The Concours D’Elegance and Festivals of Speed take place this weekend at Amelia Island.
Hey speed enthusiasts – Got plans for the weekend? If you’re in the area, E3 Spark Plugs recommends you take a joy ride to Amelia Island, Florida for the Festivals of Speed and Concours D’Elegance.
The Festivals of Speed revs up with a Luxury Lifestyle Cocktail Reception at the tony Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort on Friday evening. Smooth jazz, premium handcrafted cocktails, luxury product displays and some casual conversation with fellow car buffs.
But the real draw begins on Saturday with the Festival of Speed’s display of dozens of the world’s most exotic cars, motorcycles and watercraft on the resort’s 9th fairway. This year’s event celebrates 50 years of Lamborghini and a full century of Aston Martin. Special displays will feature some of the most beautiful Aston Martins and hottest Lamborghinis around. And it all benefits the Spina Bifida Organization of Jacksonville.
Throughout the weekend, the Concors D’Elegance goes on at the uber-ritzy Ritz Carlton and the Golf Club of Amelia Island at Summer Beach. The area’s most exclusive auto show this year celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Porche 911 and the Ford GT40, as well as the cars of Harry Miller, the designer and builder called “the greatest creative figure in the history of the American racing car.”
Miller was most active in the 1920s and 1930s and his cars were much more than beautiful works of automotive art. They were powerful, too. Miller-built cars won the Indianapolis 500 nine times and others using his engines won three more. In fact, Millers accounted for 83 percent of the Indy 500 fields between 1923 and 1928.
On display this weekend are two Miller-built race cars, Edsel’s Ford, a prototype of the first Cadillac to bear the Coupe de Ville not displayed in public in 64 years, and the only original Lamborghini Miura Roadster ever built. Some new rides will be displayed as well, including the 2014 Corvette Sting Ray.
The 2013 event’s honoree is Sam Posey, a retired American racecar driver and sports broadcast journalist.
Will you attend the Festivals of Speed or the Concours D’Elegance Amelia Island? Post your pics and thoughts on the E3 Spark Plugs Facebook Fan Page.
