In the past several years I have been fortunate enough to take in the full experience of one of the world’s most prestigious automotive right here in Jacksonville, Florida’s back yard, Amelia Island. The Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance doesn’t only attract automotive enthusiasts and those who are truly addicted to the automotive culture, you can expect to see curiosity at an unprecedented level from virtually every walk of life. Mostly due to the stature of the vehicles on display, dating back from the conception of the automobile to the year 1972, there is something for everyone who has even the slightest recognition of automotive history.
The Amelia Concours is a treat for everyone, providing discoveries for those who are new to the world of vintage automobiles and offering surprises to enthusiasts who pride themselves in an extensive knowledge of automotive history. This is part of the uniqueness of the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, the show can catch an automotive veteran off guard while steadying others on a walk down memory lane. For many, the Amelia Concours is a “bucket list” event, a once in a lifetime experience.
In the past few years of covering the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, I have taken away cherished memories of the people I have met and the cars on display. In a way, for me the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance is a dream come true, yes, even in the limelight of driving a different new vehicle each week and spending countless hours at auto shows around the world. For someone like my mother, a respected grade school teacher who hasn’t the slightest clue about the historical significance of the 1936 Duesenberg SJN or the driving experience associated with the Ferrari 250 GTO, the show is equally treasured and meaningful. She gets it, walking from car to car with a big smile on her face, glancing at each uniquely sculpted body and stopping to take in the short backstory listed on the show plaque. There really is nothing else like thousands of spectators walking on one of the world’s most beautiful golf courses filled with the most esteemed vehicles from around the world.
Each year the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance selects an honoree and pays homage to the accomplishments of the selected honoree and how it correlates to theme and automotive history of the event. Last year (2013) the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance featured Sam Posey, who is one of America’s most articulate representatives of motorsports. His wide range of skills apart from racing is also a tribute and hat tip to the amalgamation of the show.
Other events during the weekend of the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, such as Silent Auctions, RM Auctions, and exclusive displays put on by various manufactures, all plays a part in the versatility and having something for everyone to enjoy.
Leading up to this year’s Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, my staff and I had the opportunity to sit down with founder, Bill Warner. In our discussions we were overwhelmed with his warm and heartfelt passion for helping others, which truly determines that the Concours is much more than just a car show. The local community is a big influence in Warner’s passion. The Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance donates millions of dollars to charity.
Warner welcomed our local Automotive Addicts Cars and Coffee venue to join his Saturday Amelia Island Cars and Coffee, asking us to help select local participants. Usually, our event is held at The Florida Times-Union every second Saturday of the month averaging about 400 vehicles in attendance representing everything from million-dollar exotics and resto/modified VW buses to American muscle cars. For our Cars and Coffee venue in March, we are joining the Amelia Island Cars and Coffee event welcoming our local participants to spectate the nice field of vehicles Amelia Island Concours has invited. It is a pleasure and honor to be part of Saturday’s event and we look forward to covering the Sunday vehicle display.
The 19th Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance with Honoree Jochen Mass takes place this weekend with the Amelia Island Cars and Coffee running Saturday from 9am till 1pm, various other lifestyle events, and concludes with the official vehicle display at The Golf Club of Amelia Island on Sunday from 9:30am till 4pm. AutomotiveAddicts.com will bring to you exclusive coverage following the event in addition to images from Saturday’s Amelia Island Cars and Coffee, which we will be participating in with local vehicle entrants.
Our exclusive coverage of the 19th Annual Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance will be live following the show. You may view previous year Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance coverage here.
