Mercedes-Benz 540K reigns at Amelia Island concours

One-off Benz captures judges’ hearts in Florida

The Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance is the first major concours of the year, where some of the world’s most rare and expensive classics compete for concours supremacy.

And yesterday this unique Mercedes-Benz scooped the day’s most coveted gong: Best in Show, Concours d’Elegance.

Pictured alongside it is the Best in Show, Concours de Sport winner, a Ferrari 335S Spyder that’s been campaigned by such heroes as Juan Manuel Fangio, Sir Stirling Moss and Mike Hawthorn, among others.

Two well-deserved victors, then, but they’re just the icing on the cake at this event – click on to see some of the other stars.

Four-day celebration

Held at The Ritz-Carlton hotel resort in Amelia Island, Florida, between 7-10 March, the season-opening concours d’elegance saves the best until last with the biggest prizes handed out on the final day.

But with car shows and meets, auctions and more, it’s a four-day automotive extravaganza that attracts a wide range of visitors.

Bonkers Beetle

We really do mean all sorts – take a look at this 1969 Volkswagen Wedding Beetle!

Built by hand in Mexico, it was, as its name suggests, used for weddings. Six copies were made, each with a unique wrought-iron pattern.

The most famous 356C?

Or what about this eye-catching ’64 Porsche 356C?

In September 1968 it was bought by Janis Joplin for around $3500 and then transformed into a work of art incorporating elements that had meaning for Joplin – it’s the epitome of the swinging ’60s.

Joplin kept the Porsche until her death in 1970, after which her family gave it to her manager. It is now part of the Off Brothers Collection.

The cream of the crop

But let’s return to the stars of the show – and address the winner by its full name: it’s a 1938 Mercedes-Benz 540K Autobahn-Kurier.

Now kept in The Keller Collection at the Pyramids in California and based on the W29, 2019’s Best of Show, Concours d’Elegance made its debut at the 1934 Berlin motor show, advertised as a car for speeding along Germany’s motorways – indeed, Mercedes claimed the wind at such speeds defined the car’s shape.

The now Ohio-based Ferrari, meanwhile, left the factory as a 290MM, upgraded to a 315S and then a 335S, and was campaigned across three seasons in contests including the Mille Miglia, the Le Mans 24 Hour race, and the 1000km tests of endurance at the Nüburgring and in Caracas. It can now add Amelia Island’s Best in Show, Concours de Sport prize to its trophy cabinet.

That wasn’t the only special Mercedes...

This 1929 Mercedes-Benz 710SS was built for none other than Rudolf Caracciola for that year’s Irish Tourist Trophy – which he won, gaining the 'Regenmeister' (Rain Master) nickname en route.

And it was also a winner yesterday, taking home the Mercedes-Benz Club of America Award for the most historically significant Mercedes-Benz.

Not only that, but it’s from the same collection as the overall concours victor.

Another win for Ferrari

Ferrari 250GTs are no strangers to concours competitions and this short-wheelbase Speciale from 1961 graced Amelia Island at the weekend.

A full factory competition car with an alloy, Pininfarina-penned body in the style of a 400 Superamerica, it has never been raced.

It was awarded The Kelly Services Trophy for the most elegant sports car.

Prowling cats

There was a single-model class for Jaguar XK120s at this year’s Amelia Island – and this 1954 example was one of the winners.

Mitch and Kim McCullough took one of two Amelia Awards presented in the XK120 class back to their New Jersey home after the judges were wowed by their car.

We’re pleased to hear it doesn’t just look the part – they’ve driven it on the Mille Miglia.

The number one VW

This is rather different – which perhaps helped it on its way to the Volkswagen of America Trophy for the most elegant coachwork Volkswagen. So, what is it?

A 1951 Volkswagen Rometsch Beeskow Coupé, that’s what. Rometsch cars were hand-built in Berlin with a steel frame and wooden pillars, with an aluminium body.

This model takes its rear lights from a Fiat 1100D and its front indicators from a Ferrari 375 Mille Miglia.

Lights, camera...

Glinting in the Florida sun, this wooden 1924 Delage GL Skiff is thought to be one of only six GL chassis still in existence and wore a Labourdette body when new. Power comes from a 5954cc 'six' with 100bhp.

This car was discovered in the 1970s and restored, before appearing – albeit in a minor role – in the 1981 film Chariots of Fire. It is now kept in Michigan.

The body beautiful

The display of European cars bearing custom coachwork included Robert Kauffman’s 1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Sports Tourer, shown here on the far right.

Next to it is Meg McCarthy’s 1949 Delahaye Malmaison Cabriolet.

Porsche 962

Porsche 962s also had a class to themselves at this year’s Amelia Island concours – and what a sight they were!

This ex-Bell, Wollek and Andretti 1987 962-108C now belongs to Johnny Gray, and it was recognised with The Daytona International Speedway Trophy, given to the most significant car to race at the Daytona International Speedway.

Eight of the best

There can be few events in the world where there are enough Ferrari 250 SWBs to warrant their own concours class!

But Amelia Island is one of them and this 1963 250GT SWB Berlinetta, from Scuderia Bella Rossa, received one of the category’s two Amelia Awards.

Eight cars contested this class, with David F MacNeil’s 1960 example taking the top prize.