Tim Mosso visits the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance: Classic Supercars and Vintage Cars in Abundance

The Amelia Island concours d’class – “The Amelia” – has been held yearly within the Florida area of the identical identify since 1996. Native local weather provides an agreeable escape from northern climate through the late days of winter, and it’s for exactly this purpose that America’s best basic vehicles and their admirers make the journey every year.

The variety and high quality of the basic steel on show calls for each respect and reflection; it is a uncommon pleasure. 2022 was my first yr of attendance, and I used to be lucky to doc the {hardware} on exhibition. This gallery is the primary of two highlighting my expertise.

Day one of many occasion included a showcase of classic and late mannequin supercars. Lamborghini’s Countach, the definitive bed room wall poster automotive of a era, was represented by this beautiful inexperienced Euro-bumper Countach 400S.

Constructed after the preliminary “periscopio” LP400, the 400S added the primary of the gingerbread that will turn into – for higher or worse – a signature of the automotive through the Nineteen Eighties. Huge air bins over the quarter-panels trace on the voracious urge for food of the V12 engine beneath the rear deck.

Lamborghini Countach

Lamborghini’s shingle-like form, penned by Marcello Gandini, stays crisp regardless of the fender flairs, large air dam, and Boeing-grade wing. Fascinating particulars abound. First, there’s the big articulated mono-wiper to comb the windshield. Floor curiosity consists of sharply geometric components such because the trapezoidal entrance hood and sharply angular glass planes.

False headlights in truth home the flip alerts whereas the precise beams conceal beneath retractable covers. NACA ducts on every flank – one of many few concessions to practicality that truly improved the looks – add aerospace pleasure to a physique already pulsating with vitality.

Lamborghini’s authentic “raging bull” emblem seems each cruder and leaner than its present iteration, and that’s a part of this classic supercar’s attraction.

Lamborghini Countach

Not removed from the 400S, Lamborghini’s ultimate Countach, the twenty fifth Anniversary, mirrored the ultimate evolution of a mannequin that noticed extra beauty surgical procedure than Michael Jackson. In truth, the twenty fifth Anniversary is extra sleek than lots of the “center” Countach iterations thanks to an intensive re-imagining by a younger Horacio Pagani.

The Countach 25 was his first full-car design venture, and its comparatively unified thrives mirror a reputable effort to recuperate the cohesion of the mannequin’s unadorned early years. With a 449 horsepower V12 from the four-valve LP5000 QV, the ultimate Countach additionally was essentially the most highly effective.

Lamborghini LM002

Lamborghini’s LM002 – presumably essentially the most excessive street authorized automobile of the Nineteen Eighties – additionally made an look. Descended from a failed navy prototype, the LM002 mixed a Countach V12 with Hummer-like street presence and large off-road chops.

Loaded with luxurious, 449 horsepower, and gasoline capability of as much as 290 liters, the LM002 created the efficiency SUV style many years earlier than every other model even thought-about such a factor.

Lamborghini LM002

Regardless of a mass of two,666 kilograms, the LM was able to operating with interval Detroit muscle vehicles and boasted a high pace of over 125mph. Tires had been model-specific Pirelli Scorpion steamrollers 345mm broad.

Whereas the truck by no means discovered a mainstream viewers – even by Lambo requirements – it was properly beloved amongst rich Center Jap residents with limitless fuel and restricted roads.

Jaguar’s XJ220 and the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren offered a case research in vehicles extra beloved at the moment than they had been of their period. The Jaguar supercar’s picture suffered in its day attributable to its dissimilarity with the long-forgotten auto present prototype of the mannequin.

Jaguar XJ220

Whereas the present automotive boasted options akin to a Jaguar V12 and all-wheel-drive, the manufacturing mannequin included a Ford-based twin turbo race-bred V6 and rear-wheel drive.

In hindsight, the Tom Walkinshaw Racing-built 220 was a ballistic missile clocked at a record-setting 217mph and solely lacking a Le Mans class win on a technicality. It was an amazing efficiency automotive cloaked in all-time-great sheet steel.

As we speak, the rarity – solely 282 had been made – and drop-dead seems to be make the 220 extremely collectible.

Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren

Within the annals of automotive engineering, few vehicles suffered as troubled a gestation because the 2003-2010 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren. Though the union of MB and McLaren was a pure extension of their F1 relationship, acrimony over the course of the street automotive venture emerged instantly.

Inside of the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren

Disagreements over the character of the automotive – sports activities automotive or grand tourer – led to unhealthy blood between McLaren designer Gordon Murray and Mercedes’ German group. I spoke to a veteran of McLaren from this era and was suggested that the SLR’s growth was essentially the most politicized he had ever skilled.

Styling of the automotive was by MB and based mostly closely on the 1999 Imaginative and prescient SLR idea automotive. Nonetheless, all engineering and manufacturing however the powertrain was carried out in England by McLaren Automotive.

Alongside race-bred options together with a full carbon tub, front-mid-engine format, and 617 horsepower, the McLaren SLR additionally included touring an computerized transmission, 1,800kg mass, and full inside luxurious appointments. In interval, the SLR was perceived as “compromised” relatively than “versatile.”

Inside of the Mercedes SLR

Not like the opposite 2000s-era “large three” supercars – Ferrari’s Enzo and Porsche’s Carrera GT – the SLR of 2025 is just not a million-dollar collectible. $350,000 nonetheless buys a properly maintained SLR coupe.

Again of the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren

That stated, the SLR’s accessible efficiency and ease of operation just lately have induced automotive collectors to take a second have a look at the mannequin and look at it extra kindly looking back.

A dynamic form, excessive raked profile, and scissor doorways endow the SLR with unmatched curbside attraction. Mercedes-grade luxurious lodging make the SLR a much more satisfying place to spend time than the spartan confines of an Enzo or Carrera GT.

The concours correct kicked off on March 6 with an exhibition of greater than 200 vehicles in a number of lessons. Typical concours heavy-hitters together with Wire, Bugatti, Pierce-Arrow, Rolls Royce, Marmon, and Duesenberg had been represented in power. The final of that record additionally claimed best-in-show courtesy of 1934 Duesenberg Mannequin J Roadster #531.

The rakish black machine boasted immaculate situation but additionally a number of unconventional interval particulars akin to faired nacelle headlights and a speedster-like minimize down windshield. The black magnificence was a surprising instance of a Pebble Seashore-grade restoration and a credit score to its prep crew.

Duesenberg J

The story of Duesenberg’s “J” is intertwined inextricably with its exceptional 6.9-liter straight-eight engine. This mill, which drew immediately on Fred Duesenberg’s racing expertise, made the Mannequin J the McLaren F1 of its day. In an period when 25-60hp engines remained frequent, the 265-horsepower “J” was distinctive.

Customary (non supercharged) Duesenberg motor (inexperienced)

Its technical specs – twin cams, hemi heads, 4 valves per cylinder – had been many years forward of their time. Customary Mannequin J engines had been painted inexperienced as seen right here.

Nonetheless, extra energy was accessible upon request. 36 Mannequin Js – the SJs – had been geared up with shaft-driven superchargers that elevated energy to 320hp. Further tuning introduced as much as 400hp for drivers keen to pay the worth and dwell with a race automotive on the street.

It was the world’s strongest street automotive. For perspective, think about that the 1951 Chrysler Hemi V8 made 180hp, the 1961 Jaguar E-Sort inline six made 265hp, and the 1984 Ferrari Testarossa flat 12 made 390hp.

Supercharged (purple) Duesenberg J motor

Supercharged Mannequin Js included red-painted engines as seen right here; this instance options minimal restoration.

Duesenberg SJ manifold ducts

As a result of presence of the tall cylindrical supercharger on the passenger facet of the engine, the exhaust routing of the Duesenberg SJ arcs above the cam covers, outboard to proper, and over the blower. The signature aspect – externally seen manifold ducts – turned so trendy that it was fitted to a number of commonplace Mannequin Js by request.

1937 Wire 812 phaeton

Gordon Buehrig’s landmark Wire 812 made the scene courtesy of a stunning cream-colored 1937 phaeton. Technically the center model within the Auburn-Wire-Duesenberg company hierarchy, Wire sometimes encroached on Duesenberg’s glory courtesy of styling triumphs just like the L-29 and 810/812.

Though not priced like Duesenbergs, the most effective of the Cords had been able to matching the senior model’s curb attraction.

Coffin-like nostril of the 1937 Wire 812 phaeton

Whereas technically audacious attributable to entrance wheel drive and a preselector gearbox, the 812’s gripping fashion is the inspiration of its legend. The coffin-like nostril served to emphasise the pushed entrance wheels, and its angular attraction has endeared it to generations of collectors.

Pop-up headlights had been a sensation of their time, and this function lent the mannequin a futuristic air by the requirements of its period. A straight eight engine with 125 horsepower or 170 with supercharging offered wonderful interval efficiency.

Davis Divan

Say “Davis Divan,” and only a few automotive collectors will catch the reference. Someplace between a pitchman and a con man, Glen Gordon Davis – he glided by “Gary” – promised post-war America a $1,000 household automotive. His resolution was a California-built three-wheel streamliner with a detachable high and a single four-passenger bench seat.

Resulting from aluminum physique building, a small four-cylinder engine, and aerodynamic contours, the 1947 Divan was billed as each economical and superior. As a result of impossibility of fixing the one entrance wheel conventionally, all three corners featured built-in jacks.

Streamlined Divan

Gary went overboard with each the guarantees he made and the cash he spent. Like John DeLorean a era later, it wasn’t clear the place the enterprise ended and the monkey enterprise began. After the corporate’s failure, Gary Davis spent a while incarcerated, however he ought to have been happy along with his legacy.

Of the 13 Divans constructed, 12 survive, and an unimaginable six of the twelve made it to Amelia Island 2022 as a featured marque.

1930 Cadillac V16

There isn’t any luxurious automotive extra iconic of America than a Cadillac. Whereas reminiscence of the model’s low ebb from the Nineteen Seventies to Nineties fades with every aggressive present product, the agency’s distant historical past is value recalling. In 1930, Cadillac’s V16 declared the Detroit model’s intent to compete on equal footing with the Bugattis, Duesenbergs, Rolls-Royces, and Marmons of the world.

Designed by Owen Nacker, the V16 was a complicated overhead valve narrow-V (45 diploma) partially aluminum 7.4-liter tour-de-force. Within the curiosity of releasing its operator from misery, the V16 was designed to favor large torque and easy operating over all else.

Within the period earlier than absolutely synchronized gearboxes, flexibility to drive from crawling to freeway pace in a single gear was the final word luxurious, and Cadillac’s V16 had it.

For essentially the most half, these had been coach-built vehicles equipped as operating chassis by Normal Motors and bodied by unbiased carriage works. Customization was anticipated, and few vehicles had been constructed identically.

1959 Cadillac

Almost 30 years after the V16, Cadillac launched the gathering that got here to represent each the most effective and the worst of the corporate’s publish warfare period, the 1959 Cadillacs. Tail fins – which started as a small flourish on the 1948 Cadillac line – grew to mammoth proportions by 1959.

Excessive tail fins of the 1959 Cadillac

The epitome of extra, these tail fins had been nearly aeronautical in scale and geared up with twin nacelle-style tail lights. Whereas lambasted of their time, these vehicles have developed a loyal following and lots of admirers within the trendy period.

I can bear in mind a time when individuals used these as planters for gardens and donor our bodies for artwork initiatives. The one at Amelia’s RM Sotheby’s 2022 public sale hammered for $250,000. How instances change.

The second installment of this two-part gallery will deal with classic Ferrari supercars, Le Mans race vehicles, Japanese basic vehicles in trendy concours occasions, coach-built luxurious, and the time Sears offered a horseless carriage by mail order catalog.

* Tim Mosso is the media director and watch specialist at The 1916 Firm. You may try their very complete YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/@the1916company.

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