Sneak Preview of the 27th Annual Amelia Concours d’Elegance: A motoring event unlike any other
If there is one thing to expect for the upcoming Amelia Concours d’Elegance, the conclusion of the multi-day event that is The Amelia, it’s to expect the unexpected. With more than 225 cars in attendance representing 22 classes, the concours field on Sunday, March 6, 2022, will delight, surprise, and amaze even the most knowledgeable of automotive enthusiasts.
- What: The 27th Annual Amelia Concours d’Elegance
- Where: The Golf Club of Amelia Island and The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island
- When: Sunday, March 6, 2022
- How to Buy Tickets: ameliaconcours.com/event/tickets
- For More Information, visit: ameliaconcours.com
Cars of Chip Ganassi’s Career
Honoree Chip Ganassi will be celebrated with cars from his legendary racing career. Ganassi owns what’s arguably the most successful race team in America, an operation that’s won 14 Indy car championships and six IMSA sports car titles, not to mention the Daytona 500, the Indianapolis 500, and 24 Hours of Le Mans.
In attendance will be one of the four Ford GTs that were part of the Ford Chip Ganassi Racing program that raced during the 2016–2019 seasons in IMSA & World Endurance Championship (WEC). Chassis 007 won four victories over the course of the program: in 2017, Daytona 24 Hours and Road America; in 2018, Watkins Glen and Lime Rock.
Rare Japanese Sports Cars
Ever heard of the Hino Contessa 1300S? How about the Isuzu Bellett GT-R? Odds are you haven’t, but you’ll see both of them at Amelia.
Hino Motors built the Contessa (Italian for countess) from 1961 to 1969. Unlike most rear-engined, rear-drive automobiles of the period, the Contessa’s engine was water-cooled rather than air-cooled. The second-generation Contessa was introduced in September 1964 with a coupe designed by Giovanni Michelotti. Only 3000 Contessas were built worldwide; the car that will be shown at Amelia is the only known example in the United States.
The Isuzu Bellet GT-R debuted for the 1969 model year and was totally unexpected for the brand. It sported a dual overhead cam 1600-cc engine with twin carbs, which was good for an impressive 136 horsepower. Four-wheel independent suspension with stiff shocks, anti-roll bars, and front disc brakes assured that the chassis could handle that power up to the car’s 120-mph top speed.
Isuzu was very proud of the Bellett GT-R and wanted the world to know when they saw one. The cars sported Type R badging on both sides, the front grille, and rear. Black side stripes and a blacked-out hood completed the not-so-subtle look. Only 1400 units were built in the three-year production run.
Davis Motorcars
When World War II ended in 1945, civilian cars were in short supply. Demand was high—from car-starved civilians who’d had to make do for the duration, as well as from returning vets with saved-up combat pay.
As a result, consumers would buy virtually anything on wheels—and in this case, three wheels. The Davis three-wheeler, built by fast-talking used-car salesman named Glen Gordon “Gary” Davis, received a great deal of publicity, but that proved to be short-lived. In a case very similar to Preston Tucker and his fabled Tucker 48 “Torpedo,” Davis was indicted and subsequently convicted of sales fraud. Davis served time in jail for conning a legion of would-be new dealers into thinking he could supply them with production copies of his odd $995 tri-car.
A total of 13 Davis cars and an unknown number of Davis Jeeps were built. Jeff Lane is an expert on Davis cars and owns the prototype, named “Baby,” along with another Davis. “Twelve of the 13 cars built survive today,” he says, “and three of the Davis Jeeps are accounted for.”
Six of those Davises will be at Amelia, including Lane’s “Baby” and one of the Jeeps. “This will be most likely the largest gathering of Davises in one place since the cars were built,” says Lane. “It’s a chance of a lifetime to see them!”
75 Years of Ferrari
On March 12, 1947, Enzo Ferrari drove out of his factory in Maranello, Italy, in the first Ferrari ever made, and drove into history. Some of the most incredible and desirable sports cars ever made have worn the iconic yellow shield with the prancing black stallion. In honor of Ferrari’s 75 years, we have assembled a host of the very best examples of the marque. From one of the earliest Ferraris, a 1949 166 MM up to a 2015 LaFerrari, and many models in between, the Ferrari Class at Amelia will surprise and delight lovers of the beloved Italian automaker.
These are just a few of the exciting classes that will be featured at the 27th Annual Amelia Concours d’Elegance on Sunday, March 6, 2022. To learn more about the concours and to get details on purchasing tickets, visit us at ameliaconcours.com.
