The 31st annual Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance returned on March 7, 2026, at the
oceanfront of the Ritz-Carlton at Amelia Island, Florida. The venue blends ocean
breezes, the scent of gasoline, and rows of automotive history. This year, organizers
shifted the main concours from Sunday to Saturday, trading places with the Cars &
Caffeine gathering, but the experience remained pure Amelia.
Over 250 historic vehicles competed across more than 35 classes, from pre-war
American classics to postwar European sports cars and factory racing machines.
Walking the manicured lawns, you could move from a 1930s luxury car with coach built
bodywork to a rally-bred icon, a mid-century sports car whose design defined an era, or
an ultra-limited hypercar—all in a single glance.
Scroll through Autoblog’s live photo gallery to check out our Top 10 highlights from the
annual event.
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1992 Ferrari F40
The Ferrari F40 requires no introduction. The last Ferrari to be personally approved by
Enzo Ferrari prior to his death in 1987, the F40 was and remains an icon. Therefore, it
should come as no surprise to see one of these Pininfarina-penned gems parked at an
exclusive show like this.
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This particular example, which was not included in this year’s auction but was proudly
on display for the public to enjoy, is a 1992 model that’s part of the Rick Hendrick
Collection. It’s #179 of 213 U.S.-spec F40s built; a total of 1,313 were built worldwide.
Power comes from a 2.7-liter twin-turbo V8 that’s paired to a five-speed manual. Total
weight is a mere 2,425 pounds thanks, in part, to a body composed of Kevlar and
Nomex.
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1965 Shelby Cobra 289
The 1963–1965 Shelby Cobra 289 is a legendary fusion of British design and American
muscle. Built on a nimble AC Ace chassis and powered by a Ford-sourced 289 V8, it
delivered up to 306 horsepower through precise rack-and-pinion steering. Lightweight
and brutally quick, this roadster conquered 1960s racetracks, yet only around 463 small-block, leaf-spring examples were ever made, making it a rare thrill for collectors
today.
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This fully restored ‘65 example immediately caught our eye because just look at it. That
light blue body work is perfectly matched with a stunning red leather interior. And those
wire-rimmed wheels? Absolute perfection.
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1969 Porsche 917K
You know when you’re in the presence of greatness when everyone else around you
suddenly goes silent and takes a deep breath. That’s exactly what happened when we
came across the 1969 Porsche 917K.
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Yes, it’s THE 917 you thought. This is Steve McQueen’s #20 Porsche 917K that raced
on screen in Le Mans and in 1971 competition, later restored to its iconic Gulf blue-and-
orange livery, making it one of the most celebrated and collectible race cars of all time.
The “King of Cool” also lent his signature on the right side, where the driver sat.
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1962 Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato
This 1962 Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato — just one of 19 made — pairs a lightweight
Zagato aluminum body with a 314-hp inline-six, the iconic double-bubble roof, and race-
bred performance, making it one of the world’s most coveted classics. Even though this one is not currently for sale, another similar example sold at auction for over $14 million back in 2015.
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1985 Renault R5 Turbo 2
A legendary French Group B rally homologation car, the R5 Turbo 2 features a mid-
mounted 1.4L turbo engine, rear-wheel drive, and a 5-speed manual, delivering raw,
sub-7-second 0-60 mph performance.
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Its aggressive wide-body design, massive rear fender flares, and iconic ‘80s styling
make it a true standout. It’s simply impossible to ignore and a true privilege to see in the
flesh.
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2008 Harmon Splinter
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Joe Harmon from Davidson, North Carolina, turned heads with his one-of-a-kind
Harmon Splinter—yes, it’s made entirely of wood. No joke. More precisely, a woven
cherry veneer and a balsa wood core.
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Originally his master’s thesis at North Carolina State University, this handcrafted marvel
is even more stunning and mind-blowing in person. The attention to detail inside and out
is next level. And yes, it actually runs thanks to a mid-mounted 7.0-liter LS7 V8 engine
with up to 650 horsepower paired to a six-speed manual.
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2021 Lamborghini Essenza SCV12
This track-only hypercar is pure adrenaline on wheels. With a naturally aspirated V12
engine and aggressive aerodynamics, the Essenza SCV12 delivers blistering speed
and razor-sharp handling. Every angle—from its sculpted body lines to its low, and
seriously menacing stance—screams precision engineering and Italian flair.
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Just 40 examples were made, each equipped with a 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12
that’s good for 819 horsepower. Although this example was not for sale (at least, not
yet), it carries an estimated value of around $1.5 million.
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1966 Ford GT40 MKII
Were we surprised to see an original Ford GT40 at Amelia Island? Not at all. Built to
conquer endurance racing, the GT40 Mk II is the car that helped Ford Motor Company
defeat Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966. Powered by a 7.0-liter V8 and
wrapped in a low, aerodynamic body, this American racing icon combined brute force
with sleek design.
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No. 7 was driven by Graham Hill and co-driver Brian Muir on June 19, 1966. The car
qualified sixth but ultimately retired before it could finish the grueling race.
1935 Auburn 851 Supercharged Speedster
We certainly will never forget the moment we laid our eyes on this under the hot Florida
sun. Could anyone? Long, low, and unmistakably Art Deco, the Auburn 851
Supercharged Speedster was one of the most dramatic American cars of the 1930s.
Built by Auburn Automobile Company and styled under Gordon Buehrig, it featured
sweeping pontoon fenders, dramatic side exhaust pipes, and a supercharged straight-
eight capable of topping 100 mph, which was truly an astonishing claim (at the time).
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1983 Ferrari 288 GTO
The Ferrari 288 GTO was built as a homologation special for Group B racing, pairing
exotic engineering with unmistakable Italian style. It greeted visitors as people entered
the main lawn.
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Its twin-turbocharged 2.8-liter V8 produces around 400 horsepower, sent to the rear
wheels through a 5-speed manual transmission. Lightweight composite body panels,
aggressive vents, and a wide stance helped this rare supercar rocket to a top speed of
roughly 189 mph, making it one of the fastest road cars of the 1980s.
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