Photography by David S. Wallens
What happens when you pack a ton of cool cars into a relatively small area? You start taking photos–at least we do. Here are 10 of our favorites from the past weekend in Amelia Island, Florida, and of course we’d love to hear yours.
A few years ago, legendary NASCAR crew chief Ray Evernham built something called the Ghost–an old-school-looking hotrod loosely based on a 1936 Chevrolet. In addition to vintage racing it, Ray has run it up Pikes Peak, winning the Exhibition class in 2018. It joined several other Pikes Peak racers on the grounds of The Amelia on Sunday.
[What makes the best track car? We ask the experts.]
Worried about getting a rock chip on your car? Mark Pribanic isn’t, as he drives his Porsche 356 everywhere. Define “everywhere”? From his Florida home, he’s hit the entire Lower 48 plus a few Canadian provinces. He has put hundreds of thousands of miles on the car and was asked to show it at The Amelia alongside several unrestored classics.
The Paddock Classic Car Restoration was tasked with building the ultimate Ferrari 348. So the folks at the shop added the flares, sprayed the dragon’s blood paint, and stuck a Ferrari Challenge engine in the rear–it fits, they say, but it’s not a bolt-in project. The shop constantly welcomed a crowd at our Classic Motorsports Amelia Island Kickoff presented by Sunoco.
Paul Casarona’s Jaguar C-type re-creation stopped traffic at our Classic Motorsports Amelia Island Kickoff presented by Sunoco. It also took home best-in-show honors.
Radwood? No, The Amelia, the weekend’s main show for priceless collectible cars. This year’s Amelia welcomed a class for ’90s Japanese performance cars, with Chris Graff bringing his 1998 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo V. It’s been converted to left-hand drive and is one of 521 originally painted Dandelion Yellow. It looked right out of Grand Turismo.
If one engine is good, two are better, right? Part of VW’s collection and on display both at Radwood and The Amelia: the twin-engine, 650-horsepower Volkswagen Golf that almost won Pikes Peak in 1987. We featured the car back then and again a few years ago.
This one followed us into the Radwood greens, and holy cow, it’s loud. It’s said to be the only E30-chassis Gemballa 3 Series in the States. Straight pipe for the win.
Perhaps the ultimate “Miami Vice” bad guy car? We saw this white-on-white Lamborghini Countach at The Hangar Amelia Island–$350 a head but unlimited food and drink–and then again at the big show.
The morning of our Classic Motorsports Amelia Island Kickoff, we admit, things weren’t looking so good. The weather was trying to turn Main Beach Park into a mud bog. But what came strolling in without a care in the world? Sean Myers’ 2001 BMW M3 Wagon.
This one had GRM forum written all over it: Car Cave USA showed up to Concours d’Lemons, held in conjunction with our Classic Motorsports Amelia Island Kickoff presented by Sunoco, in a 2001 PT Cruiser stretch limo.
And, really, this could have been our hundred favorite cars. So many cool cars there.
This one blew a head gasket. I got to help push it off the show grounds–and then down the block and through an intersection.
Without clicking this link, can you ID it?
Hint: It’s from the Lane Motor Museum, and that’s Jeff Lane hooking up the tow strap.
There's something about that Ferrari 348 that epitomizes the era.
How about a bonus car–although, really, this should have been a list a hundred cars. (Who assigned this story?)
The Porsche 911 GTI-98–like, the Le Mans-winning Porsche 911 GT1-98–sat on the Radwood show field: no ropes, no handlers. There was a sign, though, saying DO NOT TOUCH.
The black 996 parked beside it? As the show wound down, the owner parked next to the GT1 for the photo op.
What motor is in that Hewson Rocket? Some type of flathead?
Love the Yellow Lancer Evo V GSR.
That's the sweet spot for Evos IMNSHO. Virtually identical to the Evo VI, but with less fussy front end ... and no "TME Tax" price premium
In reply to Jettaman :
Ford V8 I think it was originally the 100H.P. variety, but not certain.
LanEvo said:Love the Yellow Lancer Evo V GSR.
That's the sweet spot for Evos IMNSHO. Virtually identical to the Evo VI, but with less fussy front end ... and no "TME Tax" price premium
I talked with the owner. Turns out he lives here in Gainesville. He bought it recently and was rushing to get it ready for the show.
In reply to Jettaman :
Yes, flathead V8.
dyintorace said:LanEvo said:Love the Yellow Lancer Evo V GSR.
That's the sweet spot for Evos IMNSHO. Virtually identical to the Evo VI, but with less fussy front end ... and no "TME Tax" price premium
I talked with the owner. Turns out he lives here in Gainesville. He bought it recently and was rushing to get it ready for the show.
And was very nice to talk to as well. Yeah, Evo Vs are pretty rad.
In reply to David S. Wallens :
The GT1 is the Valhalla car at our house.
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