Held on the days of March 10th through March 13 at the Ritz Carlton on Amelia Island in Florida, the 21st Concours d'Elegance has evolved into  the premier antique and classic car show on the east coast of the United States. Situated thirty miles from the city of Jacksonville on the northern border of the state of Florida, the event attracts tens of thousands of people to the event literally overloading the hotels in the area. "We are booked up all the way into Georgia" was one line this writer heard from one hotel reception clerk. Why would so many come to an otherwise overlooked corner of the state? Looking at these photos, most readers will want to book their reservations now to see the next show in person. It is a lightly populated corner of Florida, and hotels book out very quickly.

In addition to becoming the finest automobile show on the East Coast, this venue has become important for leading car auctions as well. Bonhams held a prior sale at the Fernandina Beach Golf Club on March 10th. Those results can be seen here. Foremost sales included Lot 123, 1967 Ferrari 275 sold for $2.75 million lot 139 a 1937 Bugatti Roadster sold for $9.735 and lot 167, a 1937 Mercedes 540 Cabriolet sold for $2.97 million US dollars. 

On March 11 Gooding and Compnay held their Amelia Island Auction, and those results can be seen here.

RM Sothebys was held at the Amelia Island Ritz Carleton on March 12th, those results may be seen here.

Next years show will be March 10th through March 12, 2017, for more information, click here

1938 Phantom Corsair Experimental, Cord engine, Class SDC

1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Beverly C1

1937 Cord 812 Supercharged C1

1940 Mercury Sport Coupe Custom

1933 Packard Twelve Convertible Victoria

1933 Packard Twelve Convertible Victoria

1949 Ferrari 166, 24 Hours of Le Mans winner, Class TC

1953 Ferrari 340, Class RCI

1953 Ferrari 250 Europa, Class FGC  

1957 Ferrari TRC 500, Class RC1

1964 Ferrari 250M, 24hr of Le Mans winner, Class TC

1966 Ferrari 275 GTB, Class FGT

 1953 Fiat 8V Supersonic, Class SC1 

1955 Pegaso Coupe, Class PG

1954 Pegaso Z 102, Class PG

1950 Maserati A6 1500, Class SC1

1950 Maserati A6 1500, Class SC1

1954 Cunningham C3 Carrozzeria Vignale, SC

1960 Aston Martin DB4, Class SC3  

1964 Shelby Cobra 289 MKII CSX 2512, Class SC3. This legendary car was involved in a police chase across California. Driver finally caught at Nevada state line. "You may outrun the cops, but not the radio"

 1965 Shelby DeTomaso P70, RC2

  1964 Porsche 356 C 1600 Cabriolet, Class PC. Inspired by Janis Joplin's Porsche

 1968 Lamborghini Miura, Class LM

1966 Bizzarini 5300 Spyder, SDB

 1966 Bizzarini 5300 Spyder, SDB

 1969 Penske Camaro, Class TA

 1971 Plymouth Roadrunner, Class TC  

1970 VPJ Colt Ford Johnny Lighting, Indy champ, Class TC 

1957 Watson Indianapolis 500 Race car, Class TC

To read Part One of the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance 2016, click here

To read the story on the Seal Cove Auto Museum, Mt. Desert Maine, click here

First published 21/3/2016 

By Alex Boyle