Ferrari 1956 250 GT Competizione Berlinetta, originally uploaded by John E Adams.

This is only one of 8 Scaglietti Competition Berlinettas built in 1956. It was known as the “Tour De France” in honor of the domination of the great French event, with four outright victories.

The 250 GT Comp cars were the true forerunners of the series of race cars which established Ferrari as a major force in Sports Car Racing.

This #0555 has an extensive race history including seventh overall in the 1957 Mille Miglia, 1st GT in the Targa Florio and numerous other victories from 1956 through 1961.

Taken at the 2012 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance.

Savannah Hues, originally uploaded by John E Adams.

Tom Mix Cord – 1937 812 Phaeton SC – The 2012 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, originally uploaded by John E Adams.

Beautiful, radical and futuristic, the Tom Mix Cord is arguably the rarest of all cords. Just 196 Supercharged Cord 812 Roadsters were built. This is one of the only three with a rare set of options, including an external mounted spare. The other two belonged to jazz singer Al Jolson and actress Barbara Stanwick.

The car is easily capable of speeds in excess of 100 mph and Tom Mix, America’s first cowboy movie star was travelling nearly 80 when he missed the sign saying “Bridge Under Construction.” Ironically Mix, who performed his own stunts, died in the crash when he was hit in the head with an aluminum suitcase filled with money.

The current owners purchased the car at auction in 2010 and began a painstaking frame off restoration, the first since 1940. The restoration revealed damage from the fatal crash. The “Tom Mix Cord” now appears as it did 5 minutes before the accident.

This car made a bold statement at the 1937 Auto Show held at the Grand Central Palace. This is the prototype car of the style #9220 known as the Goutte du Eau – Teardrop. It is considered one of the most iconic shapes in the Automotive French Art Deco era. The Fagoni and Falaschi style is flamboyant, yet elegant. Their use of wild and bright colors made their cars very popular among the participants in the early French Concours dElegance Events.

There are believed to be approximately ten type 9220 Goutte du Eau sport coupes, built between 1937 and 1938. These are high performance sport coupes, built to rival any of the world’s great cars.

The example shown is the only known aluminum body and fender car built. The car spent its early life in France and Switzerland and was relocated stateside in 2000. A restoration was completed in 2011.

Ford Cobra 1962 CSX 2001 – The 2012 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, originally uploaded by John E Adams.

Serial # 1 – the first production Shelby Cobra and among the initial 75 delivered to the dealers in 1962.

This car was originally fitted with a Ford Zephyr straight six-cylinder engine, but was removed and shipped from AC Bristol to Venice, CA where Shelby American dropped in a new 260 V8 and took the car for shake–down runs looking for Corvette owners to humiliate.

The Cobra was bought by Lloyd “Lucky” Casner, Comoradi Racing, to race at the 1964 Le Mans 24 Hour.

The car was modified with a 289 cubic-inch engine and updated to full FIA standards by Ford Racing in France. From 1964-1966, the car was campaigned in Europe and racked-up many victories across the continent. It is the only Cobra to race in the 1964 Tour de France.

The Cobra remained in Europe until 2006, when it was bought by the current owner and returned to the USA. It was restored by Mike McCluskey in Torrance, CA. The aluminum body, chassis and interior remain in their original well preserved state.

This is one of only three Model J’s with a Riviera Phaeton body by Brunn and was the first convertible to have a disappearing fold down top. It has a 6.9 liter engine with a 32 valve, dual-overhead camshaft and eight-cylinders that produced 265 horsepower and was designed by Fred Duesenberg.

This car was restored by Fran Roxas and Brian Joseph noted Duesenberg restorers.

Taken at the 2012 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance.

Cadillac 1948 Series 63 Saoutchik Cabriolet – Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance 2012, originally uploaded by John E Adams.

This custom Cadillac is one of two cars bodied by Jaques Sauotchik of Paris, France. Sauotchik was known for designs, taking many risks with sweeping shapes and copious amounts of chrome.

The genius of Sauotchik’s design on such a large chassis demonstrated his ability to minimize the overall scale of the car by concealing the size of the wheels as well as using painted lines to reduce the height of the cowl.

The early owners of this car included Paul Kassoff and Louis Ritter. Mr. Ritter was the founder of Ritter Brothers Furriers of New York. He was known for his extravagant wealth, flamboyant lifestyle and eccentric taste.

Taken at the 2012 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance.

Auburn 1935 851 – Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance 2012, originally uploaded by John E Adams.

This 1935 Auburn Model 851, Supercharged, Boat Tail Speedster was purchased over 50 years ago. The 1935-36 Speedster was designed by Gordon Buehrig and is recognized as one of the outstanding designs of the 20th Century.

The Speedster is powered by a supercharged Lycoming Straight-8 engine and is capable of speeds over 100 miles per hour.

The car was restored to its original maroon paint formula in 2010 and 2011 by Brian Joseph.

Taken at the 2012 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance.

There were four 330 LMBs specifically built to compete in long distance events like Le Mans and were designed around an extended chassis just for these cars. The unique Tipo 574 chassis was also fitted with a dry sump system, which allowed the engine to sit lower leading to a lower coefficient of drag. Built in the same prototype shop as the GTO, serial number 4725 is the last of four 330 LMBs built and featured lightening techniques such as Plexiglas side and rear windows. Based on the 400 SA engine the Tipo 163 variant was a V12 with 3,967 cc displacement, six weber carburetors and an output of 400 bhp at 7,500, which was a good 50-80 bhp than the GTOs.

The LMB ran in the prototype class at Le Mans in 1963 for Maranello Concessionaires driven by Jack Sears and Mike Salmon to finish 5th overall. This car was the only LMB of the four that finished the race. Lorenzo Bandini drove it later in the United Kingdom. The LMB is also known as the first car to reach 180 mph down the Mulsanne straight at the Le Mans the same year eclipsing the 250P and the GTO.

Taken at the 2012 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance.

Ferrari 1949 166 Touring Barchetta – Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance 2012, originally uploaded by John E Adams.

As Ferraris go it does not get any more authentic than this. What you are looking at is a 1949 Ferrari 166MM, the first model made by Enzo Ferrari after setting up shop under his own name, with custom Barchetta coachwork by Carrozzeria Touring of Milan. This Ferrari 166MM was the second car built in the production run of approximately 24 and it was also the 1949 Ferrari Salon car. From 1949 to 1957, the car successfully raced in several Mille Miglias and other noted races. This Touring Barchetta is fitted with several racing options.

After its racing career ended, it was on display at the Harrah’s Collection from 1967 until the closing of Harrah’s. Since then, it is in a private collection on the East Coast of the United States.

Taken at the 2012 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance.