Amelia Island, Florida – Reported by Elite Traveler, the Private Jet Lifestyle Magazine
In 1995, the general manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, Michael Carsch, had a challenge. He had a beautiful oceanfront Ritz-Carlton, only a few years old, and each year he struggled to fill rooms when warm spring weather first arrived on the island. He also knew most people were not familiar with Amelia Island, Florida. Carsch wanted to create an event that would attract a luxury crowd each year. He tracked down a local car collector, Bill Warner, who had a reputation as a passionate car guy. Warner, a successful businessman, photographer and writer for Road & Track, was being urged by other auto enthusiasts to create a classic car show in Florida. With The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island and Mercedes-Benz as inaugural sponsors, Warner launched the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. The first car show featured 125 cars, world-famous Grand Prix driver Sir Stirling Moss as Honorary Chairman, and drew about 2,000 car enthusiasts. It also sold out The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island.
Fast forward to 2011, the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance is entering its 16th year, and is now considered the most prestigious show on the east coast. Collectors consider it one of the big events of the year along with Pebble Beach in California, Meadow Brook in Michigan and Louis Vuitton Classic in midtown Manhattan. They will be joined by an estimated 15,000 enthusiasts who will walk the Concours on Sunday.
This year they will see 255 high quality rare cars competing for ribbons in the Concours d’Elegance which literally means “a competition of elegance.” Collectors, who are invited to the show, watch as a team of judges rate their cars for authenticity, function, history, style and quality of restorations. Any imperfection requires a fractional point deduction.
Why do collectors subject themselves to the rigor of a Concours competition? For some it is a hobby, they are proud to own a piece of history and want to share their car with other enthusiasts. For others, it is a business investment that can offer a higher return than the stock market. Last years auction sold more than $19 million in rare cars in a single day. But for all, it is a social gathering that celebrates automotive history.
Acknowledging the growth and stature of the Concours d’Elegance, Katharine Monahan, the current general manager at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island says, “The vision of an event that draws an international audience was realized with the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. Now as one of the most prestigious car showsin the United States, we are honored to be a sponsor and host this truly international event.”
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