At one point, I putter down the parkway of Fernandina Beach in a pristine 1964 Volkswagen Beetle as if I accidentally stepped into a time machine, and moments later, I’m driving a shotgun down the same route in an 800-horsepower Lucid Air electric sedan. If anyone asked for a snapshot that perfectly sums up the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, this would be it.
Since 1996 the Concours has been located at the posh Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in northeast Florida. In its opening year, only 163 cars and 2,200 visitors were present at the Concours. These days the event has more than 100,000 visitors and allows attendees to see more than 300 of the most beautiful cars in the world. And I was lucky enough to attend this year’s event in person.
The best of the past
The hallmark of a good concours event, be it Pebble Beach or Amelia, is the number of well-kept classics – especially the stunning pre-war items. On the lawn to the west were a row of Dusenburgs, Cadillacs, Lincolnns, and Hispano-Suizas, nearly half a mile long, and in some cases even kept in pristine condition.
1926 Hispano-Suiza H6B Cabriolet and 1974 Shadow DN4
Last year a 1929 Duesenberg J-218 Town sedan was named Best in Show, but this year there was something different (but still stunning): a 1926 Hispano-Suiza H6B convertible. The award-winning luxury cruiser is pictured here next to the racing driver who took home the highest Concours de Sport trophy, a 1974 Shadow DN4.
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1995 McLaren F1
1997 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR
Just east of that, on the opposite side of the lawn, was a cacophony of classic cars that could be more recognizable: a McLaren F1, a Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR, even a stunning Jaguar XJR-15 in an eye-burning yellow paint job. And among the well-known automobiles, some obscure – but equally great – options mingled, such as a 1970 Mercury Cyclone Spoiler II from 1970 and a baby blue Maverick Sportster from 1952 (a rare sports custom based on the Cadillac Eldorado concours debut) .
1989 Mercury Cougar
1979 AMX Spirit
This year’s event honored Lyn St. James, a former racing driver who competed in IndyCar and took two class wins in the Daytona 24 Hours. Some of their iconic racing cars were also on display, such as a handsome AMX Spirit from 1979 with its original, retro tasteful blue and orange BFGoodrich livery and a 1989 Mercury Cougar that won the Daytona 24 Hours.
A look into the future
The classics at every concours event are always the main attraction, that goes without saying. But this year we saw upcoming hypercars, some concepts and a range of electric vehicles – led by a “Take Charge” parade that focused on battery-powered vehicles.
2021 Volkswagen ID.4 and 1979 electric transporter
VW caused a sensation with a handful of serial ID.4 electric vehicles and an electric van from 1979. The Tennessee Valley Authority in Chattanooga, Tennessee, once used the electric bus for research purposes and now VW wants to restore the fantastic classic to its original splendor.
Lucid Air prototype
But the most impressive of these could have been the Lucid Air. The company opened a store with a huge booth on the east side of the lawn with two prototypes. I was allowed to ride a shotgun – a grand touring model with over 800 horsepower and an estimated range of 517 miles. With Lucid SVP by Design Derek Jenkins at the helm, I experienced the Lucid Air’s impressive acceleration and high-end cabin firsthand, even if it was just a prototype.
Additionally, Hennessey made its Amelia Island debut showing the very first Venom F5 hypercar. I met with CEO John Hennessey at the company’s booth to discuss the future of the brand, and he gave me the opportunity to discuss some of the more impressive details of the F5.
2021 Hennessey Venom F5
2021 Hennessey Venom F5
This is what the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance is all about, the ability to get up close and personal with some of the most impressive cars in the world. Be it a 1920s Duesenberg or a futuristic electric vehicle like the Lucid Air, the wide range of vehicles ensures that people return to the event year after year.
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