A concours d'elegance, literally "a competition of elegance," is described by The New York Times writer Keith Martin as akin to a "beauty pageant for rare and elegant cars." Each entry is evaluated by a team of judges, including specialists for each car type, based on authenticity, function, history, style, and quality of restoration. A perfect score is 100, with any imperfection resulting in a fractional point deduction. Classes are organized by type, marque, coachbuilder, country of origin, or time period.
Judges select first-, second-, and third-place finishers for each class. Honorary judges, typically individuals with significant contributions to the automotive industry or motorsports, may also bestow subjective awards. Vehicles newer than 1974 models are generally not eligible, and participation is by invitation only.
Businessman and car collector Bill Warner, a photographer and writer for Road & Track magazine since 1971, founded the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance in 1996. He was prompted by other northeast Florida auto enthusiasts to establish a classic car show in Florida similar to the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in California. Warner chose Community Hospice of Northeast Florida as the event's beneficiary, as it had served his parents and wife. The inaugural event took place on April 6, 1996, at The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island, featuring 163 cars and attracting approximately 2,200 attendees. By 1999, attendance had grown to 8,500, with 205 cars exhibited, and $268,000 was raised for Community Hospice.
In 2021, the event was moved from March to May, with plans to return to March the following year. Also in 2021, the event was acquired by Hagerty.
Each year, the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance honors an outstanding individual from motorsports, a featured marque (manufacturer), and/or a theme. The event includes judging and awards for each class within the Field of Dreams showcase exhibition. Top concours awards include the Best of Show Concours d'Elegance and the Best of Show Concours de Sport. Additional events have encompassed a golf tournament, automobile auctions, art and fashion shows, dinners with honored guests, silent auctions of memorabilia, charity raffles, and autograph sessions. Corporate awards, vehicle class awards, and special awards like the People's Choice award are also presented.
The non-profit Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance Foundation was established in 2000 to manage the event and its volunteers. Proceeds have supported various charitable organizations, including Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, the Spina Bifida Association of Florida at Jacksonville, Shop with Cops, the Duval County 4-H Foundation, and the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society. The event aims to raise at least $100,000 annually for Community Hospice. Since 1996, the foundation has donated over $3.5 million to these charitable organizations.
The 2025 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance Grand Prix winner was the 1929 Duesenberg J-218 Town Limousine. Notable past winners include a 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K and a 1969 McLaren M8B. In 2016, the Best of Show Concours de Sport was awarded to a 1952 Pegaso Z-102 BS 2.5 Cupola Coupe, and the Best of Show Concours d'Elegance was awarded to a 1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Sedanca de Ville.
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