Named Best in Show at The Amelia
During the 28th annual Amelia Concours d'Elegance, a 1935 Voisin C25 Aerodyne and a 1964 Ferrari 250 LM were named Best in Show. In 2023, the Golf Club of Amelia Island and the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island played home to some of the most impressive competition cars and drivers in the world. Jeff Gordon, four-time winner of the NASCAR Cup Series and current Vice Chairman of Hendrick Motorsport, was the weekend's featured recipient.
"Racing is where drivers and machines meet in their purest form -- and The Amelia is where the best of both gather," said McKeel Hagerty, Chairman of The Amelia and CEO of Hagerty. "We would like to congratulate Merle and Peter Mullin and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum team on their well-earned honors. Thank you to all of our guests, entrants and volunteers for helping us celebrate the belief that certain cars are just super important, deserving of celebration and recognition."
1935 Voisin C25 Aerodyne – 2023 Best in Show – Concours d’Elegance
The Best in Show Concours d'Elegance Trophy went to a 1935 Voisin C25 Aerodyne from Oxnard, California, that was shown by Merle and Peter Mullin.
2023 Amelia BOS SFD
The Aerodyne was Voisin's "Car of the Future" - an automobile that sought to capitalize upon the public's growing fascination with streamlining and aerodynamics. It was first shown in October 1934 at the 28th Paris Salon de 'Automobile and was considered avant-garde, even in an era of progressive design. In the spring of 1935, Voisin displayed this special Aerodyne at the Lyon Fair and at the concours d'elegance at the Place Bellecour. With its two-tone paint, low faired-in headlights, high beltline, skirted rear fenders, and power, retractable roof, this Aerodyne cut a profile unlike anything else. In total, 28 C25s were produced; including six Aerodynes, four of which survive.
"We had some serious contenders and I am honored that they chose us to win," said Best in Show – Concours d’Elegance winner Merle Mullin. "I have the blessing of being married to a passionate collector who has never restored a car with an eye to winning a prize. His intention is always to restore a car to its historical correctness. But winning a prize is always greatly validating."
1964 Ferrari 250 LM – Best in Show – Concours de Sport
The Best in Show Concours de Sport was awarded to a 1964 Ferrari 250 LM displayed by Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum of Indianapolis, Indiana.
2023 Amelia Concours - Best in Show 0004A - Deremer Studios LLC
While most of the attention at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1965 focused on the battle between the "factory" team entries of Ferrari and Ford, it was a privately-entered, one-year-old 3.3-liter V-12 Ferrari 250 LM that caused a major upset by winning when the favored entries encountered difficulties. Entered by Luigi Chinetti's North American Racing Team (NART), American Masten Gregory partnered with future world champion Jochen Rindt of Austria for the unexpected win. The pair completed 347 laps of the 8.365-mile circuit, averaging 120.944 mph over 24 hours. This victory was the last time a Ferrari won overall at Le Mans. In the years after its 1965 victory, this 250 LM competed at the 24 Hours of Daytona in 1966 and 1968. It returned to the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1968 and 1969, before its final race at the 1970 24 Hours of Daytona, where it finished seventh. Shortly after its final race, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum acquired the Ferrari 250 LM.
"This win is very special and was a complete surprise," said Jason Vansickle, Vice President, Curation and Education, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. "Obviously the car speaks for itself - the last Ferrari to win outright at Le Mans, and it's just one of the many prestigious cars we have at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum."
On Saturday, March 4, Broad Arrow Auctions, the hotel's formal auction house, held its first auction there. After a successful trial on March 2 and 3, the auction room was full as Lydia Fenet, the company's chief operating officer, and Alain Squindo, the auction reader, ran the sale. A 2015 McLaren P1 set a new sale world record when it sold for $2,425,000. The auction had an overall sell-through rate of over 80%. At the midday auction, Broad Arrow sold a 1997 Acura Integra Type R for $151,200, a 1991 AMG 6.0 Widebody Coupe for $885,000. and a 2002 Lotus Esprit V8 25th Anniversary Edition for $193,200, a new record for a non-Bond Esprit.
On March 2, 2023, the Amelia hosted the Annual Porsche Winemaker's Dinner as part of a weekend-long festival of automobiles and motorsports. Other events included a seminar on the history of the Corvette at Le Mans and a screening of "The Quest." On Saturday, Griot's Garage hosted Cars & Community, featuring RADwood, Concours d'Lemons, Future Driver's Club, Ride & Drives, a Bavarian beer garden, and a specially designed Cars & Caffeine. The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island hosted an Honoree Luncheon that night to toast Jeff Gordon with fine fare and drinks. As part of its Amelia Concours d'Elegance on Sunday, 260 classic cars were displayed across 32 categories. Jeff Gordon's Cars, the 120th Anniversary of Buick, Limited Production Supercars, and the Winners of the 24 Hours of Le Mans were among the featured divisions.