The 2023 Amelia Reigns Supreme in March

The 2023 Amelia is now counted amongst the world’s premiere Concours d’Elegance events. Now under the stewardship of the Hagerty Group, the event concluded another successful weekend at Amelia Island. While Napleton News did not attend the event this year, we are still going to provide a wrap-up of the party. Here’s a look at two of the weekend’s big winners.

1935 Avions Voisin Type C25 Aerodyne is Best in Show at the 2023 Amelia

First introduced at the 1934 Paris Salon de l’Automobile, the Avions Voisin Type C25 was the creation of French aircraft manufacturer and pioneer, Gabriel Voisin. Voisin made only six copies of the “car of the future.” Four survive today. It was Voisin’s most audacious design yet and featured many innovations that we take for granted on cars today.

According to an article from the Hagerty Group, Voisin designed the Aerodyne with such advanced features and wanted to capitalize on the public’s growing fascination with streamlining and aerodynamics. Voisin hoped this project would remake his company’s image in the wake of financial difficulties, following the end of World War I.

Progressively Avant-garde

The Type C25 featured such progressive avant-garde designs that would reappear in the automotive mainstream many years in the future. These included wraparound fenders, faired-in headlamps, skirted rear fenders, two-tone paint, a retractable automatic roof and outrageous interior upholstery. A “typical Voisin sleeve-valve” inline-six engine powers the Type C25. A wildly stylized hood ornament tops the radiator with the legend Avions Voisin (Voisin Aircraft) at its base.

The Mullin Automotive Museum in Oxnard, California museum acquired the Type C25 in 2005. It underwent a restoration lasting several years. In 2011, it was awarded “Best in Show” at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

The Underdog Ferrari

Winner of the 1965 24 Hours of Le Mans, the North American Racing Team (NART) Ferrari 250 LM, owned by legendary racing driver Luigi Chinetti, was crowned the Best in Show Concours de Sport at The Amelia Concours d’Elegance. This is one of the few Concours events that awards a best in show for road cars and a best in show for competition cars. This Ferrari was triumphant in the latter category.

Now owned by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, the 250 LM had quite the racing pedigree. Technically, a 1964 model Ferrari, the LM won the 1966 24 Hours of Daytona in 1966 and 1968. It returned to Le Mans in 1968 and 1969, finally returning to Daytona in 1970. With Chinetti behind the wheel, it took seventh place. The Indy Racing Museum acquired the famous Ferrari following its final race. It remains on display there to this very day.

A Supercar for its time.  

The 1964 Ferrari 250 LM was definitely a supercar of its day. The mid-engine, rear-wheel drive two seater received its oomph from a 3.3-liter 60-degree V12 engine making 320 horsepower and 321 lb-ft of torque. Fuel was fed through six dual-draft Weber carburetors. A five-speed manual transmission delivers power to the rear wheels.

Between the years of 1963-1966, only 32 copies of the Ferrari 250 LM were made. Weighing around 1800 pounds, this car could reach upwards of 180 mph.

Photography by Deremer Studios LLC.