Now in its second decade, the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance is one of the top automotive events from around the world. More than 250 classics from 11 different countries are expected to take part in the 16th annual Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance (March 11-13, 2011). The event will take place on the 10th and 18th fairways of The Golf Club of Amelia Island at Summer Beach adjacent to The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. Like every year, the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance 2011 will see rare cars, like the 1960 Plymouth XNR Concept Car and a 1965 Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman Landaulet previously used to shuttle the Pope. Bill Warner, Concours founder and co-chairman, commented…We work very hard to showcase noteworthy cars, but more than that, it is important to us that we recognize significant cars from around the world. We consider ourselves to be an international show and it is an honor to know that we will have incredible vehicles such as the XNR and the Pope’s Mercedes at the show this year.
Let’s take a look at some of the highlights of the 2011 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance.1. Ferrari 250 GTO Anniversary At 2012 ShowThe Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance Foundation will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the legendary Ferrari 250 GTO at its 2012 show. The iconic GTO was built between 1962 and 1964, and is considered by the auto enthusiasts and collectors to be the most coveted of all Ferraris built. These vehicles rarely change hands and when they do, it is usually via a private transaction. Last year, Amelia celebrated 40th anniversary of the Porsche 917’s victories at the 24 Hours of Daytona and Le Mans endurance races.2. 1960 Plymouth XNR Concept CarThis asymmetric Plymouth Roadster, defining American automotive design of the early ’60s, was designed by Chrysler Styling Chief, Virgil Exner and built for Chrysler by Ghia. It features the Plymouth Slant Six with Hyperpak mated to a three-speed transmission. Billed as an iconic, international gem, the 1960 Plymouth XNR Concept Car was once sold to the Shah of Iran and even manage to survive the war in Lebanon, as it was parked safely in a secret basement garage. It also appeared in a story in National Geographic Magazine in the late ’60s. The car is being restored by RM Classic Cars in Ontario, Canada and will be seen for the first time in nearly 50 years at The Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance on March 13.3. 1965 Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman Landaulet The historic 1965 Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman Landaulet built especially for Pope Paul VI will be another iconic vehicle to make appearance this year as part of a featured Class of Mercedes-Benz 600 vehicles on display. The Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman Landaulet was originally presented in September 1963 at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt. It was equipped with Mercedes-Benz’s first ever V-8 that could reach 0-100 km/h in an impressive 10 seconds. Over two decades, the car was used by three popes and was returned to Mercedes-Benz’s Stuttgart, Germany headquarters in 1985. 4. Mormon MeteorThe “Mormon Meteor” Duesenberg will be the featured vehicle at the 16th annual Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, March 11-13, 2011. It will be the vehicle’s third appearance at Amelia in 15 years and its first showing since a major restoration two years ago. Once called the “fastest, most powerful car in the world,” the Duesenberg Special/Mormon Meteor is the ultimate pre-war racecar and is still taken as the ultimate Duesenberg by collectors worldwide.
