I’m just
back from a whirlwind trip to Amelia Island, Florida, for the 2019 Amelia
Island Concours d’Elegance, meeting with friends and collector car industry
leaders in what has become the premier concours east of the Mississippi.
A weeklong
schedule of parties and seminars culminated in a warm and sunny show-day event,
and I couldn’t resist snapping some photographs of some of my favorite cars on
the lawn of the Ritz-Carlton. Take a look and see if you agree with my choices!
Don and
Carol Murray brought this gorgeous 1956 Ferrari 250GT Speciale from Laguna
Beach, California. One of four prototypes built, this example was first owned
by a Mr. Nassi; a director for Fiat and member of the Agnelli family. Built as
a “wolf in sheep’s clothing,” this demure Ferrari features a competition-style
engine tuned to TDF specifications and was raced at the Nurburgring in the late
1950’s and 1960’s.
Lionel and
Karen Bessudo brought this 1953 Jaguar XK120 FHC all the way from Bogota,
Columbia. Lionel’s father, a Jaguar dealer in South America, raced the car in
period to promote the British automaker. Originally a Fixed Head Coupe, the
hardtop was cut-off when the car was first raced.
This
stunning 1930 Isotta-Fraschini Tipo 8A “Flying Star” was shown by Patrick Ryan
of Asheville, North Carolina. This car is actually a rebody on an 8A chassis
which replicates the original two-seater roadster built by Carrozzeria Touring
of Milan that won the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa D’Este in 1931.
This 1972
Maserati Ghibli was the Modena automaker’s answer to cross-town rivals the
Lamborghini Miura and the Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona. Jim Taylor brought this
car out from Gloversville, New York and has owned the car since 2003. The photo
here shows the uninterrupted roofline that flows from the crest of the
windshield to the edge of the trunk lid; one of Giorgetto Giugiaro’s sublime
design touches that make the Ghibli one of the world’s most beautiful Gran
Turismos.
Are you
picking up on a classic Italian theme here? Guilty as charged! This 1951
Ferrari 212 Export owned by Peter Kalikow of New York City is one of only two
bodied by Vignale in this fashion. It’s had an interesting ownership history.
The first owner was the Portuguese ambassador to France, and a subsequent owner
was Cunningham race team driver Sherwood Johnston, the 1952 SCCA National
Sports Car champion.
Far and away
my favorite car was this 1933 Isotta-Fraschini 2-Door Sports Tourer, which I
consider the epitome of elegance. A hand-built body designed by Ercole
Castagna, it is one of only two dual-cowl sports tourer examples known. Many
collectors consider the Tipo 8A series to be the world’s greatest luxury car.
This example was shown by Evergreen Historic Automobiles of Lebanon, Missouri.
Finally,
here are two more picks – but I couldn’t decide on a favorite – so I just put one
on each arm! (Left) Ex-Porsche legendary racer Brian Redman, and (right) Alain de
Cadenet, LeMans endurance racer and television presenter.
Lyn St. James and I are proud to support
the RPM Foundation in accelerating the
growth of the next generation of restoration and preservation craftsmen through
formal training and mentorship.
Investment Advisory Services offered
through Mutual Advisors, LLC DBA Biltmore Advisors, an SEC registered
investment advisor.
I’m just
back from a whirlwind trip to Amelia Island, Florida, for the 2019 Amelia
Island Concours d’Elegance, meeting with friends and collector car industry
leaders in what has become the premier concours east of the Mississippi.
