After the amazing turn-out of 22 Ferrari 250 GTOs at Pebble Beach, a huge showing is expected again when the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance celebrates the landmark, 39-off model next year.
The Florida event in March, now in its 17th year, will gather as many of the cars as possible as it celebrates its 50th anniversary, having made its racing debut locally, at the 1962 12 Hours of Sebring. Driven by Olivier Gendebien and Phil Hill, the GTO took a class win and second overall on its first outing and went not to dominate GT racing for three years.
"We've had Ferrari GTOs on the show field before, but what we have planned for 2012 should astonish even the most devoted Ferrari aficionado," said Bill Warner, Amelia founder and chairman. "This remarkable sports car is the ultimate GT machine to generations of collectors and racers alike and is one of the most coveted of all the Ferraris. I can't wait to hear those incredible V12s cross the 18th fairway on Sunday morning."
The picture shows the Equipe National Belge GTO at Le Mans in 1962. It was driven to third by Leon Dernier and Jean Blaton. Pierre Noblet and Jean Guichet were second in another GTO, but the race was won by Gendebien and Hill in a Ferrari 330
James Elliott is a former Editor of Classic & Sports Car