The Amelia 2023 in the Florida Sun

    Amelia Island was descended upon by hundreds of automobiles and thousands of enthusists during the weekend of March 2nd through the 5th.

    Among the notable cars and celebrities were four auction companies all working to put collector cars into new homes.

    Bonhams, Gooding, RM Sotheby’s and Broad Arrow held auctions on the island and the results were good.

    Bonhams had the fewest Ferrari offerings with five cars. The others had a good range of Ferraris. Selected results to follow.

    But first there was a car show, and what a weekend it was to view automobiles. Saturday is Cars and Community. Among the display areas are automobiles of every description parked four rows deep with space to walk around and investigate.

    Two of the highlights are the RADwood and the Concours d’Lemons. Future classics are displayed and while the lawn is littered with more modern BMW, Porsche, Honda and Toyota selections, it is clear a new generation is keeping the collector car mindset in protecting and preserving these future collectibles.

    The Lemons were a different story. Here, unusual, forgotten and neglected cars are shown. Clearly automotive taste runs a wide and varied path. One must remember, it is how someone loves their car not how the car is loved.

    Sunday brings out a whole new group of automotive history. This display rivals any high-end concours in the world and many of these cars would be at home on Pebble Beach or Villa d’Este.

    Ferrari was well represented with class displays for Ferrari supercars and GT Berlinettas.

    The supercar class had no less than four Enzos represented. Jeff Grossman brought his fully restored red one and Connor Cogan displayed a beautiful yellow one.

 

    The class was rounded out with the dark blue Enzo of Peter Kalikow and David MacNeil’s red one.

    The GT Berlinetta class included a 250 MM, a 250 Europa GT, 250 GT LWB Berlinetta (TdF), 400 Superamerica, 250 GT Lusso, a 275 GTB in both 2-cam and 4-cam versions, and a 365 GTB/4.

    Hidden throughout other classes were Ferraris to be discovered. A beautiful red with tan 275 GTS brought from Belgium. A 330 GTC that had just completed restoration in a lovely metallic burgundy. Two gems waiting for the observant.

    A pair of very early Ferraris sat side-by-side. One was S/N 033 S, a 166 Inter Stablimenti Farina Cabriolet. Painted in light yellow it was resplendent in the bright Florida sunshine. The other was S/N 087 S, a 195 Inter Ghia Coupe in a lovely pea green color.

 

    The 195 was owned by Roger Demler whose wife Sally chronicled the journey of ownership and restoration of a car they have owned since 1964 in Ferrari Market Letter No. 4521 in 2020. It was special to meet them and the car.

    Another display was dedicated to winners of Le Mans in conjunction with the 100-year anniversary. Displayed were all three Corvettes from Briggs Cunningham’s 1960 Le Mans foray.

    Best in Show in the Concours de Sport was the last Ferrari to win Le Mans outright. In 1965 a 250 LM, S/N 5893, entered by Luigi Chinetti, came in first overall, a feat not yet repeated by Ferrari. At The Amelia it was once again a winner.

    Now in its second year under the Hagarty umbrella, I would call this event a resounding success. The cars, the crowds and the weather were a perfect combination to create the perfect event. If you haven’t been, it must be on your itinerary for next year.

 

BONUS PHOTOS FROM THE AMELIA