At any Concours d’Elegance, the focus is on the gorgeous antique and classic cars showcased. But at this week’s event on Florida’s Amelia Island, there’s another set of head-turners – 11 historic motorsports trophies along with, of course, the amazing cars that won them over a century of racing.
Sure to impress are the Borg-Warner Trophy from the 1970 Indianapolis 500 and the rarely seen Maurice G. Bauer Trophy, emblematic of victory in the legendary Cannonball Run – dubbed “emblematic” because it was never awarded.
But the centerpiece of the exhibit is the imposing, seven-foot-plus sterling silver Wheeler-Schebler Trophy created by the famed New York luxury jewelry and specialty designer Tiffany & Co. First awarded in 1909, The Speedway’s opening year, the trophy was last presented to Harry Hartz, owner of the car leading at the 400-mile mark of the 1932 Indy 500. Hartz donated it to The Indianapolis Speedway Museum.
"To have these trophies and the cars that won them on Amelia's concours field brings home the true spirit of racing,” said Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance founder and Chairman Bill Warner. "It brings our long racing history and heritage into sharp focus."
Amelia's "Trophy Cars" exhibit features:
- The Borg-Warner Trophy - Indianapolis 500, 1970 Indy 500-winning PJ Colt #2
- The Wheeler Schebler Trophy - Indianapolis Motor Speedway, 1909 Buick "Old #10"
- The Harley J. Earl Daytona 500 Perpetual Trophy - Richard Petty Plymouth
- The Le Mans 24 Hour Trophy (1965) -- Ferrari 250 LM NART, Ferrari's last Le Mans 24 winner
- The Le Mans 24 Hour Trophy (1949)-Ferrari 166MM
- The Stevens Trophy - Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Cord 810 speed record car, 1937
- The Race of Two Worlds - Monza, Italy, Watson/Offenhauser "roadster"
- 1957 Vanderbilt Cup - ALCO "Black Beast" (the only two-time Vanderbilt Cup winner) 1908 & '09
- The Maurice G. Bauer Trophy (Cannonball Run) -1973 246 Dino
- The 1914 French GP Trophy- Mercedes GP
- Alec Ulmann Trophy (Sebring)-1954 OSCA MT-4
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