Amelia Island Plays Host to Some Classic and Exotic Rides at Festivals of Speed
For the sixth straight year, the Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort hosted the Festivals of Speed over the weekend of March 9-11. The festivities began Friday evening with an auction of 50 of some of the most spectacular automobiles imaginable. From a pristine 1990 Lamborghini LM002 SUV to a 1934 Rolls Royce 20/25 Drop Head Coupe, the vehicles run the gamut from vintage class to modern day performance. Vehicles are on display around the lobby of, and within, the main ballroom at the resort, available for the inspection of bidders and spectators alike.
Welcome to the Festivals of Speed
This 2012 McLaren MP4-12C HS is #9 of only ten produced. It was expected to sell for around $1,000,000.
Lamborghini isn’t exactly known for their SUVs, but this 1990 LM002 is certainly an example of what the company can do in that regard. Bidders were expecting to see a price somewhere north of $500,000 for this truck.
If you’ve seen the movie “Road House” (and, c’mon, who hasn’t?), this is the car Patrick Swayze launches over the hedges as he races in to save the day at the end of the movie. This rare 1990 Mercedes-Benz 560SEC AMG sold for just over $100,000.
Delhaye USA calls upon the styling of its now-defunct French namesake to recreate some of the most beautiful automobiles ever made, including this stunning Bugnaughty Boattail Speedster. Someone was quoted as saying “It looks like the owner should be out fighting crime. Indeed.
Following the auction, there’s the VIP “Luxury Lifestyle” cocktail reception. It’s not an inexpensive evening ($125 per ticket), but it features an open bar, carved prime rib, grits and “mix-ins”, fresh salmon and a dessert station with the freshest ice cream you’ll ever have (they make it in front of you). There’s also live music, gaming tables, and various exhibitors to lure you into the “luxury lifestyle.”
Feel free to jazz up your wardrobe with a custom suit.
High-end cigars, and inexpensive ones as well, were available.
A view of the VIP reception hall, featuring two vintage Jaguars.
Interested in a nice timepiece? This exhibitor had watches from Rolex, Breitling and Patek Phillipe.
You would be hard pressed to find ice cream that’s more fresh than this.
The true essence of the weekend, however, is encompassed on the 17th fairway of the resort’s golf course. Some 100 vehicles were on hand, displayed along the water. Vehicles of all shape and form are on display and, for only $20 per ticket, offers an inexpensive way to see some truly amazing cars; the rare, the exotic and the unusual.
Nothing beats a fairway for a car show.
There were far more exotics than muscle cars, but the muscle cars that were on hand were gorgeous.
Ferrari was very well represented.
Lamborghini. Just in case you didn’t know what to do with that extra $300,000 in your pocket.
At $327,000, this Bentley Continental Supersports ranks high on the “lotto car” list.
A relative newcomer, this Supercraft Vaydor is a lot less expensive than it’s European cousins, starting at just $90,000. They’re individually crafted in St. Petersburg, Florida.Even former New York Giants Hall of Fame defensive end and television host Michael Strahan took a liking to the Vaydor.
This 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG was available for a cool $199,999.
This 1957 Jaguar strikes an impressive pose on the fairway.
Few people knew that Lamborghini made the SUV pictured earlier. Fewer still know that Lamborghini also used to make motorcycles.
An event like this is one which, for any car enthusiast, simply shouldn’t be missed. Opportunities to see automobiles such as these are just too rare.
The Amelia Island Festivals of Speed takes place every March at the Omni Amelia Island Plantation. You can find more information at www.festivalsofspeed.com
