The Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance Continues its Record of Uninterrupted Success
Established in 1996 and now celebrating its 26th anniversary, the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance remains one of the finest and longest-running events of its kind in North America. Founded by Bill Warner and his tireless team of volunteers, “The Amelia,” as the event is more commonly known, runs with the support of a small army of committed event volunteers plus a virtually countless array of exhibitors and supporters. See the Amelia Island Itinerary below.
Enjoying a continuous record of success through the years, the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance draws hundreds of show vehicles and legions of classic-car enthusiasts annually. Best of all, this wonderful event has generated more than $3.5 million in charitable donations supporting the work of Community Hospice & Palliative Care, Spina Bifida of Jacksonville, and many more worthy local and national charities since inception. For obvious reasons, the 2021 edition of the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance was moved back from its traditional March schedule to Sunday, May 23, but continues uninterrupted in 2021, unlike other events held elsewhere.
In keeping with tradition, the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance celebrates racing legends each year and 2021 attendees will be in for a special treat with honored guest Lyn St. James. A successful front-line driver, writer, broadcaster, and entrepreneur, St. James rose to prominence in the late 1970s, especially after an epic victory with the BF Goodrich/American Motors racing team at the grueling Nürburgring 24 Hours. Lyn also holds the distinction of being one of just nine women to ever qualify for the Indianapolis 500 and she was named the first female Rookie of the Year award winner at the Speedway in 1992. A true renaissance woman with far too many achievements to fully list here, St. James is a 2-time class winner at the 24 Hours of Daytona and earned a GTO class victory at the 1990 12 Hours of Sebring. Among her many exploits, St. James set a closed-course speed record over 227 mph at the wheel of a specially prepared Ford Thunderbird racecar.
Other fabulous Amelia Island attractions for 2021 will include the debut of the Supercar Class, demonstrating the stunning performance and cutting-edge artistry of some of the most outrageous exotic cars ever unleashed. The timing of the new class is appropriate, given that 2021 marks the 50th anniversary of Lamborghini’s otherworldly Countach, the quintessential Italian Supercar. Among them will be the Countach that served as the high-profile 1981-1982 Monaco Grand Prix Safety Car, plus other Continental greats including examples of Ferrari’s 288 GTO, F40, F50, and even the actual on-screen Ferrari Testarossa of Miami Vice fame.
Germany’s legends will also be well represented, with class entries including the sleek BMW M1, high-tech Porsche 959, and an example of the stunning Mercedes-AMG CLK GTR, which dominated international racing in the late 1990s. Not to be outdone, modern British supercars will be headlined by the Jaguar XJR-15 and the McLaren F1. Perhaps the wildest and rarest contribution to the Supercar class will be a Cizeta V16T, the 1993 Geneva Motor Show car and product of a joint venture by former Lamborghini engineer Claudio Zampolli, music legend Giorgio Moroder, and famed designer Marcello Gandin
Given The Amelia’s strong motorsports heritage and close proximity to Jacksonville’s Brumos Porsche, it is only fitting that the Concours d’Elegance will also host a new class dedicated to Porsche’s massively successful 935 racecars. Setting down a new template for endurance-racing success with nearly a decade’s worth of high-profile international victories from 1976 through 1984, the 935 was a technological marvel with its turbocharged and intercooled powerplants and all-out aerodynamic package. Perhaps the most famous 935, the #41 car of Whittington/Ludwig that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans, will be one of this year’s star attractions.
Given the many challenges posed by the lingering pandemic, the high-end Amelia Island auction roster is down to two, but very substantial, live events for 2021 – hosted by Bonhams and RM Sotheby’s, the latter serving as the official auction house in conjunction with the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance since the event’s inception in 1999. Absent this year will be Santa Monica, California-based elite auctioneer Gooding and Company, a vital player at Amelia since 2010, which just concluded the latest edition of its very successful series of Geared Online auctions earlier in May. A characteristically wide array of collector cars and competition cars spanning automotive history will be offered by RM Sotheby’s this year, while Bonhams will lift the gavel on an uncommonly deep Amelia Island auction, headlined by dozens of elite-level early motorcars and grand Classic Era legends.
Quickly following the closely watched Scottsdale auction week in January, the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, auctions, and related events will provide a relaxed atmosphere and a great way to welcome springtime. In addition to the Concours d’Elegance and auctions, a wide array of displays, driving events and seminars will combine to deliver an exciting and action-packed occasion in a beautiful setting. Among the events will be the Porsche Driving Experience, Reliable Carriers Eight Flag Road Tour, Luxury-car displays, lifestyle events, and exclusive dinners will round out the wide array of Amelia Island celebrations and events. Members of the Premier Financial Services Team will be watching the auctions and ready to help our clients with leasing and financing advice.
Offering yet another jam-packed schedule, despite the disruptions of the past year, the various Amelia Island events will span May 20-23. Careful advance planning is essential to getting the most from your experience. To help, we have compiled the following list of activities, dates, and useful links in the itinerary below.
Amelia Island Itinerary
THURSDAY, MAY 20th, 2021
RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island Auction Preview
10:00 a.m. – 7 p.m.
The Ritz-Carlton Ballroom, Ocean Front Lawn
4750 Amelia Island Parkway, Amelia Island, FL 32034
For more information, visit rmsothebys.com
Bonhams Auction
11 a.m. Start Time
Fernandina Beach Golf Club
2800 Bill Melton Road, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
For more information, please visit bonhams.com
The Amelia Island Concours Silent Auction
3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island Plaza 1
4750 Amelia Island Parkway, Amelia Island, FL 32034
For more information, visit https://www.ameliaconcours.org/
FRIDAY, MAY 21st, 2021
The Porsche Driving Experience *SOLD OUT
7 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Departing from Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport
Porsche Werks Reunion
7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Amelia River Golf Club
Reliable Carriers’ Eight Flags Road Tour
8 a.m. – 4 p.m
Departs from Ritz-Carlton main driveway
4750 Amelia Island Parkway, Amelia Island, FL 32034
*Open to Concours Registered Vehicles Only*
For more information, visit https://www.ameliaconcours.org/
RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island Auction Preview
10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
The Ritz-Carlton Ballroom, Ocean Front Lawn
4750 Amelia Island Parkway, Amelia Island, FL 32034
For more information, visit rmsothebys.com
The Amelia Island Concours Silent Auction
10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island Plaza 1
For more information, visit https://www.ameliaconcours.org/
McLaren Dinner of Champions
6:30 pm – 10 pm
The Ritz-Carlton, Talbot Ballroom, Cocktail attire
4750 Amelia Island Parkway, Amelia Island, FL 32034
Keynote Speakers: Mr. Miles Collier and Mr. Bill Warner with Lyn St. James
SATURDAY, MAY 22nd, 2021
MotorXpo
8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Vendors and cars on display on the first hole of the Golf Club of Amelia Island
4700 Amelia Island Pkwy, Amelia Island, FL 32034
For more information, visit https://www.ameliaconcours.org/
Cars & Coffee at the Concours
Presented by Revs Institute and Heacock Classic Insurance
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Over 450 classic and exotic cars from local car clubs at Fairways of the Golf Club of Amelia Island.
Automobilia and Luxury Lifestyle Merchants
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island
4750 Amelia Island Parkway, Amelia Island, FL 32034
Open to Public
For more information, visit https://www.ameliaconcours.org/
Test Drives – Various Manufacturers
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The Ritz-Carlton & The Golf Club of Amelia Island, Front Driveway
Complimentary
For more information, visit https://www.ameliaconcours.org/
The Amelia Island Concours Silent Auction
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island Plaza 1
4750 Amelia Island Parkway, Amelia Island, FL 32034
For more information, visit https://www.ameliaconcours.org/
RM Sotheby’s Auction
11 a.m. Start Time
The Ritz-Carlton
4750 Amelia Island Parkway, Amelia Island, FL 32034
For more information, visit rmsothebys.com
Saturday Seminar – The All-Conquering Porsche 935 / SOLD OUT
Presented by Grundy Insurance
3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
The Ritz-Carlton, Talbot Ballroom
4750 Amelia Island Parkway, Amelia Island, FL 32034
For more information, visit https://www.ameliaconcours.org/
Honoree Lyn St. James Cocktail Reception and Gala Dinner
6:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.
The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island – Talbot Ballroom $400.00 pp
4750 Amelia Island Parkway, Amelia Island, FL 32034
Black Tie Optional
For more information, visit https://www.ameliaconcours.org/
SUNDAY, MAY 23rd, 2021
MotorXpo
8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Vendors and cars on display on the first hole of the Golf Club of Amelia Island
4700 Amelia Island Pkwy, Amelia Island, FL 32034
For more information, visit https://www.ameliaconcours.org/
The Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance
9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The Golf Club of Amelia Island 10th & 18th Fairways
4700 Amelia Island Pkwy, Amelia Island, FL 32034
For more information, visit https://www.ameliaconcours.org/
May 12, 2021