The Amelia Concours d'Elegance awards top honors to a historic Alfa Romeo and iconic Lotus Formula 1 car.
A stunning 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 and a groundbreaking 1967 Lotus 49 Formula 1 racer took top honors at the 30th annual Amelia Concours d'Elegance, capturing Best of Show awards among more than 240 distinguished vehicles.
The Alfa Romeo 8C 2900, chassis number 412028, was awarded Best of Show in the Concours d'Elegance category. Originally commissioned by Italian racing legend Giuseppe Farina, the vehicle is believed to have been a prototype entry for the prestigious 1938 Mille Miglia. The Alfa features unique specifications distinguishing it from other Sport 8C models, notably a shorter chassis and a distinctive exhaust design. Owner Deborah Keller expressed emotional gratitude following the win, reflecting on her late husband's passion for the event and their shared automotive enthusiasm.
Meanwhile, the Best of Show Concours de Sport honor was awarded to the Lotus 49, chassis number 49/2, famous for introducing the Cosworth DFV engine to Formula 1. Driven to victory by racing legends Jimmy Clark, Jackie Oliver, Jo Siffert, and later piloted by Mario Andretti, this specific Lotus has a distinguished race pedigree, including triumphs at Silverstone and Watkins Glen. Owner Chris MacAllister attributed his lifelong passion for racing to watching Clark's triumph at Indianapolis, noting the significance of his Lotus in automotive history.
This year's event at The Ritz-Carlton on Amelia Island drew an impressive attendance of 17,000 guests, raising $119,000 for local charities and showcasing more than a century of automotive history. Special appearances included four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Hélio Castroneves and actor-turned-racer Patrick Dempsey.
McKeel Hagerty, chairman of The Amelia, celebrated the enduring enthusiasm for exceptional automobiles and acknowledged the community's support in making the annual gathering a continued success.
