First Impressions: 2014 Amelia Island Concours

If you have ever been part of an organizing team for a major event you would know what it is like to run an event of the magnitude of Amelia Island. This is the 19th year of the event and by sheer will and a ton of hard work, it has bullied its way into being one of the top automotive events in the USA, if not the world. That is quite an accomplishment. One might say Amelia Island is the East Coast equivalent of Monterey Week in August. The vibe is a lot different.

The location is stunning so we are told. Yes, we are here in Apocalyptic Fernandina Island with wind-swept rain and 40 degree temps. That makes the organizers crazy for sure. The sponsors and auction houses have less than pleasant days for all the setup required to make the event a success. Our hats are off to all of them because we have been there in another life. (You haven’t lived on the edge until you are responsible for an event with 1,500 attendees arriving on the same day as a Florida hurricane.) But inside the luxurious Ritz-Carlton everything was in its place and oblivious to the bizarre weather outside. Everyone in the collector car world is here. Perhaps that is why our hotel is 42 minutes away from the action. We cruised through the Automobilia Shop and found an amazing array of original racing posters from the 50s, 60s and 70s. While the gallery owner was sharing the enormous collection to a prospective buyer, she reveals a Polish Rally poster featuring the 1963 winner: a Mercedes-Benz Fintail like our own. How is that for Karma or should we say Carma.

The RM Auction previews were held in the ballroom and outside in a rain battered tent. We elected to preview the Malcolm Pray collection and its stunning motorcars. It is difficult to select one of the collection to feature however the folks at RM may have influenced our decision somewhat. In the center of the ballroom under a perfect array of lights, sits a silver 300SL originally owned by Natalie Wood. She purchased the SL when she was 19 and had it repainted in pink. What can one say about that. Thankfully it has led a charmed life since and returned to its glorious silver with red interior. It is one of 25 roadsters equipped with Rudge wheels. The auction estimate tops at $1.75 million. Natalie would be proud. More tomorrow.