Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance 2011 – Best of Show Winners

The Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance 2011 was held Sunday, March 13th on the 10th and 18th fairways of The Golf Club of Amelia Island adjacent to the Ritz-Carlton on Amelia Island.
With more than 250 exceptionally interesting and diverse cars in attendance, the judges have a difficult job not only picking class winners, but also awarding the Best of Show Winners. The Amelia Island Concours awards Best of Show for two designations: Concours d’Elegance and Concours de Sport.
Best of Show – Concours d’Elegance at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance 2011 went to the 1933 Duesenberg SJN Arlington Torpedo Sedan of The Nethercutt Collection. In 1933, Duesenberg raised the standard of automotive design with a car so spectacular, that it commanded the unheard of price of $20,000. The Arlington Torpedo Sedan was designed by legendary stylist, Gordon Miller Buehrig. It was placed atop a supercharged SJ chassis by Rollston, Inc, of New York. The vehicle was built for display at the Century of Progress Exposition, better known as the Chicago World’s Fair of 1933-34.
Best of Show – Concours de Sport at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance 2011 was awarded to the 1935 Duesenberg SJ Speedster Mormon Meteor of Harry Yeaggy. The SJ Speedster was built to set the 24-hour speed record at the Bonneville Salt Flats in 1935. One of the most famous of all Duesenbergs, it became known as the “Mormon Meteor” and was driven by Ab Jenkins who went on to serve as Mayor of Salt Lake City, Utah. Due to his exploits in the “Mormon Meteor,” Jenkins was elected without spending one cent of his own money or giving a single speech. Powered by a straight-eight supercharged engine producing 400 horsepower, the Duesenberg Special averaged 135.580 mph over a 24-hour period.
“I don’t recall a tougher decision among the judging committee for best in show awards than this year,” said Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance Chairman Bill Warner. “We simply had the best of the best on the field and I am glad the decision wasn’t mine. Both winners were stunning and very deserving. I take my hat off to the committee and congratulate them on their choices.”
Both Amelia Concours Best of Show winners came from featured classes at this year’s event, as Duesenberg was the featured marque at the Amelia Concours 2011.
2011 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance – Best of Show Concours d’Elegance Category

2011 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance – Best of Show Concours de Sport Category

[Source: Amelia Island Concours; Photo credit, Al Wolford]