Amelia Island 2016
Diversity and Beauty
May 2016
For those of you who like me were not able to make the trip to Florida to savor the event that opens the top tier Concours scene, I’m happy to present via Connie Schmitt a look at Amelia Island 2016. The weather was typically gorgeous and car selection breathtaking.
Best of show did not include a Mercedes – Louwman Museum’s 1952 Pegaso Z-102 and The Nethercutt Collection’s 1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom II took those honors – but there was something for every Mercedes enthusiast’s tastes. Fintail lovers had a chance for a close look at the factory’s highly prepared 220SE vintage touring car racer and of course there were Gullwings and Roadsters on view as well.
It’s rare to see a few very early Mercedes Grand Prix cars and those of George Wingard and Hal Fillinger fascinated with their unique materials and technical facets. Amelia is on many of our wish lists but for now the images below will have to suffice. Thanks very much to Connie Schmitt for providing this glimpse.
Amelia Island – Mercedes-Benz on display.
Clockwise from upper left: How about a moss green 600 SWB fitted with red leather? A mis-guided restorer’s color/trim combination? Nope. Factory correct! Shown by Guy Lewis from Pinecrest. RM Auctions offered this 1939 540K Special Roadster Cabriolet A. It was a no sale against an estimate of $3m-$4m. Oddball 1938 230S/W153 Special Roadster shown by Schnuerer CarBarn. Breathtaking 1938 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Tourer shown by Bill and Barbara Parfet. I’ve seen this car up close at Pebble Beach and it is stunning. Oddball 1938 230S/W153 Special Roadster shown by Schnuerer CarBarn – some Special Roadsters are rather more special than others…
Clockwise from upper left: Mercedes Classic Center’s competition 220SE is the coolest – and probably most expensive – fintail on the planet. Wingard’s Grand Prix car required a few spare tires as well. Brass and copper finishes embellish the open valve train on this 1912 Mercedes Special/Racecar shown by Hal Fillinger, Harleysville, PA. 1912 Mercedes Special/Racecar – Hal Fillinger, Harleysville, PA
Clockwise from upper left: This stunning 1958 300SL roadster was shown by Rick and Jane Nowak of Wallingford, CT. 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300S Coupe – Craig Kappel, Chatham, MA. 1959 190SL shown by BMP Yellow Car Collection out of Eagle Mountain Lake, Texas. Rudge wheels and fitted luggage distinguish the 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Coupe of Nardi Bress from Charlottesville, VA.
roy spencer/editor mercedesheritage.com
photography/connie schmitt