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Automotive

20 very cool cars from the 2018 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance

By Mike Hanlon
March 14, 2018
20 very cool cars from the 2018 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance
Having too much fun, Denise Dolan and the ninth oldest extant Silver Ghost, a 1908 model that was discovered in 1958 still working as a tow truck in a junk yard. The car has now been restored and completed the "Round Britain Tour" in June 2017, clocking up 2,900 road miles last year. The Round Britain Tour was created in celebration of the 110th Anniversary of the achievements of the original Silver Ghost AX201 in the Scottish Trails and Endurance Run.
Having too much fun, Denise Dolan and the ninth oldest extant Silver Ghost, a 1908 model that was discovered in 1958 still working as a tow truck in a junk yard. The car has now been restored and completed the "Round Britain Tour" in June 2017, clocking up 2,900 road miles last year. The Round Britain Tour was created in  celebration of the 110th Anniversary of the achievements of the original Silver Ghost AX201 in the Scottish Trails and Endurance Run.
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History in the flesh. This car was built for the 1967 National Off-Road Racing Association's 849-mile race dubbed the Mexican 1000. The race would go down in history as the first Baja 1000. Built by Vic Hickey with help from GM, this purpose-built racing buggy used a 450-hp 350 cubic-inch V8 and GM Hydra-Matic auto, 4-wheel discs, front and rear independent Torsion Bar Suspension and only got around 25 percent of the distance. Then actor/racer Steve McQueen and Bud Ekins bought it and raced it and two years later, it won. The car was purchased two years ago at Pebble Beach by film director/car aficianado James Glickenhaus (Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus) who made it street legal. Nice wheels, Mr Glickenhaus!!!
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History in the flesh. This car was built for the 1967 National Off-Road Racing Association's 849-mile race dubbed the Mexican 1000. The race would go down in history as the first Baja 1000. Built by Vic Hickey with help from GM, this purpose-built racing buggy used a 450-hp 350 cubic-inch V8 and GM Hydra-Matic auto, 4-wheel discs, front and rear independent Torsion Bar Suspension and only got around 25 percent of the distance. Then actor/racer Steve McQueen and Bud Ekins bought it and raced it and two years later, it won. The car was purchased two years ago at Pebble Beach by film director/car aficianado James Glickenhaus (Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus) who made it street legal. Nice wheels, Mr Glickenhaus!!!
It doesn't look like it, but this is an MG TD Sport Speciale with body by Rocco Motto's Carrozzeria Motto Coachworks and Gilbert Colombo creating the chassis. Competitive with OSCAs and Porsches in the F-modified class in the 1950s at tracks such as Watkins Glen, Elkhart and Marlboro. Only three were made, and although the placard at Amelia Island suggested only two are still in existence, we found this nice article about the car which suggests all three have survived.
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It doesn't look like it, but this is an MG TD Sport Speciale with body by Rocco Motto's Carrozzeria Motto Coachworks and Gilbert Colombo creating the chassis. Competitive with OSCAs and Porsches in the F-modified class in the 1950s at tracks such as Watkins Glen, Elkhart and Marlboro. Only three were made, and although the placard at Amelia Island suggested only two are still in existence, we found this nice article about the car which suggests all three have survived.
This 1954 SIATA is one of 11 cars bodied by Balbo and powered by a Fiat 8V engine.Imported in 1953, it was purchased second hand from a used car lot in Queens, New York by Dr Julius Eisenstark and has remained in the family since, being shown in the Amelia Concours by Walter and Rosanne Eisenstark. Last June while being road tested by a technician, the car was hit from behind and damaged extensively by a driver who was texting. The damage catalyzed a complete restoration to original, as it presented at Amelia Island Concours.
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This 1954 SIATA is one of 11 cars bodied by Balbo and powered by a Fiat 8V engine.Imported in 1953, it was purchased second hand from a used car lot in Queens, New York by Dr Julius Eisenstark and has remained in the family since, being shown in the Amelia Concours by Walter and Rosanne Eisenstark. Last June while being road tested by a technician, the car was hit from behind and damaged extensively by a driver who was texting. The damage catalyzed a complete restoration to original, as it presented at Amelia Island Concours.
The placard on this car at Amelia Island, which is part of the Collier Collection at the Revs Institute, used the same words as the Revs Institute page, plus several other write ups on the car. All of them state that the car was driven in the 1971 24 Hours of Le Mans by Dr Helmut Marko (now the brains behind the Red Bull F1 team) and Gijs van Lennep. Follow that link and you'll see that the car driven by Marko and van Lennep won the race, which presumably means that this car won Le Mans though pics of the winning car are different. Go figure!
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The placard on this car at Amelia Island, which is part of the Collier Collection at the Revs Institute, used the same words as the Revs Institute page, plus several other write ups on the car. All of them state that the car was driven in the 1971 24 Hours of Le Mans by Dr Helmut Marko (now the brains behind the Red Bull F1 team) and Gijs van Lennep. Follow that link and you'll see that the car driven by Marko and van Lennep won the race, which presumably means that this car won Le Mans though pics of the winning car are different. Go figure!
An authentic 1958 Lister Knobbly Chevrolet (BHL 118) shown by Thomas and Sharon Malloy at Amelia Island. An almost identical car (BHL 115) was sold by Bonhams for $1.43 million at Quail Lodge (Monterey) in 2013.
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An authentic 1958 Lister Knobbly Chevrolet (BHL 118) shown by Thomas and Sharon Malloy at Amelia Island. An almost identical car (BHL 115) was sold by Bonhams for $1.43 million at Quail Lodge  (Monterey) in 2013.
Twice winner of the World Formula One drivers Championship and two time Indianapolis 500 winner Emerson Fittipaldi was the guest of honor at Amelia Island, thrilling the crowds with an array of machinery he raced during his illustrious career. Here Emerson is pictured in the 1974 McLaren M23 in which he gave the now stellar marque its first of many drivers and constructors titles.
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Twice winner of the World Formula One drivers Championship and two time Indianapolis 500 winner Emerson Fittipaldi was the guest of honor at Amelia Island, thrilling the crowds with an array of machinery he raced during his illustrious career. Here Emerson is pictured in the 1974 McLaren M23 in which he gave the now stellar marque its first of many drivers and constructors titles.
This 1911 Rolls-Royce Landaulet by Barker was sold new to Mrs Lucile Carter. Apart from being wealthy enough to purchase one of the most desirable cars on Planet Earth at the time, Mrs Carter lucked out again the next year when she was one of the 2,224 aboard the Titanic on April 15, 1912, and lived to tell the tale. The car eventually made its way to America, and was purchased by Rolls-Royce aficionado Millard Newman. In 1970, Newman built two very accurate replicas of Charles Rolls’ original balloon car - a car designed to carry the basket for the hot air balloons raced by the founder of the famous marque. This car is one of those replicas, the other having sold for $1,430,000 at Gooding & Co in 2007, and again for $484,000 at RM-Sotheby's Monterey sale in 2011. Lots of detail from that auction description is relevant to this car.
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This 1911 Rolls-Royce Landaulet by Barker was sold new to Mrs Lucile Carter. Apart from being wealthy enough to purchase one of the most desirable cars on Planet Earth at the time, Mrs Carter lucked out again the next year when she was one of the 2,224 aboard the  Titanic on April 15, 1912, and lived to tell the tale. The car eventually made its way to America, and was purchased by Rolls-Royce aficionado Millard Newman. In 1970, Newman built two very accurate replicas of Charles Rolls’ original balloon car - a car designed to carry the basket for the hot air  balloons raced by the founder of the famous marque. This car is one of those replicas, the other having sold for $1,430,000 at Gooding & Co in 2007, and again for $484,000 at RM-Sotheby's Monterey sale in 2011. Lots of detail from that auction description is relevant to this car.
Having too much fun, Denise Dolan and the ninth oldest extant Silver Ghost, a 1908 model that was discovered in 1958 still working as a tow truck in a junk yard. The car has now been restored and completed the "Round Britain Tour" in June 2017, clocking up 2,900 road miles last year. The Round Britain Tour was created in celebration of the 110th Anniversary of the achievements of the original Silver Ghost AX201 in the Scottish Trails and Endurance Run.
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Having too much fun, Denise Dolan and the ninth oldest extant Silver Ghost, a 1908 model that was discovered in 1958 still working as a tow truck in a junk yard. The car has now been restored and completed the "Round Britain Tour" in June 2017, clocking up 2,900 road miles last year. The Round Britain Tour was created in  celebration of the 110th Anniversary of the achievements of the original Silver Ghost AX201 in the Scottish Trails and Endurance Run.
The first owner of this 1955 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback was Raymond Montague Burton, head of the eponymous British high-street clothing chain founded by his father Sir Montague Burton. The car was ordered new, as one can do today with Bentleys, with a recess in the left hand door for picnic equipment, and a bespoke set of Bentley luggage. The common phrase "the Full Monty," originally referred to a complete 55 shillings Montague Burton outfit, with the suits for all the shops across Britain made in a workshop in Leeds which at its peak, produced 30,000 suits a week.
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The first owner of this 1955 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback was Raymond Montague Burton, head of the eponymous British high-street clothing chain founded by his father Sir Montague Burton. The car was ordered new, as one can do today with Bentleys, with a recess in the left hand door for picnic equipment, and a bespoke set of Bentley luggage. The common phrase "the Full Monty," originally referred to a complete 55 shillings Montague Burton outfit, with the suits for all the shops across Britain made in a workshop in Leeds which at its peak, produced 30,000 suits a week.
The top-of-the-range Buick at the time of the company's 50th anniversary in 1953 was the Skylark, which was promoted as the American answer to the European sportscar. Only 1,690 Skylarks were produced, largely due to the unprecedented list price of slightly in excess of US$5,000 which was over 50 percent more than the well-equipped US$3,200 Roadmaster convertible on which it was based. It was however, by far the most luxurious Buick ever produced. Purchasers had their name engraved on a gold plaque on the hub of the steering wheel. Its features included power brakes, power steering, power windows, power seats and a power aerial for the foot-controlled Selectronic radio.
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The top-of-the-range Buick at the time of the company's 50th anniversary in 1953 was the Skylark, which was promoted as the American answer to the European sportscar. Only 1,690 Skylarks were produced, largely due to the unprecedented  list price of slightly in excess of US$5,000 which was over 50 percent more than the well-equipped US$3,200 Roadmaster convertible on which it was based. It was however, by far the most luxurious Buick ever produced. Purchasers had their name engraved on a gold plaque on the hub of the steering wheel. Its features included power brakes, power steering, power windows, power seats and a power aerial for the foot-controlled Selectronic radio.
This is a Dodge Granada, a one-off concept car produced by Chrysler Corporation and debuted at the Los Angeles Auto Show in 1954 with some interesting production techniques. The one-piece fiberglass body bolted directly to the Dodge convertible chassis and the grille, bumpers and all body attachments are fiberglass. The car eventually ended up in the Mitchell Car Museum in Michigan and was sold for $228,800 in a liquidation sale in 2014, before being completely restored.
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This is a Dodge Granada, a one-off concept car produced by Chrysler Corporation and debuted at the Los Angeles Auto Show in 1954 with some interesting production techniques. The one-piece fiberglass body bolted directly to the Dodge convertible chassis and the grille, bumpers and all body attachments are fiberglass. The car eventually ended up in the Mitchell Car Museum in Michigan and was sold for $228,800 in a liquidation sale in 2014, before being completely restored.
The Thunderbolt concept was designed by Alex Tremulis (later to design the Tucker Torpedo, Cord 810 and 812, all of which shows in the Thunderbolt in our opinion) and Ralph Roberts from coachbuilders LeBaron. The futuristic design includes, as you can see above, retractable headlights and it was also the very first convertible with a fully-retractable, electrically-operated hard top, which was designed, developed and patented by Ralph Roberts. The Thunderbolt is powered by a 140 hp, 323.5 ci, Spitfire straight eight and was named after Captain George Eyston's car that ran a new land speed record of 357.53 mph at Bonneville in 1938. The Thunderbolt has push-button door switches inside and out and was the first car to use back-lit, Lucite-edged illuminated gauges.This car is one of only four surviving Thunderbolts, and as far as we can find, the only one to ever reach public auction fetched $935,000 at RM-Sotheby's 2011 Monterey sale.
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The Thunderbolt concept was designed by Alex Tremulis (later to design the Tucker Torpedo, Cord 810 and 812, all of which shows in the Thunderbolt in our opinion) and Ralph Roberts from coachbuilders LeBaron. The futuristic design includes, as you can see above, retractable headlights and it was also the very first convertible with a fully-retractable, electrically-operated hard top, which was designed, developed and patented by Ralph Roberts. The Thunderbolt is powered by a 140 hp, 323.5 ci, Spitfire straight eight and was named after Captain George Eyston's car that ran a new land speed record of 357.53 mph at Bonneville in 1938. The Thunderbolt has push-button door switches inside and out and was the first car to use back-lit, Lucite-edged illuminated gauges.This car is one of only four surviving Thunderbolts, and as far as we can find, the only one to ever reach public auction fetched $935,000 at RM-Sotheby's 2011 Monterey sale.
This is quite a famous car, having been one of the MG PA cars which were used by an all-female team to win the teams class at the 1935 24 Hours of Le Mans. The team was entered by Captain George Eyston and finished 24th, 25th and 26th outright (some great images of the female racers in the team here) before finding its way to America where it was driven by the Collier Brothers in a series of events which gave birth to the Automobile Racing Club of America. A crash saw the bodywork destroyed and the aerodynamic body seen on the car now resulted, with the car returning to Le Mans for the 1939 event in this form.
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This is quite a famous car, having been one of the MG PA cars which were used by an all-female team to win the teams class at the 1935 24 Hours of Le Mans. The team was entered by Captain George Eyston and finished 24th, 25th and 26th outright (some great images of the female racers in the team here) before finding its way to America where it was driven by the Collier Brothers in a series of events which gave birth to the Automobile Racing Club of America. A crash saw the bodywork destroyed and the aerodynamic body seen on the car now resulted, with the car returning to Le Mans for the 1939 event in this form.
This 1934 Bugatti Type 57 Stelvio has been in single family ownership for the last 54 years, but its early existence was full of intrigue. It survived WW2 hidden under a haystack in a barn in France, , was then owned in post-war Europe by an American CIA agent and Bugatti Club member, who sold it into the current family ownership.
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This 1934 Bugatti Type 57 Stelvio has been in single family ownership for the last 54 years, but its early existence was full of intrigue. It survived WW2 hidden under a haystack in a barn in France, , was then owned in post-war Europe by an American CIA agent and Bugatti Club member, who sold it into the current family ownership.
It is a great irony that the two best known and flamboyant French coachbuilders from the art deco era of coachbuilding were not French. Giuseppe Figoni from Figoni et Falaschi was Italian, and Jacques Saoutchik was born Iakov Savtchuk in Russia. This Cadillac is one of Saoutchik's most extravagant designs, being one of just two Cadillacs bodied by the flamboyant coachbuilder. If you think this is over the top, you should see the other one. This car is part of the Abagnale Collection, curated by Sonny and Joan Abagnale.
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It is a great irony that the two best known and flamboyant French coachbuilders from the art deco era of coachbuilding were not French. Giuseppe Figoni from Figoni et Falaschi was Italian, and Jacques Saoutchik was born Iakov Savtchuk in Russia. This Cadillac is one of Saoutchik's most extravagant designs, being one of just two Cadillacs bodied by the flamboyant coachbuilder. If you think this is over the top, you should see the other one. This car is part of the Abagnale Collection, curated by Sonny and Joan Abagnale.
Despite being delivered just prior to WW2 to Baron Georges de Cocq, the entire life of this Bugatti Type 57 Cabriolet is known in great detail, including being split from its engine and reunited many years later, then finally after numerous owners, restored to its original condition as bodied by Letourneur & Marchand.
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Despite being delivered just prior to WW2 to Baron Georges de Cocq, the entire life of this Bugatti Type 57 Cabriolet is known in great detail, including being split from its engine and reunited many years later, then finally after numerous owners, restored to its original condition as bodied by Letourneur & Marchand.
This Bugatti Type 57S was delivered new to Dr André Chauvenet, a highly respected surgeon in Noir, France. Chauvenet had been a child prodigy, being admitted to medical school at 16 years of age, becoming so well known and sought after for his skills, that he was able to purchase the most costly version of the most costly Bugatti by 37 years of age. When war broke out, Chauvenet was one of the earliest organizers of the French resistance, and led a dangerous life in which he was arrested and imprisoned several times before being committed to a series of German prisons: Hinzert, Wittlich, Trier, Tegel-Berlon, Bauttzen, Dresden, Radenbert, and finally Buchenwald. After his release at the conclusion of the war he returned to his profession and lived a happy and full life, as has his car.
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This Bugatti Type 57S was delivered new to Dr André Chauvenet, a highly respected surgeon in Noir, France. Chauvenet had been a child prodigy, being admitted to medical school at 16 years of age, becoming so well known and sought after for his skills, that he was able to purchase the most costly version of the most costly Bugatti by 37 years of age. When war broke out, Chauvenet was one of the earliest organizers of the French resistance, and led a dangerous life in which he was arrested and imprisoned several times before being committed to a series of German prisons: Hinzert, Wittlich, Trier, Tegel-Berlon, Bauttzen, Dresden, Radenbert, and finally Buchenwald. After his release at the conclusion of the war he returned to his profession and lived a happy and full life, as has his car.
This Bugatti Type 57S was delivered new to Dr André Chauvenet, a highly respected surgeon in Noir, France. Chauvenet had been a child prodigy, being admitted to medical school at 16 years of age, becoming so well known and sought after for his skills, that he was able to purchase the most costly version of the most costly Bugatti by 37 years of age. When war broke out, Chauvenet was one of the earliest organizers of the French resistance, and led a dangerous life in which he was arrested and imprisoned several times before being committed to a series of German prisons: Hinzert, Wittlich, Trier, Tegel-Berlon, Bauttzen, Dresden, Radenbert, and finally Buchenwald. After his release at the conclusion of the war he returned to his profession and lived a happy and full life, as has his car.
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This Bugatti Type 57S was delivered new to Dr André Chauvenet, a highly respected surgeon in Noir, France. Chauvenet had been a child prodigy, being admitted to medical school at 16 years of age, becoming so well known and sought after for his skills, that he was able to purchase the most costly version of the most costly Bugatti by 37 years of age. When war broke out, Chauvenet was one of the earliest organizers of the French resistance, and led a dangerous life in which he was arrested and imprisoned several times before being committed to a series of German prisons: Hinzert, Wittlich, Trier, Tegel-Berlon, Bauttzen, Dresden, Radenbert, and finally Buchenwald. After his release at the conclusion of the war he returned to his profession and lived a happy and full life, as has his car.
If you don't remember the car chase scene in the Steve McQueen film Bullitt, then you probably won't be reading this article this deep. The car has been found and appeared at Amelia Island courtesy of Hagerty Insurance. The story of rediscovering the car is well told in this Larry Webster piece.
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If you don't remember the car chase scene in the Steve McQueen film Bullitt, then you probably won't be reading this article this deep. The car has been found and appeared at Amelia Island courtesy of Hagerty Insurance. The story of rediscovering the car is well told in this Larry Webster piece.
This vehicle was built on a 1949 Buick Roadmaster Dyna Flow frame for Congressman Richard M Kleberg Snr. It was designed by no less a celebrity than Harley Earl. King Ranch is the largest ranch in Texas, at 1,289 square miles. That's bigger than Rhode Island. In the 1940s, owner Richard M. Kleberg, a US congressman, approached Buick designer and executive Harley Earl about a vehicle he could use on the ranch. What they came up with was the El Kineño, a custom-designed 1949 Buick convertible with every outlandish feature you can imagine. The car had two spare tires, six shotgun sheaths, its own winch, a two-way radio, and a beefed-up suspension and cooling system. It even had a seat perched on the front fender for a cowboy to rope cattle from! Strangely, it did not have a longhorn hood ornament, but did have a hood ornament in the shape of the ranch's brand.
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This vehicle was built on a 1949 Buick Roadmaster Dyna Flow frame for Congressman Richard M Kleberg Snr. It was designed by no less a celebrity than Harley Earl. King Ranch is the largest ranch in Texas, at 1,289 square miles. That's bigger than Rhode Island. In the 1940s, owner Richard M. Kleberg, a US congressman, approached Buick designer and executive Harley Earl about a vehicle he could use on the ranch. What they came up with was the El Kineño, a custom-designed 1949 Buick convertible with every outlandish feature you can imagine. The car had two spare tires, six shotgun sheaths, its own winch, a two-way radio, and a beefed-up suspension and cooling system. It even had a seat perched on the front fender for a cowboy to rope cattle from! Strangely, it did not have a longhorn hood ornament, but did have a hood ornament in the shape of the ranch's brand.
The moniker "shooting brake" is used for pedigreed automobiles that have been converted to what would be termed a "station wagon" rear in less pedigreed cars. This is a 1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom I shooting brake with a rear of mahogany and oak, exhibited by the T bar W Ranch, located in Mineola, Texas, approximately 90 minutes east of Dallas.
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The moniker "shooting brake" is used for pedigreed automobiles that have been converted to what would be termed a "station wagon" rear in less pedigreed cars. This is a 1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom I shooting brake with a rear of mahogany and oak, exhibited by the T bar W Ranch, located in Mineola, Texas, approximately 90 minutes east of Dallas.
"Big Daddy" Ed Roth and the T-bucket "Tweedy Pie" are two of the foundation icons of the hot rod movement, with the Revell 1/25th scale plastic car kit apparently selling in numbers over 11 million during its extensive lifetime. With a recognition factor like that and 11 million devoted enthusiasts, what would you expect it to sell for at auction? Well it went to auction three times, selling in 2007 for $335,500, then again in 2010 where it received a high bid of $200,000 but didn't make reserve, and then again in 2011 where it sold for $176,000. Those numbers belie the true influence of the car, and it now resides in the Galpin Big Daddy Roth Collection.
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"Big Daddy" Ed Roth and the T-bucket "Tweedy Pie" are two of the foundation icons of the hot rod movement, with the Revell 1/25th scale plastic car kit apparently selling in numbers over 11 million during its extensive lifetime. With a recognition factor like that and 11 million devoted enthusiasts, what would you expect it to sell for at auction? Well it went to auction three times, selling in 2007 for $335,500, then again in 2010 where it received a high bid of $200,000 but didn't make reserve, and then again in 2011 where it sold for $176,000. Those numbers belie the true influence of the car, and it now resides in the Galpin Big Daddy Roth Collection.
The Beatnik Bandit was another Ed "Big Daddy" Roth creation, originally appearing as a sketch in a project for Rod & Custom magazine called "The Grapes of Roth"
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The Beatnik Bandit was another Ed "Big Daddy" Roth creation, originally appearing as a sketch in a project for Rod & Custom magazine called "The Grapes of Roth"
Built by Big Daddy Roth in 1964, the Orbitron was feared lost until it was found in Mexico in 2007 serving as a makeshift dumpster for an adult bookstore. Restored by Galpin Motors for its Roth Collection, the original engine and transmission required extensive saving and over 2,600 individual parts required chroming.
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Built by Big Daddy Roth in 1964, the Orbitron was feared lost until it was found in Mexico in 2007 serving as a makeshift dumpster for an adult bookstore. Restored by Galpin Motors for its Roth Collection, the original engine and transmission required extensive saving and over 2,600 individual parts required chroming.
Arturo Magni was the head of the MV Agusta Competition Department, and he oversaw all of those famous victories by Hailwood, Ubbiali, Read, Surtees, Agostini et al. Once MV Agusta closed, Arturo set up shop with his two sons building exquisite road bikes and specializing in turning MV Agusta's shaft-drive fours into chain driven performance beauties. This is one such bike, with chain drive, over 90 hp and a dry weight of 471 pounds. It won the motorcycle class at Amelia Island.
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Arturo Magni was the head of the MV Agusta Competition Department, and he oversaw all of those famous victories by Hailwood, Ubbiali, Read, Surtees, Agostini et al. Once MV Agusta closed, Arturo set up shop with his two sons building exquisite road bikes and specializing in turning MV Agusta's shaft-drive fours into chain driven performance beauties. This is one such bike, with chain drive, over 90 hp and a dry weight of 471 pounds. It won the motorcycle class at Amelia Island.
The Best in Show Concours d'Elegance Trophy was presented to a 1929 Duesenberg J/SJ Convertible
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The Best in Show Concours d'Elegance Trophy was presented to a 1929 Duesenberg J/SJ Convertible
This 1942 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS Spider was exhibited at Amelia Island by the BitOCar B&H Collection
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This 1942 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS Spider was exhibited at Amelia Island by the BitOCar B&H Collection
This 1934 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 won Best In Class for Sports Cars (Pre-War to 1950). It was delivered as a rolling chassis to the premises of Joseph Figoni (a year prior to the commencement of the celebrated partnership, Figoni et Falaschi), and an elegant cabriolet was created. Very original and drop dead gorgeous. Palm Beach, FL
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This 1934 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 won Best In Class for Sports Cars (Pre-War to 1950). It was delivered as a rolling chassis to the premises of Joseph Figoni (a year prior to the commencement of the celebrated partnership, Figoni et Falaschi), and an elegant cabriolet was created. Very original and drop dead gorgeous. Palm Beach, FL
This is indeed a rare beast, being number 5 of just 17 Kurtis Sports cars built by legendary Indianapolis race car builder Frank Curtis with the intention of breaking the class record at Bonneville which he accomplished at 142.515 mph. Indeed, a Kurtis Sports Car was the very first cover car of Motor Trend Magazine way back in 1949.
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This is indeed a rare beast, being number 5 of just 17 Kurtis Sports cars built by legendary Indianapolis race car builder Frank Curtis with the intention of breaking the class record at Bonneville which he accomplished at 142.515 mph. Indeed, a Kurtis Sports Car was the very first cover car of Motor Trend Magazine way back in 1949.
First raced in 1985, this Nissan GTP ZX-Turbo uses a modified Lola T10 chassis and a Nissan VG30 turbo motor. It was designed to be competitive on slower tracks of the IMSA GT Series. In the 1988 IMSA GT Series with Geoff Brabham driving, it took eight poles, nine wins and 10 fastest laps, giving the drivers title to Brabham. Shown by the Nissan North America Heritage Collection.
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First raced in 1985, this Nissan GTP ZX-Turbo uses a modified Lola T10 chassis and a Nissan VG30 turbo motor. It was designed to be competitive on slower tracks of the IMSA GT Series. In the 1988 IMSA GT Series with Geoff Brabham driving, it took eight poles, nine wins and 10 fastest laps, giving the drivers title to Brabham. Shown by the Nissan North America Heritage Collection.
America might be the home of the vast majority of collectible cars in the world these days, but many of the automotive participants on the lawns at Amelia Island have come a long way to be there. This very original Aston Martin DB2 was originally sold into Malaysia and spent many decades being raced there before being sold into America. It is the design directly prior to the famed DB2/4
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America might be the home of the vast majority of collectible cars in the world these days, but many of the automotive participants on the lawns at Amelia Island have come a long way to be there. This very original Aston Martin DB2 was originally sold into Malaysia and spent many decades being raced there before being sold into America. It is the design directly prior to the famed DB2/4
A Group 44 Jaguar XJR-5, this 6.3 liter, 12-cylinder 625 hp car was raced in the IMSA GTP Series in 1984 and 1985, with drivers including Bob Tullius, Doc Brundy, Chip Robinson, former motorcycle world champ Brian Redman, and Hurley Haywood. The car twice competed at le Mans.
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A Group 44 Jaguar XJR-5, this 6.3 liter, 12-cylinder 625 hp car was raced in the IMSA GTP Series in 1984 and 1985, with drivers including Bob Tullius, Doc Brundy, Chip Robinson, former motorcycle world champ Brian Redman, and Hurley Haywood. The car twice competed at le Mans.
This 1961 Fiat Abarth 1000 GT Bialbero produced just 99 bhp from its 982 cc dual overhead cam inline four-cylinder engine with two Weber 40 DCOE carburetors, but it was a triumphant result of years of development, capitalizing on tuning refinements to Fiat’s rear-engine 600 chassis, and the namesake dual-cam Bialbero cylinder head. This car was prepared as a factory team car in August 1961 and entered as #111 at the Nürburgring 500 KM on 3 September 1961, with Eberhard Mahle (of the Mahle Pistons family) and Teodoro Zeccoli qualifying for a pole-position start. The duo remained in contention almost the entire race before a faulty fuel pump forced them to retire during the final lap, though they still managed to finish in 5th. Considerably more history and photos can be found on the RM-Sothebys site where the car was acquired by current owners Don and Diane Meluzio in 2016 for $308,000
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This 1961 Fiat Abarth 1000 GT Bialbero produced just 99 bhp from its 982 cc dual overhead cam inline four-cylinder engine with two Weber 40 DCOE carburetors, but it was a triumphant result of years of development, capitalizing on tuning refinements to Fiat’s rear-engine 600 chassis, and the namesake dual-cam Bialbero cylinder head.  This car was prepared as a factory team car in August 1961 and entered as #111 at the Nürburgring 500 KM on 3 September 1961, with Eberhard Mahle (of the Mahle Pistons family) and Teodoro Zeccoli qualifying for a pole-position start. The duo remained in contention almost the entire race before a faulty fuel pump forced them to retire during the final lap, though they still managed to finish in 5th. Considerably more history and photos can be found on the RM-Sothebys site where the car was acquired by current owners Don and Diane Meluzio in 2016 for $308,000
This Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa won its NART class at the Amelia Island Concours, just as it did at its first start 57 years ago, when it finished first at the 1961 24 Hours of Le Mans. It had Phil Hill and Olivier Gendebien behind the wheel, and there was no cover on those six dual throat Webers to prevent it devouring small children.
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This Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa won its NART class at the Amelia Island Concours, just as it did at its first start 57 years ago, when it finished first at the 1961 24 Hours of Le Mans. It had Phil Hill and Olivier Gendebien behind the wheel, and there was no cover on those six dual throat Webers to prevent it devouring small children.
The winner in the Amelia Island Concours d' Elegance went to this stunning polished alloy 1926 Bugatti T39A from the North Collection in the Prewar Race Cars class! The T39A was basically a 1.5 liter version of the world's most successful racing car, the Bugatti T35, so it was only ever used in events where the capacity suited. The most famous victory for the T39A was the 1926 French Grand Prix in the hands of Jules Goux, one of Peugeot's famous pre-WWI "Charlatans." This car started the 1926 French Grand Prix,but failed to finish, with its best in-period race result being fifth in the 1926 Grand Prix of Europe, which was also won by Goux in a T39A Bugatti. Bugatti won the world manufacturers championship in 1926 thanks to the Bugatti T39A.
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The winner in the Amelia Island Concours d' Elegance went to this stunning polished alloy 1926 Bugatti T39A from the North Collection in the Prewar Race Cars class! The T39A was basically a 1.5 liter version of the world's most successful racing car, the Bugatti T35, so it was only ever used in events where the capacity suited. The most famous victory for the T39A was the 1926 French Grand Prix in the hands of Jules Goux, one of Peugeot's famous pre-WWI "Charlatans." This car started the 1926 French Grand Prix,but failed to finish, with its best in-period race result being fifth in the 1926 Grand Prix of Europe, which was also won by Goux in a T39A Bugatti.  Bugatti won the world manufacturers championship in 1926 thanks to the Bugatti T39A.
This 1938 Mercedes-Benz 320 Cabriolet B was the winner of the Mercedes-Benz (Pre 1947)Class at Amelia Island. The car was built in Mercedes-Benz' Mannheim plant, which is still in operation 80 years later, and remarkably still has the original jack mounted on the firewall and the original tools in the tool kit. This particular car has an additional "Autobahn Gear" which is operated by a separate floor-mounted gearshift. The current custodians are Mary and Ted Stahl of Chesterfield, MI.
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This 1938 Mercedes-Benz 320 Cabriolet B was the winner of the Mercedes-Benz (Pre 1947)Class at Amelia Island. The car was built in Mercedes-Benz' Mannheim plant, which is still in operation 80 years later, and remarkably still has the original jack mounted on the firewall and the original tools in the tool kit. This particular car has an additional "Autobahn Gear"  which is operated by a separate floor-mounted gearshift. The current custodians are Mary and Ted Stahl of Chesterfield, MI.
The Jaguar E-Type was one of the featured cars at Amelia Island in 2018 and this has to be close to the most beautiful specimen of the car which Enzo Ferrari dubbed "the most beautiful car in the world." The polished aluminum exterior is only one of the highlights of this 1963 fixed head coupe, with the car race prepared by the Jaguar factory, then upgraded in 1966 by Gordon Brown of Red Rose Racing, including the fitting of a 4.2 liter engine. Still capable of winning but ... almost too beautiful to race. Thoroughbred in every respect.
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The Jaguar E-Type was one of the featured cars at Amelia Island in 2018 and this has to be close to the most beautiful specimen of the car which Enzo Ferrari dubbed "the most beautiful car in the world." The polished aluminum exterior is only one of the highlights of this 1963 fixed head coupe, with the car race prepared by the Jaguar factory, then upgraded in 1966 by Gordon Brown of Red Rose Racing, including the fitting of a 4.2 liter engine. Still capable of winning but ... almost too beautiful to race. Thoroughbred in every respect.
This Alpine A110 M64 Prototype twice ran the 24 Hours of Le Mans, winning its class and the Index of Thermal Efficiency at its 1964 debut. To win the Index of Thermal Efficiency Award, drivers Roger de Lagenetse and Henry Morrogh covered 2,436 miles at an average speed of 101 mph while averaging 21 miles per gallon. The four cylinder 1,049cc engine develops 115 hp, proving that you can indeed do more with less. At the end of the 1965 season, the car was refitted with M65 bodywork and used to develop the next generation version that became the successful Alpine A210.
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This Alpine A110 M64 Prototype twice ran the 24 Hours of Le Mans, winning its class and the Index of Thermal Efficiency at its 1964 debut. To win the Index of Thermal Efficiency Award, drivers Roger de Lagenetse and Henry Morrogh covered 2,436 miles at an average speed of 101 mph while averaging 21 miles per gallon. The four cylinder 1,049cc engine develops 115 hp, proving that you can indeed do more with less. At the end of the 1965 season, the car was refitted with M65 bodywork and used to develop the next generation version that became the successful Alpine A210.
Twice winner of the World Formula One drivers Championship and two time Indianapolis 500 winner Emerson Fittipaldi was the guest of honor at Amelia Island, thrilling the crowds with an array of machinery he raced during his illustrious career. Here Emerson is pictured in the 1974 McLaren M23 in which he gave the now stellar marque its first of many drivers and constructors titles.
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Twice winner of the World Formula One drivers Championship and two time Indianapolis 500 winner Emerson Fittipaldi was the guest of honor at Amelia Island, thrilling the crowds with an array of machinery he raced during his illustrious career. Here Emerson is pictured in the 1974 McLaren M23 in which he gave the now stellar marque its first of many drivers and constructors titles.
Twice winner of the World Formula One drivers Championship and two time Indianapolis 500 winner Emerson Fittipaldi was the guest of honor at Amelia Island, thrilling the crowds with an array of machinery he raced during his illustrious career. Here Emerson is pictured in the 1974 McLaren M23 in which he gave the now stellar marque its first of many drivers and constructors titles.
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Twice winner of the World Formula One drivers Championship and two time Indianapolis 500 winner Emerson Fittipaldi was the guest of honor at Amelia Island, thrilling the crowds with an array of machinery he raced during his illustrious career. Here Emerson is pictured in the 1974 McLaren M23 in which he gave the now stellar marque its first of many drivers and constructors titles.
Harley Earl and the Buick Y-Job of 1938, the first American-made concept car. The Buick Y-Job designed by Harley Earl in 1938 is often claimed to be the world's first concept car, though Rolls-Royce had been building fully functioning "experimental vehicles" since 1919, when the first such vehicle (1EX) was constructed, predating the Y-Job by almost two decades. The Buick Y-Job (pictured) did however, get the ball rolling in America, and one of the direct consequences of Harley Earl's rolling art deco masterpiece was the 1941 Chrysler Thunderbolt concept car that was exhibited from the Richard H Driehaus Collection at Amelia Island.
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Harley Earl and the Buick Y-Job of 1938, the first American-made concept car. The Buick Y-Job designed by Harley Earl in 1938 is often claimed to be the world's first concept car, though Rolls-Royce had been building fully functioning "experimental vehicles" since 1919, when the first such vehicle (1EX) was constructed, predating the Y-Job by almost two decades. The Buick Y-Job (pictured) did however, get the ball rolling in America, and one of the direct consequences of Harley Earl's rolling art deco masterpiece was the 1941 Chrysler Thunderbolt concept car that was exhibited from the Richard H Driehaus Collection at Amelia Island.
History in the flesh. This car was built for the 1967 National Off-Road Racing Association's 849-mile race dubbed the Mexican 1000. The race would go down in history as the first Baja 1000. Built by Vic Hickey with help from GM, this purpose-built racing buggy used a 450-hp 350 cubic-inch V8 and GM Hydra-Matic auto, 4-wheel discs, front and rear independent Torsion Bar Suspension and only got around 25 percent of the distance. Then actor/racer Steve McQueen and Bud Ekins bought it and raced it and two years later, it won. The car was purchased two years ago at Pebble Beach by film director/car aficianado James Glickenhaus (Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus) who made it street legal. Nice wheels, Mr Glickenhaus!!!
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History in the flesh. This car was built for the 1967 National Off-Road Racing Association's 849-mile race dubbed the Mexican 1000. The race would go down in history as the first Baja 1000. Built by Vic Hickey with help from GM, this purpose-built racing buggy used a 450-hp 350 cubic-inch V8 and GM Hydra-Matic auto, 4-wheel discs, front and rear independent Torsion Bar Suspension and only got around 25 percent of the distance. Then actor/racer Steve McQueen and Bud Ekins bought it and raced it and two years later, it won. The car was purchased two years ago at Pebble Beach by film director/car aficianado James Glickenhaus (Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus) who made it street legal. Nice wheels, Mr Glickenhaus!!!
If you don't remember the car chase scene in the Steve McQueen film Bullitt, then you probably won't be reading this article this deep. The car has been found and appeared at Amelia Island courtesy of Hagerty Insurance. The story of rediscovering the car is well told in this Larry Webster piece.
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If you don't remember the car chase scene in the Steve McQueen film Bullitt, then you probably won't be reading this article this deep. The car has been found and appeared at Amelia Island courtesy of Hagerty Insurance. The story of rediscovering the car is well told in this Larry Webster piece.
If you don't remember the car chase scene in the Steve McQueen film Bullitt, then you probably won't be reading this article this deep. The car has been found and appeared at Amelia Island courtesy of Hagerty Insurance. The story of rediscovering the car is well told in this Larry Webster piece.
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If you don't remember the car chase scene in the Steve McQueen film Bullitt, then you probably won't be reading this article this deep. The car has been found and appeared at Amelia Island courtesy of Hagerty Insurance. The story of rediscovering the car is well told in this Larry Webster piece.
The Best in Show Concours d'Elegance Trophy was presented to a 1929 Duesenberg J/SJ Convertible and the Best in Show Concours de Sport Trophy went to a 1963 Ferrari 250/275P
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The Best in Show Concours d'Elegance Trophy was presented to a 1929 Duesenberg J/SJ Convertible and the Best in Show Concours de Sport Trophy went to a 1963 Ferrari 250/275P
Arturo Magni was the head of the MV Agusta Competition Department, and he oversaw all of those famous victories by Hailwood, Ubbiali, Read, Surtees, Agostini et al. Once MV Agusta closed, Arturo set up shop with his two sons building exquisite road bikes and specializing in turning MV Agusta's shaft-drive fours into chain driven performance beauties. This is one such bike, with chain drive, over 90 hp and a dry weight of 471 pounds. It won the motorcycle class at Amelia Island.
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Arturo Magni was the head of the MV Agusta Competition Department, and he oversaw all of those famous victories by Hailwood, Ubbiali, Read, Surtees, Agostini et al. Once MV Agusta closed, Arturo set up shop with his two sons building exquisite road bikes and specializing in turning MV Agusta's shaft-drive fours into chain driven performance beauties. This is one such bike, with chain drive, over 90 hp and a dry weight of 471 pounds. It won the motorcycle class at Amelia Island.
Arturo Magni was the head of the MV Agusta Competition Department, and he oversaw all of those famous victories by Hailwood, Ubbiali, Read, Surtees, Agostini et al. Once MV Agusta closed, Arturo set up shop with his two sons building exquisite road bikes and specializing in turning MV Agusta's shaft-drive fours into chain driven performance beauties. This is one such bike, with chain drive, over 90 hp and a dry weight of 471 pounds. It won the motorcycle class at Amelia Island.
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Arturo Magni was the head of the MV Agusta Competition Department, and he oversaw all of those famous victories by Hailwood, Ubbiali, Read, Surtees, Agostini et al. Once MV Agusta closed, Arturo set up shop with his two sons building exquisite road bikes and specializing in turning MV Agusta's shaft-drive fours into chain driven performance beauties. This is one such bike, with chain drive, over 90 hp and a dry weight of 471 pounds. It won the motorcycle class at Amelia Island.
Arturo Magni was the head of the MV Agusta Competition Department, and he oversaw all of those famous victories by Hailwood, Ubbiali, Read, Surtees, Agostini et al. Once MV Agusta closed, Arturo set up shop with his two sons building exquisite road bikes and specializing in turning MV Agusta's shaft-drive fours into chain driven performance beauties. This is one such bike, with chain drive, over 90 hp and a dry weight of 471 pounds. It won the motorcycle class at Amelia Island.
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Arturo Magni was the head of the MV Agusta Competition Department, and he oversaw all of those famous victories by Hailwood, Ubbiali, Read, Surtees, Agostini et al. Once MV Agusta closed, Arturo set up shop with his two sons building exquisite road bikes and specializing in turning MV Agusta's shaft-drive fours into chain driven performance beauties. This is one such bike, with chain drive, over 90 hp and a dry weight of 471 pounds. It won the motorcycle class at Amelia Island.
"Big Daddy" Ed Roth and the T-bucket "Tweedy Pie" are two of the foundation icons of the hot rod movement, with the Revell 1/25th scale plastic car kit apparently selling in numbers over 11 million during its extensive lifetime. With a recognition factor like that and 11 million devoted enthusiasts, what would you expect it to sell for at auction? Well it went to auction three times, selling in 2007 for $335,500, then again in 2010 where it received a high bid of $200,000 but didn't make reserve, and then again in 2011 where it sold for $176,000. Those numbers belie the true influence of the car, and it now resides in the Galpin Big Daddy Roth Collection.
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"Big Daddy" Ed Roth and the T-bucket "Tweedy Pie" are two of the foundation icons of the hot rod movement, with the Revell 1/25th scale plastic car kit apparently selling in numbers over 11 million during its extensive lifetime. With a recognition factor like that and 11 million devoted enthusiasts, what would you expect it to sell for at auction? Well it went to auction three times, selling in 2007 for $335,500, then again in 2010 where it received a high bid of $200,000 but didn't make reserve, and then again in 2011 where it sold for $176,000. Those numbers belie the true influence of the car, and it now resides in the Galpin Big Daddy Roth Collection.
This vehicle was built on a 1949 Buick Roadmaster Dyna Flow frame for seven-term US Congressman, Richard M Kleberg Snr, the owner of King Ranch, the largest ranch in Texas (1,289 square miles) and an avid outdoorsman. Kleberg was a go-getter of apex predator status, and when he decided he wanted a hunting car, he went to the best known automobile designer in the world, Harley Earl. Earl came up with El Kineño, a custom-designed 1949 Buick convertible with two spare tires, six shotgun sheaths, its own winch, a two-way radio, heavy-duty suspension and cooling system ... the original car made the cover of popular Science magazine (above left), and the full story can be found at Justacarguy. Just for the record, King Ranch isn't nearly the largest ranch in the world. That title is held by the Anna Creek Station in Australia which makes up 1.6 percent of the Australian continent's total land area - seven times the size of King Ranch and roughly the size of Ireland.
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This vehicle was built on a 1949 Buick Roadmaster Dyna Flow frame for seven-term US Congressman, Richard M Kleberg Snr, the owner of King Ranch, the largest ranch in Texas (1,289 square miles) and an avid outdoorsman. Kleberg was a go-getter of apex predator status, and when he decided he wanted a hunting car, he went to the best known automobile designer in the world, Harley Earl. Earl came up with El Kineño, a custom-designed 1949 Buick convertible with two spare tires, six shotgun sheaths, its own winch, a two-way radio, heavy-duty suspension and cooling system ... the original car made the cover of popular Science magazine (above left), and the full story can be found at Justacarguy. Just for the record, King Ranch isn't nearly the largest ranch in the world. That title is held by the Anna Creek Station in Australia which makes up 1.6 percent of the Australian continent's total land area - seven times the size of King Ranch and roughly the size of Ireland.
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The Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance is one of the world's best known and most highly regarded, and such is its gravitas that in just 23 years, it has attracted one of the "big three" largest Tier-1 classic car auction hubs in the world to complement the central attraction. Every one of the 300 cars and motorcycles that made it onto the lawns of the 10th and 18th fairways of Amelia Island this year has a story to tell, and in the end we chose just 20 of the best to focus upon.

The quality of the organisation behind the event was challenged for a second year in a row this year when an inclement weather forecast caused the whole event to be brought forward by 24 hours. Like last year, the execution of the rescheduled event was flawless, everyone knew what was going on ... congrats to all involved.

A 1929 Duesenberg J/SJ Convertible and a 1963 Ferrari 250/275P won the two main Best In Show honors on Saturday, March 10, at the 23rd annual Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance.

Best in Show

The Best in Show Concours d'Elegance Trophy was presented to a 1929 Duesenberg J/SJ Convertible and the Best in Show Concours de Sport Trophy went to a 1963 Ferrari 250/275P
The Best in Show Concours d'Elegance Trophy was presented to a 1929 Duesenberg J/SJ Convertible and the Best in Show Concours de Sport Trophy went to a 1963 Ferrari 250/275P

The Best in Show Concours d'Elegance Trophy was presented to a 1929 Duesenberg J/SJ Convertible owned by banker Harry Yeaggy from Cincinnati, Ohio. The Duesenberg J/SJ Convertible has Murphy coachwork restyled in period by Bohman & Schwartz. One of the early owners of this car was Edward Beale McLean, husband of Evalyn Walsh McLean, the last private owner of the 45-carat (9.0 g) Hope Diamond and whose family owned The Washington Post.

The Best in Show Concours d'Elegance Trophy was presented to a 1929 Duesenberg J/SJ Convertible
The Best in Show Concours d'Elegance Trophy was presented to a 1929 Duesenberg J/SJ Convertible

Yeaggy is no stranger to cars of this ilk, having one of the finest automobile collections in America. The collection includes a 1958 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa, the 1964 Aston Martin DB5 used in the James Bond films Goldfinger and Casino Royale, a 1963 Corvette Grand Sport (#001 of 5) which he purchased from Rob Walton of Walmart in 2002 for US$4.2 million, a 1967 Ferrari 412P, the $11,000,000 1968 lightweight Ford GT40 used in the filming of the Steve McQueen film Le Mans (#32 on our all-time list of most expensive cars), the legendary Mormon Meteor, a 1998 McLaren F1 'LM-Specification' that sold for $13,750,000 in 2015 (#20 on our all-time list of most expensive cars) ... and another 40 or so cars of similar rarity and cred.

The Best in Show Concours de Sport Trophy went to a 1963 Ferrari 250/275P from the JSL Motorsports Collection in Redwood City, California, a car with a renowned racing history. The Ferrari won the 1963 ADAC Nurburgring 1,000 kilometers with John Surtees and Willy Mairesse driving and the 1964 Sebring 12 Hours with Mike Parkes and Umberto Maglioli driving. It also finished second at the 1963 Sebring 12 Hours and won the first race at Mont Tremblant as a NART entry with Pedro Rodriguez driving. The car was campaigned by NART in 1964 and 1965.

Emerson Fittipaldi and the first McLaren Formula One Championship-winning car - the 1974 McLaren M23

Twice winner of the World Formula One drivers Championship and two time Indianapolis 500 winner Emerson Fittipaldi was the guest of honor at Amelia Island, thrilling the crowds with an array of machinery he raced during his illustrious career. Here Emerson is pictured in the 1974 McLaren M23 in which he gave the now stellar marque its first of many drivers and constructors titles.
Twice winner of the World Formula One drivers Championship and two time Indianapolis 500 winner Emerson Fittipaldi was the guest of honor at Amelia Island, thrilling the crowds with an array of machinery he raced during his illustrious career. Here Emerson is pictured in the 1974 McLaren M23 in which he gave the now stellar marque its first of many drivers and constructors titles.

Twice winner of the World Formula One drivers Championship and two time Indianapolis 500 winner Emerson Fittipaldi was the guest of honor at this year's Amelia Island Concours, thrilling the crowds with an array of machinery he raced during his illustrious career. Here Emerson is pictured in the 1974 McLaren M23 in which he gave the now stellar marque its first of many drivers and constructors titles.

Other Fittipaldi race cars among the 300-plus cars on display included a 1970 Lotus 72/5, 1974 Porsche 911 RSR IROC and 1977 Chevrolet IROC Camaro Z28.

Historic Baja 1000-winning road car

History in the flesh. This car was built for the 1967 National Off-Road Racing Association's 849-mile race dubbed the Mexican 1000. The race would go down in history as the first Baja 1000. Built by Vic Hickey with help from GM, this purpose-built racing buggy used a 450-hp 350 cubic-inch V8 and GM Hydra-Matic auto, 4-wheel discs, front and rear independent Torsion Bar Suspension and only got around 25 percent of the distance. Then actor/racer Steve McQueen and Bud Ekins bought it and raced it and two years later, it won. The car was purchased two years ago at Pebble Beach by film director/car aficianado James Glickenhaus (Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus) who made it street legal. Nice wheels, Mr Glickenhaus!!!
History in the flesh. This car was built for the 1967 National Off-Road Racing Association's 849-mile race dubbed the Mexican 1000. The race would go down in history as the first Baja 1000. Built by Vic Hickey with help from GM, this purpose-built racing buggy used a 450-hp 350 cubic-inch V8 and GM Hydra-Matic auto, 4-wheel discs, front and rear independent Torsion Bar Suspension and only got around 25 percent of the distance. Then actor/racer Steve McQueen and Bud Ekins bought it and raced it and two years later, it won. The car was purchased two years ago at Pebble Beach by film director/car aficianado James Glickenhaus (Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus) who made it street legal. Nice wheels, Mr Glickenhaus!!!

This car was built for the 1967 National Off-Road Racing Association's 849-mile race dubbed the Mexican 1000. The race would go down in history as the first Baja 1000.

Built by Vic Hickey with help from GM, this purpose-built racing buggy used a 450-hp 350 cubic-inch V8 and GM Hydra-Matic auto, 4-wheel discs, front and rear independent Torsion Bar Suspension and only got around 25 percent of the distance before the transmission exploded.

Then actor/racer/naughty boy Steve McQueen and stuntman/racer Bud Ekins bought it together and raced it and had a ball doing so with Ekins racing it to a win in the Baja 1000 two years later. The car was purchased two years ago at Pebble Beach by film director/car aficionado James Glickenhaus (of Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus) who made it street legal. Nice wheels, Mr Glickenhaus!!!

Ninth oldest Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost from 2017 Round Britain Tour

Having too much fun, Denise Dolan and the ninth oldest extant Silver Ghost, a 1908 model that was discovered in 1958 still working as a tow truck in a junk yard. The car has now been restored and completed the "Round Britain Tour" in June 2017, clocking up 2,900 road miles last year. The Round Britain Tour was created in celebration of the 110th Anniversary of the achievements of the original Silver Ghost AX201 in the Scottish Trails and Endurance Run.
Having too much fun, Denise Dolan and the ninth oldest extant Silver Ghost, a 1908 model that was discovered in 1958 still working as a tow truck in a junk yard. The car has now been restored and completed the "Round Britain Tour" in June 2017, clocking up 2,900 road miles last year. The Round Britain Tour was created in  celebration of the 110th Anniversary of the achievements of the original Silver Ghost AX201 in the Scottish Trails and Endurance Run.

Having too much fun, Denise Dolan and the ninth oldest extant Silver Ghost, a 1908 model that was discovered in 1958 still working as a tow truck in a junk yard. The car has now been restored and completed the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts Club "Round Britain Tour" in June 2017, clocking up 2,900 road miles last year. The Round Britain Tour was created in celebration of the 110th Anniversary of the achievements of the original Silver Ghost AX201 in the Scottish Trails and Endurance Run.

Round Britain Tour 2017 of Rolls royce

Rolls-Royce Balloon Car

This 1911 Rolls-Royce Landaulet by Barker was sold new to Mrs Lucile Carter. Apart from being wealthy enough to purchase one of the most desirable cars on Planet Earth at the time, Mrs Carter lucked out again the next year when she was one of the 2,224 aboard the Titanic on April 15, 1912, and lived to tell the tale. The car eventually made its way to America, and was purchased by Rolls-Royce aficionado Millard Newman. In 1970, Newman built two very accurate replicas of Charles Rolls’ original balloon car - a car designed to carry the basket for the hot air balloons raced by the founder of the famous marque. This car is one of those replicas, the other having sold for $1,430,000 at Gooding & Co in 2007, and again for $484,000 at RM-Sotheby's Monterey sale in 2011. Lots of detail from that auction description is relevant to this car.
This 1911 Rolls-Royce Landaulet by Barker was sold new to Mrs Lucile Carter. Apart from being wealthy enough to purchase one of the most desirable cars on Planet Earth at the time, Mrs Carter lucked out again the next year when she was one of the 2,224 aboard the  Titanic on April 15, 1912, and lived to tell the tale. The car eventually made its way to America, and was purchased by Rolls-Royce aficionado Millard Newman. In 1970, Newman built two very accurate replicas of Charles Rolls’ original balloon car - a car designed to carry the basket for the hot air  balloons raced by the founder of the famous marque. This car is one of those replicas, the other having sold for $1,430,000 at Gooding & Co in 2007, and again for $484,000 at RM-Sotheby's Monterey sale in 2011. Lots of detail from that auction description is relevant to this car.

This 1911 Rolls-Royce Landaulet by Barker was sold new to Mrs Lucile Carter. Apart from being wealthy enough to purchase one of the most desirable cars on Earth 107 years ago, Mrs Carter lucked out again the next year when she was one of the 2,224 souls on board the Titanic on April 15, 1912, when it struck an iceberg and sank. She was lucky because she lived to tell the tale, when more than 1,500 didn't.

The car eventually made its way to America, and was purchased by Rolls-Royce aficionado Millard Newman. In 1970, Newman built two very accurate replicas of Charles Rolls' original balloon car, a car designed to carry the basket for the hot air balloons raced by the founder of the famous marque.

This car is one of those replicas, the other having sold for $1,430,000 at Gooding & Co in 2007, and again for $484,000 at RM-Sotheby's Monterey sale in 2011. We have no explanation for the car having dropped a million dollars in value (any ideas out there?). Much of the information in the RM-Sothebys auction description is relevant to this car.

1941 Chrysler Thunderbolt - one of the first "concept cars"

The Thunderbolt concept was designed by Alex Tremulis (later to design the Tucker Torpedo, Cord 810 and 812, all of which shows in the Thunderbolt in our opinion) and Ralph Roberts from coachbuilders LeBaron. The futuristic design includes, as you can see above, retractable headlights and it was also the very first convertible with a fully-retractable, electrically-operated hard top, which was designed, developed and patented by Ralph Roberts. The Thunderbolt is powered by a 140 hp, 323.5 ci, Spitfire straight eight and was named after Captain George Eyston's car that ran a new land speed record of 357.53 mph at Bonneville in 1938. The Thunderbolt has push-button door switches inside and out and was the first car to use back-lit, Lucite-edged illuminated gauges.This car is one of only four surviving Thunderbolts, and as far as we can find, the only one to ever reach public auction fetched $935,000 at RM-Sotheby's 2011 Monterey sale.
The Thunderbolt concept was designed by Alex Tremulis (later to design the Tucker Torpedo, Cord 810 and 812, all of which shows in the Thunderbolt in our opinion) and Ralph Roberts from coachbuilders LeBaron. The futuristic design includes, as you can see above, retractable headlights and it was also the very first convertible with a fully-retractable, electrically-operated hard top, which was designed, developed and patented by Ralph Roberts. The Thunderbolt is powered by a 140 hp, 323.5 ci, Spitfire straight eight and was named after Captain George Eyston's car that ran a new land speed record of 357.53 mph at Bonneville in 1938. The Thunderbolt has push-button door switches inside and out and was the first car to use back-lit, Lucite-edged illuminated gauges.This car is one of only four surviving Thunderbolts, and as far as we can find, the only one to ever reach public auction fetched $935,000 at RM-Sotheby's 2011 Monterey sale.

The Buick Y-Job designed by Harley Earl in 1938 is often claimed to be the world's first concept car, though Rolls-Royce had been building fully functioning "experimental vehicles" since 1919, when the first such vehicle (1EX) was constructed, predating the Y-Job by almost two decades.

The Buick Y-Job (below) did however, get the ball rolling in America, and one of the direct consequences of Harley Earl's rolling art deco masterpiece was the 1941 Chrysler Thunderbolt concept car above, exhibited from the Richard H Driehaus Collection at Amelia Island.

Harley Earl and the Buick Y-Job of 1938, the first American-made concept car. The Buick Y-Job designed by Harley Earl in 1938 is often claimed to be the world's first concept car, though Rolls-Royce had been building fully functioning "experimental vehicles" since 1919, when the first such vehicle (1EX) was constructed, predating the Y-Job by almost two decades. The Buick Y-Job (pictured) did however, get the ball rolling in America, and one of the direct consequences of Harley Earl's rolling art deco masterpiece was the 1941 Chrysler Thunderbolt concept car that was exhibited from the Richard H Driehaus Collection at Amelia Island.
Harley Earl and the Buick Y-Job of 1938, the first American-made concept car. The Buick Y-Job designed by Harley Earl in 1938 is often claimed to be the world's first concept car, though Rolls-Royce had been building fully functioning "experimental vehicles" since 1919, when the first such vehicle (1EX) was constructed, predating the Y-Job by almost two decades. The Buick Y-Job (pictured) did however, get the ball rolling in America, and one of the direct consequences of Harley Earl's rolling art deco masterpiece was the 1941 Chrysler Thunderbolt concept car that was exhibited from the Richard H Driehaus Collection at Amelia Island.

The Thunderbolt concept was designed by Alex Tremulis (later to design the Tucker Torpedo, Cord 810 and 812, all of which shows in the Thunderbolt, in our opinion) and Ralph Roberts from coachbuilders LeBaron.

The futuristic design includes, as you can see above, retractable headlights and it was also the very first convertible with a fully-retractable, electrically-operated hard top, which was designed, developed and patented by Ralph Roberts. The Thunderbolt is powered by a 140 hp, 323.5 ci, Spitfire straight eight and was named after Captain George Eyston's car that ran a new land speed record of 357.53 mph at Bonneville in 1938. The Thunderbolt has push-button door switches inside and out and was the first car to use back-lit, Lucite-edged illuminated gauges.

This car is one of only four surviving Thunderbolts, and as far as we can find, the only one to ever reach public auction fetched $935,000 at RM-Sotheby's 2011 Monterey sale.

The original Bullitt chase car resurfaces

If you don't remember the car chase scene in the Steve McQueen film Bullitt, then you probably won't be reading this article this deep. The car has been found and appeared at Amelia Island courtesy of Hagerty Insurance. The story of rediscovering the car is well told in this Larry Webster piece.
If you don't remember the car chase scene in the Steve McQueen film Bullitt, then you probably won't be reading this article this deep. The car has been found and appeared at Amelia Island courtesy of Hagerty Insurance. The story of rediscovering the car is well told in this Larry Webster piece.

If you don't remember the car chase scene in the Steve McQueen film Bullitt, then you probably won't be reading this article this deep. The car has been found and appeared at Amelia Island courtesy of Hagerty Insurance. The story of rediscovering the car is well told in this Larry Webster piece.

Bullitt (1968) - San Francisco Car Chase Scene (4/10) | Movieclips

And for those who want to tickle their adrenals one more time ... don't forget to turn it up loud and put the headphones on ... and if you are wondering how they managed to do this stuff without it appearing lame, there's an excellent article in Jalopnik by Marc Myers on Loren Janes, the fabled Hollywood stuntman and McQueen double, and how they did the stunts from Bullitt here (and if you're into jazz, that's Marc's day gig).

1926 Bugatti T39a

The winner in the Amelia Island Concours d' Elegance went to this stunning polished alloy 1926 Bugatti T39A from the North Collection in the Prewar Race Cars class! The T39A was basically a 1.5 liter version of the world's most successful racing car, the Bugatti T35, so it was only ever used in events where the capacity suited. The most famous victory for the T39A was the 1926 French Grand Prix in the hands of Jules Goux, one of Peugeot's famous pre-WWI "Charlatans." This car started the 1926 French Grand Prix,but failed to finish, with its best in-period race result being fifth in the 1926 Grand Prix of Europe, which was also won by Goux in a T39A Bugatti. Bugatti won the world manufacturers championship in 1926 thanks to the Bugatti T39A.
The winner in the Amelia Island Concours d' Elegance went to this stunning polished alloy 1926 Bugatti T39A from the North Collection in the Prewar Race Cars class! The T39A was basically a 1.5 liter version of the world's most successful racing car, the Bugatti T35, so it was only ever used in events where the capacity suited. The most famous victory for the T39A was the 1926 French Grand Prix in the hands of Jules Goux, one of Peugeot's famous pre-WWI "Charlatans." This car started the 1926 French Grand Prix,but failed to finish, with its best in-period race result being fifth in the 1926 Grand Prix of Europe, which was also won by Goux in a T39A Bugatti.  Bugatti won the world manufacturers championship in 1926 thanks to the Bugatti T39A.

The winner in the Amelia Island Concours d' Elegance went to this stunning polished alloy 1926 Bugatti T39A from the North Collection in the Prewar Race Cars class. The T39A was basically a 1.5 liter version of the world's most successful racing car, the Bugatti T35, so it was only ever used in events where the capacity suited.

The most famous victory for the T39A was the 1926 French Grand Prix in the hands of Jules Goux, one of Peugeot's famous pre-WWI "Charlatans." This car started the 1926 French Grand Prix, but failed to finish, with its best in-period race result being fifth in the 1926 Grand Prix of Europe, which was also won by Goux in a T39A Bugatti. Bugatti won the World Grand Prix Manufacturers Championship in 1926 thanks to the Bugatti T39A.

Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa

This Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa won its NART class at the Amelia Island Concours, just as it did at its first start 57 years ago, when it finished first at the 1961 24 Hours of Le Mans. It had Phil Hill and Olivier Gendebien behind the wheel, and there was no cover on those six dual throat Webers to prevent it devouring small children.
This Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa won its NART class at the Amelia Island Concours, just as it did at its first start 57 years ago, when it finished first at the 1961 24 Hours of Le Mans. It had Phil Hill and Olivier Gendebien behind the wheel, and there was no cover on those six dual throat Webers to prevent it devouring small children.

This Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa won its NART class at the Amelia Island Concours, just as it did at its first start 57 years ago, when it finished first at the 1961 24 Hours of Le Mans. It had Phil Hill and Olivier Gendebien behind the wheel, and there was no cover on those six dual throat Webers to prevent it devouring small children.

The car is one of just thirty-four 250 Testa Rossas built between 1956 through 1961, two of which were the most valuable car in the world from 2009 to 2011 at $12.1 million, and from 2011 to 2013 at $16.4 million. The Testa Rossa is considered to be the next most valuable Ferrari model behind the 250 GTO.

1938 Mercedes-Benz 320 Cabriolet B

This 1938 Mercedes-Benz 320 Cabriolet B was the winner of the Mercedes-Benz (Pre 1947)Class at Amelia Island. The car was built in Mercedes-Benz' Mannheim plant, which is still in operation 80 years later, and remarkably still has the original jack mounted on the firewall and the original tools in the tool kit. This particular car has an additional "Autobahn Gear" which is operated by a separate floor-mounted gearshift. The current custodians are Mary and Ted Stahl of Chesterfield, MI.
This 1938 Mercedes-Benz 320 Cabriolet B was the winner of the Mercedes-Benz (Pre 1947)Class at Amelia Island. The car was built in Mercedes-Benz' Mannheim plant, which is still in operation 80 years later, and remarkably still has the original jack mounted on the firewall and the original tools in the tool kit. This particular car has an additional "Autobahn Gear"  which is operated by a separate floor-mounted gearshift. The current custodians are Mary and Ted Stahl of Chesterfield, MI.

This 1938 Mercedes-Benz 320 Cabriolet B was the winner of the Mercedes-Benz (pre 1947) Class at Amelia Island. The car was built in Mercedes-Benz's Mannheim plant, which is still in operation 80 years later.

The car is extraordinary, with not just matching numbers, but it still has the original jack mounted on the firewall and the original tools in the tool kit. This particular car has an additional "Autobahn Gear" which is operated by a separate floor-mounted gearshift. The current custodians are Mary and Ted Stahl of Chesterfield, MI.

1,049cc | 24 hours | 101 mph | 2,436 miles | 21 miles per gallon

This Alpine A110 M64 Prototype twice ran the 24 Hours of Le Mans, winning its class and the Index of Thermal Efficiency at its 1964 debut. To win the Index of Thermal Efficiency Award, drivers Roger de Lagenetse and Henry Morrogh covered 2,436 miles at an average speed of 101 mph while averaging 21 miles per gallon. The four cylinder 1,049cc engine develops 115 hp, proving that you can indeed do more with less. At the end of the 1965 season, the car was refitted with M65 bodywork and used to develop the next generation version that became the successful Alpine A210.
This Alpine A110 M64 Prototype twice ran the 24 Hours of Le Mans, winning its class and the Index of Thermal Efficiency at its 1964 debut. To win the Index of Thermal Efficiency Award, drivers Roger de Lagenetse and Henry Morrogh covered 2,436 miles at an average speed of 101 mph while averaging 21 miles per gallon. The four cylinder 1,049cc engine develops 115 hp, proving that you can indeed do more with less. At the end of the 1965 season, the car was refitted with M65 bodywork and used to develop the next generation version that became the successful Alpine A210.

This Alpine A110 M64 Prototype twice ran the 24 Hours of Le Mans, winning its class and the Index of Thermal Efficiency at its 1964 debut. To win the Index of Thermal Efficiency Award, drivers Roger de Lagenetse and Henry Morrogh covered 2,436 miles at an average speed of 101 mph while averaging 21 miles per gallon.

The four cylinder 1049cc engine develops 115 hp, proving that you can indeed do more with less. At the end of the 1965 season, the car was refitted with M65 bodywork and used to develop the next generation version that became the successful Alpine A210.

1948 Saoutchik Cadillac Series 62 Cabriolet

It is a great irony that the two best known and flamboyant French coachbuilders from the art deco era of coachbuilding were not French. Giuseppe Figoni from Figoni et Falaschi was Italian, and Jacques Saoutchik was born Iakov Savtchuk in Russia. This Cadillac is one of Saoutchik's most extravagant designs, being one of just two Cadillacs bodied by the flamboyant coachbuilder. If you think this is over the top, you should see the other one. This car is part of the Abagnale Collection, curated by Sonny and Joan Abagnale.
It is a great irony that the two best known and flamboyant French coachbuilders from the art deco era of coachbuilding were not French. Giuseppe Figoni from Figoni et Falaschi was Italian, and Jacques Saoutchik was born Iakov Savtchuk in Russia. This Cadillac is one of Saoutchik's most extravagant designs, being one of just two Cadillacs bodied by the flamboyant coachbuilder. If you think this is over the top, you should see the other one. This car is part of the Abagnale Collection, curated by Sonny and Joan Abagnale.

It is a great irony that the two best known and flamboyant French coachbuilders from the art deco era of coachbuilding were not French. Giuseppe Figoni from Figoni et Falaschi was Italian, and Jacques Saoutchik was born Iakov Savtchuk in Russia. This Cadillac is one of Saoutchik's most extravagant designs, being one of just two Cadillacs bodied by the flamboyant coachbuilder. If you think this is over the top, you should see the other one. This car is part of the Abagnale Collection, curated by Sonny and Joan Abagnale.

Beauty in the beast

The Jaguar E-Type was one of the featured cars at Amelia Island in 2018 and this has to be close to the most beautiful specimen of the car which Enzo Ferrari dubbed "the most beautiful car in the world." The polished aluminum exterior is only one of the highlights of this 1963 fixed head coupe, with the car race prepared by the Jaguar factory, then upgraded in 1966 by Gordon Brown of Red Rose Racing, including the fitting of a 4.2 liter engine. Still capable of winning but ... almost too beautiful to race. Thoroughbred in every respect.
The Jaguar E-Type was one of the featured cars at Amelia Island in 2018 and this has to be close to the most beautiful specimen of the car which Enzo Ferrari dubbed "the most beautiful car in the world." The polished aluminum exterior is only one of the highlights of this 1963 fixed head coupe, with the car race prepared by the Jaguar factory, then upgraded in 1966 by Gordon Brown of Red Rose Racing, including the fitting of a 4.2 liter engine. Still capable of winning but ... almost too beautiful to race. Thoroughbred in every respect.

The Jaguar E-Type was one of the featured cars at Amelia Island in 2018 and this has to be close to the most beautiful specimen of the car which Enzo Ferrari dubbed "the most beautiful car in the world."

The polished aluminum exterior is only one of the highlights of this 1963 fixed head coupe, with the car race prepared by the Jaguar factory, then upgraded in 1966 by Gordon Brown of Red Rose Racing, including the fitting of a 4.2 liter engine. Still capable of winning but ... almost too beautiful to race. Thoroughbred in every respect.

1961 Lotus Mk14 Elite Series 2 SE

Colin Chapman did do things by halves, often reducing the traditional weight of vehicles by half in his quest for sustainable speed and reliability. The Lotus Type 14 Elite was developed in 1957, powered by a 1,216cc SOHC Coventry-Climax engine and weighing just 1,110 pounds (503.5 kg), thanks to a fiberglass monocoque construction. The Lotus Elite won its class at Le Mans no less than six times. This car was rescued from a barn in 1996 and underwent a complete bare shell restoration.

"Tweedy Pie" - the best known T-Bucket in history

"Big Daddy" Ed Roth and the T-bucket "Tweedy Pie" are two of the foundation icons of the hot rod movement, with the Revell 1/25th scale plastic car kit apparently selling in numbers over 11 million during its extensive lifetime. With a recognition factor like that and 11 million devoted enthusiasts, what would you expect it to sell for at auction? Well it went to auction three times, selling in 2007 for $335,500, then again in 2010 where it received a high bid of $200,000 but didn't make reserve, and then again in 2011 where it sold for $176,000. Those numbers belie the true influence of the car, and it now resides in the Galpin Big Daddy Roth Collection.
"Big Daddy" Ed Roth and the T-bucket "Tweedy Pie" are two of the foundation icons of the hot rod movement, with the Revell 1/25th scale plastic car kit apparently selling in numbers over 11 million during its extensive lifetime. With a recognition factor like that and 11 million devoted enthusiasts, what would you expect it to sell for at auction? Well it went to auction three times, selling in 2007 for $335,500, then again in 2010 where it received a high bid of $200,000 but didn't make reserve, and then again in 2011 where it sold for $176,000. Those numbers belie the true influence of the car, and it now resides in the Galpin Big Daddy Roth Collection.

"Big Daddy" Ed Roth and the T-bucket "Tweedy Pie" are two of the foundation icons of the hot rod movement, with the Revell 1/25th scale plastic car kit apparently selling in numbers over 11 million during its extensive lifetime.

With a recognition factor like that and 11 million devoted enthusiasts, what would you expect it to sell for at auction? Well it went to auction three times, selling in 2007 for $335,500, then again in 2010 where it received a high bid of $200,000 but didn't make reserve, and then again in 2011 where it sold for $176,000. Those numbers belie the true influence of the car, and it now resides in the Galpin Big Daddy Roth Collection.

1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Shooting Brake

The moniker "shooting brake" is used for pedigreed automobiles that have been converted to what would be termed a "station wagon" rear in less pedigreed cars. This is a 1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom I shooting brake with a rear of mahogany and oak, exhibited by the T bar W Ranch, located in Mineola, Texas, approximately 90 minutes east of Dallas.
The moniker "shooting brake" is used for pedigreed automobiles that have been converted to what would be termed a "station wagon" rear in less pedigreed cars. This is a 1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom I shooting brake with a rear of mahogany and oak, exhibited by the T bar W Ranch, located in Mineola, Texas, approximately 90 minutes east of Dallas.

The Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance always throws up some interesting aspects of automotive history to pay homage to, and this year one of the customarily eccentric but very valid classes was a "Hunting Car" class.

The moniker "shooting brake" is used for pedigreed automobiles that have been converted to have what would be termed a "station wagon" rear in less pedigreed cars. That is, plenty of room for hunting dogs and guns and anything else you might need going hunting.

The winner of this category was a 1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Shooting Brake with a rear fashioned from mahogany and oak. The 1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Shooting Brake was exhibited by the T bar W Ranch, located in Mineola, Texas, approximately 90 minutes east of Dallas.

1949 Buick V8 Texas Hunting Car for the biggest ranch in Texas: two spare tires, six shotgun sheaths, one winch and a two-way radio

This vehicle was built on a 1949 Buick Roadmaster Dyna Flow frame for seven-term US Congressman, Richard M Kleberg Snr, the owner of King Ranch, the largest ranch in Texas (1,289 square miles) and an avid outdoorsman. Kleberg was a go-getter of apex predator status, and when he decided he wanted a hunting car, he went to the best known automobile designer in the world, Harley Earl. Earl came up with El Kineño, a custom-designed 1949 Buick convertible with two spare tires, six shotgun sheaths, its own winch, a two-way radio, heavy-duty suspension and cooling system ... the original car made the cover of popular Science magazine (above left), and the full story can be found at Justacarguy. Just for the record, King Ranch isn't nearly the largest ranch in the world. That title is held by the Anna Creek Station in Australia which makes up 1.6 percent of the Australian continent's total land area - seven times the size of King Ranch and roughly the size of Ireland.
This vehicle was built on a 1949 Buick Roadmaster Dyna Flow frame for seven-term US Congressman, Richard M Kleberg Snr, the owner of King Ranch, the largest ranch in Texas (1,289 square miles) and an avid outdoorsman. Kleberg was a go-getter of apex predator status, and when he decided he wanted a hunting car, he went to the best known automobile designer in the world, Harley Earl. Earl came up with El Kineño, a custom-designed 1949 Buick convertible with two spare tires, six shotgun sheaths, its own winch, a two-way radio, heavy-duty suspension and cooling system ... the original car made the cover of popular Science magazine (above left), and the full story can be found at Justacarguy. Just for the record, King Ranch isn't nearly the largest ranch in the world. That title is held by the Anna Creek Station in Australia which makes up 1.6 percent of the Australian continent's total land area - seven times the size of King Ranch and roughly the size of Ireland.

This vehicle was built on a 1949 Buick Roadmaster Dyna Flow frame for seven-term US Congressman, Richard M Kleberg Snr, the owner of King Ranch, the largest ranch in Texas (1,289 square miles) and an avid outdoorsman. Kleberg was a go-getter of apex predator status, and when he decided he wanted a hunting car, he went to the best known automobile designer in the world, Harley Earl.

Earl came up with El Kineño, a custom-designed 1949 Buick convertible with two spare tires, six shotgun sheaths, its own winch, a two-way radio, heavy-duty suspension and cooling system ... the original car made the cover of Popular Science magazine (above left), and the full story can be found at Justacarguy.

Just for the record, King Ranch isn't nearly the largest ranch in the world. That title is held by the Anna Creek Station in Australia which makes up 1.6 percent of the Australian continent's total land area, seven times the size of King Ranch and roughly the size of Ireland.

The 50th Anniversary 1953 Buick Skylark

The top-of-the-range Buick at the time of the company's 50th anniversary in 1953 was the Skylark, which was promoted as the American answer to the European sportscar. Only 1,690 Skylarks were produced, largely due to the unprecedented list price of slightly in excess of US$5,000 which was over 50 percent more than the well-equipped US$3,200 Roadmaster convertible on which it was based. It was however, by far the most luxurious Buick ever produced. Purchasers had their name engraved on a gold plaque on the hub of the steering wheel. Its features included power brakes, power steering, power windows, power seats and a power aerial for the foot-controlled Selectronic radio.
The top-of-the-range Buick at the time of the company's 50th anniversary in 1953 was the Skylark, which was promoted as the American answer to the European sportscar. Only 1,690 Skylarks were produced, largely due to the unprecedented  list price of slightly in excess of US$5,000 which was over 50 percent more than the well-equipped US$3,200 Roadmaster convertible on which it was based. It was however, by far the most luxurious Buick ever produced. Purchasers had their name engraved on a gold plaque on the hub of the steering wheel. Its features included power brakes, power steering, power windows, power seats and a power aerial for the foot-controlled Selectronic radio.

The top-of-the-range Buick at the time of the company's 50th anniversary in 1953 was the Skylark, which was promoted as the American answer to the European sportscar. Only 1,690 Skylarks were produced, largely due to the unprecedented list price of slightly in excess of $5,000 which was over 50 percent more than the well-equipped $3,200 Roadmaster convertible on which it was based.

It was however, by far the most luxurious Buick ever produced. Purchasers had their name engraved on a gold plaque on the hub of the steering wheel. Its features included power brakes, power steering, power windows, power seats and a power aerial for the foot-controlled Selectronic radio.

The Full Monty

The first owner of this 1955 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback was Raymond Montague Burton, head of the eponymous British high-street clothing chain founded by his father Sir Montague Burton.

The car was ordered new, as one can do today with Bentleys, with a recess in the left hand door for picnic equipment, and a bespoke set of Bentley luggage. The common phrase "the Full Monty," originally referred to a complete 55 shillings Montague Burton outfit, with the suits for all the shops across Britain made in a workshop in Leeds which at its peak, produced 30,000 suits a week.

1961 Fiat-Abarth 1000 GT Bialbero "werks"

This 1961 Fiat Abarth 1000 GT Bialbero produced just 99 bhp from its 982 cc dual overhead cam inline four-cylinder engine with two Weber 40 DCOE carburetors, but it was a triumphant result of years of development, capitalizing on tuning refinements to Fiat’s rear-engine 600 chassis, and the namesake dual-cam Bialbero cylinder head. This car was prepared as a factory team car in August 1961 and entered as #111 at the Nürburgring 500 KM on 3 September 1961, with Eberhard Mahle (of the Mahle Pistons family) and Teodoro Zeccoli qualifying for a pole-position start. The duo remained in contention almost the entire race before a faulty fuel pump forced them to retire during the final lap, though they still managed to finish in 5th. Considerably more history and photos can be found on the RM-Sothebys site where the car was acquired by current owners Don and Diane Meluzio in 2016 for $308,000
This 1961 Fiat Abarth 1000 GT Bialbero produced just 99 bhp from its 982 cc dual overhead cam inline four-cylinder engine with two Weber 40 DCOE carburetors, but it was a triumphant result of years of development, capitalizing on tuning refinements to Fiat’s rear-engine 600 chassis, and the namesake dual-cam Bialbero cylinder head.  This car was prepared as a factory team car in August 1961 and entered as #111 at the Nürburgring 500 KM on 3 September 1961, with Eberhard Mahle (of the Mahle Pistons family) and Teodoro Zeccoli qualifying for a pole-position start. The duo remained in contention almost the entire race before a faulty fuel pump forced them to retire during the final lap, though they still managed to finish in 5th. Considerably more history and photos can be found on the RM-Sothebys site where the car was acquired by current owners Don and Diane Meluzio in 2016 for $308,000

This 1961 Fiat Abarth 1000 GT Bialbero produced just 99 bhp from its 982 cc dual overhead cam inline four-cylinder engine with two Weber 40 DCOE carburetors, but six decades ago it was one of the finest sports cars one could buy, and the result of years of development and tuning refinements to Fiat's rear-engine 600 chassis, and the namesake dual-cam Bialbero cylinder head.

This car was prepared as a factory team car in August 1961 and entered as #111 at the 1961 Nürburgring 500 km race in September, with Eberhard Mahle (of the Mahle Pistons family) and Teodoro Zeccoli qualifying for a pole-position start. The duo remained in contention almost the entire race before a faulty fuel pump forced them to retire during the final lap, though they still managed to finish fifth outright. Remember this car had just 99 horsepower and nearly won a major sports car race on the legendary Nürburgring. Times have changed.

Considerably more history and photos can be found on the RM-Sothebys site where the car was acquired by current owners Don and Diane Meluzio in 2016 for $308,000

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Mike Hanlon
Mike Hanlon
As a photojournalist, Mike’s work has been published in a dozen languages across 20+ countries. He has edited or managed over 75 different print publications, each with a different target audience: sports, automotive, advertising, marketing, design, ad infinitum. Mike has been working in the internet for more than 25 years and was the veteran of five internet start-ups before founding New Atlas in 2002.

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nazza
Isn't the 1934 Peugeot 401 Eclipse the first electrically retractable hardtop? And this was a production car (nearly 80 made), not a concept like the 1941 Chrysler Thunderbolt.