1936 Duesenberg SJN Wins Top Award at 2013 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance
It was a duesy of a weekend on Amelia Island. An estimated 24,000+ people attended the 18th Annual 2013 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. Sensational collector cars were showcased on this tiny barrier island in northeast Florida, bursting at its shores with automotive enthusiasts. This event of global appeal brings investors of rare collector cars, motorheads, automotive experts, top industry journalists, and car lovers in general. Two automobile auctions that also took place on the island during the event weekend sold a combined $54.95 million of rare, investment vehicles with the top single sale on Amelia Island a 1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Convertible Coupe that was sold by RM Auctions for $4.51 million.
At the winner’s circle on the field, receiving the “Best of Show” award at the 2013 Amelia Island Concours was another duesy, a 1936 Duesenberg SJN (pictured above) owned by Jack and Helen Nethercutt, winning the “Concours d’Elegance.” The old expression “it’s a duesy,” is said to originate with the style and elegance of this automobile. The other top award “Concours de Sport,” went to a 1968 Ford GT40 of the Rocky Mountain Collection.
This year on Amelia Island’s “Field of Dreams,” featured marques were the Ford GT40, the Corvette Sting Ray, Porsche 911, and the cars of American race car designer Harry Miller. See additional scenes (gallery below, photos by W.B. Lawson) of the 18th Annual Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance 2013 at the seaside setting of the Golf Club of Amelia, Summer Beach, adjacent to The Amelia Island Ritz-Carlton.
About this particular Ritz, it’s worth mentioning that this hotel and restaurant combo is the only property in North America to be awarded the AAA Five Diamond rating in 2013 for both the hotel and its restaurant, “Salt,” read article about this. Quite an accomplishment considering AAA assessed 30,000 hotels for the 2013 ratings that resulted in awarding only 125 of the hotel properties with the top AAA Five Diamond award. Far fewer restaurants earned the top Five Diamond rating. Of 29,000 restaurants assessed, only 53 achieved the AAA Five Diamond status in 2013.
AMELIA ISLAND LIVING’S COASTAL CAR PICK
1958 Cadillac Concept Car, an Eldorado Biarritz With Moisture Sensor
While the glamour license plate was “RAINDRP,” this 1958 Cadillac Concept Car (pictured) looked like pure sunshine. Everyone has their own favorites and there are oodles to choose from at a car show of this caliber, but picture yourself in this vintage blue beauty for coastal cruising around Amelia Island with the top down, an Eldorado Biarritz. About the license plate, called raindrop due to its unique moisture sensor, a special modification that would automatically close the top and put the windows up with the first drop of water. Pretty amazing feature for a convertible back in 1958! But not a drop of rain fell on Amelia Island to set it in motion this event weekend.
Weather-wise, too, the Concours d’Elegance was a winner with clear skies at the seashore during the 3-day event, temps hitting the 70s with bright sunshine during the main show on Sunday, March 10, 2013. Note that this event is always held rain or shine. Rain does understandably put a damper on the ambiance, and sends the amazing assortment of approximately 300 collector vehicles into the Ritz-Carlton parking garage and under tents. Fortunately, that has rarely occurred in the 18-year history of this extraordinary event here in northeast Florida.
PLAN AHEAD FOR NEXT YEAR’S EVENT
With the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance held annually the second weekend in March, those wishing to stay at this top-rated Ritz-Carlton during the Concours event weekend should make a booking ASAP for next year’s event, since availability is very limited during this popular weekend each year. Another lodging option in the vicinity is Summer Beach Resort rental properties such as the Ocean Place two and three bedroom condos adjacent to the Ritz-Carlton on its south side with gorgeous views of the shoreline and very close to the Concours event.
For further information, visit the official website of the, Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance.
