Amelia Island Anticipation

February 18, 2016 Michael Carnell Auctions & Sales, Classic Cars, Events, Highlights Comments Off

The Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance is only a few weeks away now – less than a month. And yes, I am ripe with anticipation. So are quite a few other people, although perhaps “ripe” may not be the most appropriate word. As best as can be forecast this far out, the weather looks like it will be beautiful. It is right now anyway – down here in the semi-balmy South.

Let we forget in our automotive excitement, the true goal of the weekend is to raise money for the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance Foundation, a 501(c)(3) corporation. The Foundation has donated over $2.5 million since 1996 to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, Spina Bifida of Jacksonville, the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society, Shop with Cops, Micah’s Place and other worthy charitable organizations across North Florida.

This money is raised through everything from entrance fees and concession sales to the live and silent auctions. Besides the two different shows, one Saturday and the true Concours on Sunday, the auctions are what draw many people to Amelia Island. There is the show run silent auction and then two separate live auctions.

The annual Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance Silent Auction is honestly like walking into a toy store and candy shop all in one. From autographed automobilia, original paintings and celebrity autographed items to gift certificates from local and international destinations. There is something for everyone including a section set aside just for children, true children, to bid. For the connoisseur, there is fine jewelry, collectible watches, original art and autographed limited edition prints. Trust me, it will be a dangerous place – but in a good way!

As for the live auction, that is a bit different. Since 1999, RM Sotheby’s has been the official auction house of the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, presenting an incredible selection of the world’s most desirable automobiles at the prestigious Ritz-Carlton and setting numerous auction benchmarks in the process.

In 2015, RM Sotheby’s achieved an outstanding $60 million in sales, with an unprecedented 100 percent of all lots sold. The impressive result represented not only the highest total ever for a sale held during the Amelia Island week, but also exceeded the combined tally of all other auctions held during the 2015 Amelia Island week, reaffirming RM Sotheby’s clear market leadership. The 2016 event is expected to build on this success, bringing another carefully curated roster of elegant coach-built classics, important sports and racing cars, and late model collectibles to market.

Take a look at a few interesting British items that will be available in the live auction …

1957 Arnolt-Bristol Bolide Roadster by Bertone – A strong runner ready to drive, this wonderfully storied Arnolt-Bristol is ideal for all forms of vintage sports car racing. Arnolt-Bristols are enthusiastically received by major motoring events worldwide, including the Copperstate and Mille Miglia.

1932 MG F-Type Magna Two-Seater Sports – F2 Magnas were among the great unsung sporting machines of their era. The car offered here, from the stable of a known classic MG connoisseur, offers a new owner the opportunity to enjoy such performance on the rallies and tours of his or her choice.

1964 Peel P50 – Certainly one of the nicest P50s to survive today, this car benefits from a quality restoration and notable provenance in the Weiner collection. However, its highest value is as incredible entertainment, as seen in use by Jeremy Clarkson during an episode of Top Gear featuring the model. It is the conversation piece to end all conversation pieces, and its fun factor is as astounding as its fuel economy. There is nothing else quite like it—or quite as small!

1934 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental Sedanca Drophead Coupe by H.J. Mulliner – Phantom II Continentals in any guise are rare and desirable. To find one so beautifully intact is even more special; this example boasts excellent, long-term known history, with only a handful of caretakers in the last half-century, and retains its original engine, chassis, and body, with attractive period updates. Known, respected, and indisputably among the most attractive of its kind, it is an automobile guaranteed to turn heads on the Continent or when displayed on a show field, in the hands of a modern-day aristocrat.

Again, these are just a very few of the British cars available in the auction, not to mention the wide variety of cars of other nationalities. See yet why the anticipation is getting to us? Be sure to check out the full RM Sotheby’s auction listing or even better, check out the online edition of the Sothebys Amelia Island catalog. (Note that the catalog link will not work on mobile.)

Michael Carnell

Editor at Just British

Michael Carnell is the editor and founder of the Just British Online Motoring Magazine. As a lifelong British car enthusiast, he has owned or driven British cars of all ages from Austins and MGs to Jaguars and Triumphs. He currently owns a 1966 Vanden Plas Princess 1100 and a 1977 MGB. But there is always room for more - no matter what his wife says.