Inside the world's most prestigious car event

The original Bullitt Mustang and F1 legends star at Amelia Island 2018

Now in its third decade, the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance is one of the world’s greatest automotive events and a must for lovers of classic cars.

This year's event featured hundreds of stunning – and in many cases historically important – vehicles, among them one of the two Bullitt Mustangs driven by Steve McQueen in the iconic '60s movie Bullitt.

Other highlights included a special presentation in honour of Formula One and IndyCar legend Emerson Fittipaldi plus everything from Ferraris, Lancias, Bentleys and Corvettes to some seriously wacky US hot rods. 

Here's our pick of the show.

Bullitt Mustang

So here it is, then: the Holy Grail of Mustangs, AKA the original Bullitt Mustang used in the filming of Steve McQueen's classic cops'n'cars movie Bullitt. 

Of the two ’68 Mustang GTs used in the '60s film, this is the best preserved, having been locked away in a garage for nearly four decades and only resurfacing a few months ago.

Shelby Lone Star

Just one Shelby Lone Star ever existed, and for the first time since the early 1970s, it resurfaced – fully restored and in pristine condition – at Amelia Island 2018.

This prototype car was created by both Carroll Shelby and John Wyer Automotive Engineering (JWAE) in Slough, and its lines represent a mix of the Shelby Cobra and Ford GT40; it's an interesting combination of 427 Cobra replacement, exotic concept car and racer.

Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona

Now this one's got quite the history: it's the Ferrari Daytona that the late Dan Gurney and motoring journalist Brock Yates drove in the inaugural Cannonball Baker Sea to Shining Sea Memorial Trophy Dash. Or, to use its better-known name, the Cannonball Run.

The Sunoco Blue Ferrari was capable of blistering speeds – although Gurney famously quipped after the race that he never exceeded 175mph – and unsurprisingly powered to victory in the race, which took place in November 1971.

1966 Ferrari 365P Berlinetta Speciale

The McLaren F1 is significant for its driver-centric three-across seating, but was hardly the first exotic mid-engined GT to be so.

For proof, look no further than the 1966 'Tre posti' Ferrari, which was originally born a racing car, then redesigned and reconfigured by Luigi Chinetti's North American Racing Teams as a dazzling concept car.

Best(s) in Show

It would be hard to imagine a more representative and deserving pair of Best in Show winners than Harry Yeaggy’s perfectly proportioned and executed Duesenberg convert, and JSL Collection’s race-winning 1963 Ferrari 250/275.

The 1929 Duesenberg J/SJ Convertible, which took the overall Best in Show award, has Murphy roadster-style coachwork that was restyled in period by Bohman & Schwartz. Styling changes included a lengthened hood, slotted fenders and more modern bumpers. 

The 1963 Ferrari 250/275P, meanwhile, was named Best in Show for the Concours de Sport class. It was far from its first victory, though, having won the 1963 ADAC Nurburgring 1,000kms with John Surtees and Willy Mairesse driving, and the 1964 Sebring 12 Hours with Mike Parkes and Umberto Maglioli behind the wheel. 

Emerson Fittipaldi

The 2018 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance honoree was Emerson Fittipaldi, and he proved an incredibly popular choice.

His racing pedigree was certainly never in doubt; he twice won the Formula One Drivers' Championship – with Lotus in 1972 and McLaren in '74 – and also took first place in the Indianapolis 500 in 1989 and 1993 during a hugely successful career that spanned more than 25 years.

Now a sprightly 71-year-old, Emmo – sporting his trademark sideburns – appeared to genuinely enjoy himself at Amelia Island, posing for countless selfies, signing hundreds of autographs, and smiling throughout.

Lotus 72 Cosworth

The first of Fittipaldi's F1 titles came in 1972 at the wheel of this JPS-sponsored Lotus 72 Cosworth. He was at the time the youngest driver to win the Drivers' championship.

IROC Porsche

Fittipaldi also participated several times in the American International Race of Champions spec series, which was in its first year run with specially built 3.0-litre Carrera RSRs such as this one.

1912 Rauch & Lang TC Brougham

Early electric cars were rarely thought of as luxury transport for the rich. The exception would be this elegant R & L Town Car, which featured not only a luxuriously appointed cabin but which was also at one time owned by the dean of electricity himself, Thomas Edison.

Chevrolet Corvette SR-2

This factory-designed-and-sanctioned one-off Corvette racer was styled somewhat similar to that of the successful and stunningly beautiful Jaguar D-type that so cleaned up at the race tracks in the mid-late 1950s.

Various Lancias

Florida’s Campion family rolled out this marvellous display of Lancia rally monsters, including a Martini team support Fiat van; this assemblage proved a major crowd favourite.

In the foreground is the Lancia Beta Montecarlo driven by Eddie Cheever, Michele Alboreto and Carlo Facetti to 8th place in the 1981 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Lister and friends

In the unlikely event that Amelia attendees tired of heavy classics and brass-era iron, they could instead be dazzled by the impressive racing hardware on show.

This snarling Lister, and the fabulous Ferrari Monza racer and pair of Porsches beside it, give you an idea of what was on display.

Bentley R Type Continental

This year’s post-war Bentley class was small but mighty, yet none mightier than this class-winning R Type Continental, painted the deepest, richest dark metallic blue you can imagine.

Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost

One of the special categories for 2018 was 'hunting cars', outfitted by the well-to-do who needed a fine motor in which to hunt. This 1925 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost 'hunter' was among the most dazzling of this unusual grouping of cars.

Ed Roth 1956 Ford F-100 truck

Ed Roth was a painter, designer, custom car builder and artist who came up with countless over-the-top and fun-loving show rods back in the day, and also the equally over-the-top Rat Fink cartoon character.

The sign on the door of this truck – one of Roth's own – claims he will pinstripe “any car for $4.00”.

Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder

New Yorker Peter Kalikow has a stable of fabulous exotic and GT machinery in his underground Manhattan car park, and his ride of choice for Amelia 2018 was this mouthwatering Ferrari 250 Spyder California.

Continental Mark II

Known for its elegant restrained styling, perfect proportions, and handbuilt quality, this 1956 Continental Mk II took big honours in the Limited Production American category.

Fun fact: the big hump on the back of the car is a design nod to the original 1940s Lincoln Continental, which also carried its spare tyre mounted on its rear. And now you know why a car’s spare tyre hump is often referred to as a Continental Kit.

Chairman Warner

Bill Warner is the main man behind the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance: founder, chairman and all round "good karma generator".  

One of the more impressive bits of humble showmanship that takes place a the show each year is that the entire judging team – this year consisting of 135 automotive experts, restorers, authors and media, museum curators, artists and racing drivers – line up on the field as Chairman Warner – without the benefit of notes or flash cards, introduces each judge by name, area of specialty, and home town.

And he gets them all correct, every year, including this one. 

Keep scrolling for more images from the show