Nestled along the scenic coast of northeast Florida, the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance is a must-visit event for automotive enthusiasts and collectors alike. Held annually at the prestigious Ritz-Carlton and Golf Club of Amelia Island, this world-class gathering showcases some of the rarest and most exquisite automobiles from across the globe. The event offers a stunning display of automotive history, craftsmanship, and innovation, from vintage classics to cutting-edge supercars.
RADwood at The Amelia
The main event is the exclusive Concours event on the grounds of the Ritz Carlton. But just outside the paid gates is an event that has overtaken the American car world over the past few years. RADwood is a car show celebrating the 1980s and 1990s automotive culture, blending period-correct cars, fashion, and music for a totally rad experience.
The name is a play on “Rad” (slang for cool in the era) and Goodwood, the prestigious classic car festival. Expect Ferraris, Japanese icons, and plenty of neon vibes!
“Oh yeah, dat’s da one.”
This Rolls’ owners were former polo players. They had it decked out for a lovely afternoon at the polo grounds, complete with a wicker picnic basket, champagne flutes, flowers, and more.
The Amelia Concours d’Elegance
The Amelia Concours d’Elegance celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2025. Due to anticipated inclement weather, the main event was rescheduled from Sunday to Saturday. Usually, entrance to the Concours d’Elegance is a more expensive ticket that is only for one day. This year, the cheaper Saturday ticket includes Concours entry, so the event is packed with people.
The show featured over 275 historically significant vehicles across 35 car classes, showcasing a diverse range of automotive excellence.
A favorite for me is this Aston Martin DB5 with fully functional Bond accouterments from Goldfinger.
Machine guns appear from behind turn signals…
Tire shredders extend from the wheel hubs. I am kind of a sucker for movie cars.
Lots of supercars on the show field at The Amelia Concours d’Elegance, including this incredible Aston Martin Valkyrie with beautiful green carbon fiber.
Racing Cars at The Amelia
In addition to the show field, there are lots of other events for auto enthusiasts, such as the Broad Arrow Auction, a free Ride & Drive Experience where you could test-drive classic and modern vehicles free of charge, and the Legends of Speed Dinner honoring four-time Indy 500 winner Hélio Castroneves.
Since he is the year’s honoree, three of his race cars were on the show field.
The best-of-show winner for the racing class was this Ex-Jim Clark Lotus 49 F1 Car. I love this era of racing, these Lotus cars, and obviously the judges do, too.
Looking at this 1974 Mario Andretti VPJ4 F1 car, I am amazed at how compact the cockpit is. If I got in, I almost certainly wouldn’t be able to get out!
Mario, below, piloting the car through the 1975 Spanish GP at Circuit de Montjuic.
Yenko Corvette Racing
Don Yenko, the founder of Yenko Chevrolet, was a dealer and a skilled racer who recognized the Corvette’s potential on the track. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Yenko campaigned Corvettes in road racing events, including the SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) series, where he and his team competed against the best sports cars of the era. His racing success helped solidify the Corvette’s reputation as a true American sports car.
IROC Racing Series
The IROC Racing Series is well-represented on the show field. Early IROC race cars from Niki Lauda and Cale Yarborough, to mid-year entries from Dale Earnhardt and Rusty Wallace, to final-year Firebirds from Hélio Castroneves and Mark Martin.
More Racing Cars
The show field is packed with racing history, from the La Carrera Panamericana Porsche racer to vintage Mille Miglia cars.
More Production Cars
It’s hard to single out cars from this impressive field, but here are a few more that attracted my lens. The blend of old innovations with the new keeps your eye interested.
This Mercedes-Benz 300 SL won a well-deserved best-in-class award.
The history of this Juan Peron-owned Ferrari makes for an interesting entrant.
Wrapping Up The Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance
The Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance remains a top automotive event, celebrating passion for classic cars, racing, and automotive excellence. Whether you love the timeless elegance of classic cars, the more recent nostalgia of RADwood, or the adrenaline of historic race cars, this event offers something for every enthusiast.
If you plan to attend next year, check the official website for updates: Amelia Concours d’Elegance.
See also my past visit to the Amelia Island Concours from 2015.
Comments (1)
Great event! Enjoyed viewing the photos you took of the cars!