenging the Europeans in road racing. Usually about half the Amelia Island show is focused on racing themes and racing cars.

Another forum, led by the McKeel Hagerty, whose insurance company is the leader in the collector car business, explored investing in collector automobiles. With a focus on the Cobras, Ferraris and what they referred to as “Blue Chip” cars. We heard that the racing Ferraris, now bringing unimaginably high prices at auction, are likely to continue to amaze. We learned what Cobras were likely to appreciate rapidly and what classics to watch.

And, where else could we laugh and laugh at the great stories of the most iconic endurance racers of all time chiding and teasing one another and describing colorfully the cars and tracks and people that made Le Mans, Sebring, Targa Florio and other races so memorable. If you know anything about racing you’ll know the names Brian Redman, Jim Hall, Sam Posey, David Hobbs, Hurley Haywood, Joe Buzetta, Derek Bell, Gerard Larrousse, David Hobbs and Vic Elford. This panel, moderated by veteran journalist and author Tim Considine, could easily constitute years of inductions in an Endurance Racing Hall of Fame. More than a thousand enthusiasts crammed into the ballroom for that one.

Vic Elford, by the way, was the honoree here at Amelia this year and some of his race cars were on the field. Elford’s racing career spanned the 1960s and 70s with long lists of wins in a variety of race cars in many racing series. Also honored with special displays were Ferrari GTOs, Shelby Cobras and Custom Bodied Cadillacs and cars featured on the covers of Road & Track Magazine.

A big part of the weekend, and great entertainment for lovers of collector cars, is the RM Auction that takes over one entire end of the Ritz Carlton Conference Center.

Over a hundred special cars crossed the block on Saturday after being displayed Thursday and Friday. Six cars brought over $1 million each at this year’s auction led by a 1929 Cord L-29 with body by Hayes that went for $2.42 million. Perhaps the most striking car to go through the auction was the 1930 Bugatti Type 46 Superprofile Coupe with its bold black and yellow color scheme and textured leather interior which sold for just over $1 million.

With those two full days of events behind me I chose to get to the show field before first light on Sunday to witness the filling of the field – that is, the 10th and 18th fairways of the golf course which looked much like those of a PGA Tour event with hospitality tents strewn about and surrounding the pass in review area.

Two-thirds of a soft white moon dancing among wispy clouds presided over the before-dawn preparations for the big Sunday show. The raspy blat of an old race car echoed through the trees lining the outer driveway. Within a few seconds we could smell the sweet aroma of spent racing fuel. Then, the muffled chug-chug of a large four-cylinder engine, sounding much like a farm tractor, announced the coming of a beautiful old Stutz Bearcat rounding the line of tents where volunteers gathered at the Hagerty tent for donuts and coffee.

Across the pond, artists from the Automotive Fine Art Society hustled to get their works displayed in another large tent right next to where the special display of Enzo-era Ferraris was getting organized.

As the morning light came up the hustle and bustle increased to almost a frantic pace as nearly 300 classic, collector and race cars found their places on the field. Bill Warner, with head-set phone and walkie-talkie in his hand, zipped around on his golf cart solving one minor problem after another like a general organizing his troops. The casual observer would probably say it came together without a hitch, but close observation would reveal many glitches. But Bill and his team pride themselves on being prepared for just about any contingency.

By the time the public began to stream through the gates those 300 cars, a dozen or more tents, vendors, sound system and all the logistics were in place and more impressive than any show east of Pebble Beach. As the grounds filled with spectators the rich voice of Ed Lucas, most popular and notable of all concours MCs, took the microphone for announcements, introductions and narration. When we hear that resonate voice we know we’re around beautiful cars.

Strolling the field at a leisurely pace with camera at work shooting details and special cars I had the chance to really absorb the show. Judging had begun. Judging teams stand out with most in blue blazers and khaki trousers. Ninety judges participated, many with familiar names to most enthusiasts: chief judge William Jeanes, racing icon and journalist Denise McCluggage, GM Design VP Ed Welburn, publisher Keith Crain, Meadow Brook Concours founder Don Sommer, author and journalist Matt Stone, and on and on. Bill Warner walked slowly along the assembled judges as they gathered just before the pass in review and introduced each one individually, including qualifications and home town, without notes. Amazing.

The pass in review took hours, but what a parade of automotive history! Not just the race cars, the classics and other rare vehicles but the people as well. A fashion show began the festivities featuring models adorned in period costumes riding in special cars that matched their outfits. Then, winning cars from each class were introduced by Mr. Lucas.

A few of the people and cars that stick in my mind are: Eldon Hostetler and his amazingly detailed Railton with custom-built cubbies in every conceivable space; Joe Bortz’s 1956 Cadillac with brash Die Valkyrie custom body; Jim Taylor’s unrestored 1937 Horch with a colorful patina of age; the 1934 Ford Model 40 Special Speedster designed and built by Edsel Ford and Bob Gregorie; Fatty Arbuckles’ 1923 McFarlan from the Niethercut Collection; and the 1961 Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato owned by the Sydoricks of Beverly Hills, CA.

Finally, we got to the ultimate awards - the two Best of Show. Winning the Concours e’Elegance honors was the stunning 1938 Bugatti Type 57 owned by the Off Brothers from Hickory Corners, Michigan. The Concours de Sport Best of Show trophy went to the 1962 Ferrari 330 LM, also known as “3765 GTO,” owned by Jim Jaeger from Indian Hill, Ohio.

So, that was the 17th Amelia Island Concours d”Elegance. It will be tough to top this one, but I’ll bet Bill Warner and his compatriots will do so next year.