The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance 
has been running since 1950, and for years, auto enthusiasts in Florida had been begging for a classic car show. In 1996, Bill Warner – a photographer, car collector, and writer for Road Track – founded the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. The show is traditionally held on the second weekend of every March at the Ritz-Carlton, but the first event actually took place on April 6, 1996. That first year there were 163 cars and 2,200 in attendance. Fast forward to 2016, and more than 315 classic cars and motorcycles were displayed with thousands in attendance.
While the Amelia Island Concours hosts some of the most beautiful classic cars you may ever lay eyes on, it’s important to remember that it is more than that. Every year, proceeds earned at the show are donated to various charities, with Community Hospice of Northeast Florida being the first chosen back in 1996. Over the last 20 years, more than $2.5 million has been raised by the show.
As is the case with most classic auto shows, each car in every class is judged for perfection. At Amelia Island Concourse d’Elegance, however, the judging criteria is extremely strict, with even the slightest flaw warranting the deduction of points. This year, there were two cars named best of show, so let’s take a quick look at them.
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1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Town Car
This 1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Town Car is owned by the Nethercutt Collection, which has already won four best of show awards in the past. “I am delirious and shocked. I didn’t think we would do anything this year,” Said Jack Nethercutt, the head of the Nethercutt Collection. “We love coming to Amelia Island because it is so restful compared to other concours.” This year marked the fifth win for the Nethercutt Collection.
Pegaso Z102 BS 2.5 Cupula Coupe
This Pegaso Z102 BS 2.5 Cupula Coupe has been owned by Evert Louwman of Louwman Museum for the last eight years. Only 85 Pegaso sports cars were produced in Spain during the 1950’s and 14 showed up to Amelia Island this year. This one won best of show in its class. When speaking of the win, Evert Louwman said, “After eight years [of ownership] you want to have maybe a prize, but to get Best of Show is wonderful.” He continued, “I love it and it’s great; a great experience.”
From all of us here at TopSpeed, Congratulations to the winners of the show, and to Bill Warner for another successful show at the Amelia Island concours.