BLENHEIM, ONTARIO (February 10, 2009) – A significant collection of the world’s finest vintage motor cars will roll into Amelia Island, March 14th, 2009 for RM Auctions’ highly anticipated Automobiles of Amelia Island auction event.
A popular and permanent fixture on the auto events circuit since 1999, the annual multi-million dollar auction will once again be held in conjunction with the famed Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance to make for an ultimate vintage car weekend for motoring enthusiasts.
Held on the grounds of the stunning Ritz-Carlton Hotel – a setting only surpassed in beauty by the magnificent cars on offer – the event weekend is commonly referred to as the ‘Pebble Beach of the East Coast’, attracting fashionable collectors and enthusiasts from around the globe.
“Our Automobiles of Amelia Island auction is an important event on the collector car calendar as it attracts many European and East Coast enthusiasts,” said Ian Kelleher, Managing Director of RM Auctions.
“From speed to style, this year’s event will feature a magnificent roster of collector cars, highlighted by several historic race cars, such as the legendary ‘Yellow Peril’,” he added.
For the car enthusiasts amongst us, some 100 vintage motor cars are set to cross the block during the single-day RM auction. Highlighting the exceptional line-up is the legendary 1911 Oldsmobile Autocrat “Yellow Peril” race car, an outstanding and well-documented 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spyder, and an innovative and beautifully restored 1954 Packard Panther Concept car, one of just four built and the only one in roadster form.
The “Yellow Peril” has a fascinating vintage racing history. Regarded as one of the biggest and most powerful vehicles of its era, the original owner, John Greenway Albert, modified the car shortly after purchase in an effort to make it “race ready”. Special modifications included constructing a one-off aluminum race body and a unique gas generating system – the latter which saw Albert emerge as a pioneer of fuel injection. Painted bright yellow, Albert named the car “The Yellow Peril” and raced it on various dirt and board tracks, reportedly often removing the fenders and headlamps to further lighten the load.
Other notable highlights for the event include: a 1941 Chrysler Newport, one of the earliest concept cars built and used as the Official Pace Car for the 1941 Indianapolis 500; a stunning 1939 Bugatti Type 57C Faux Cabriolet ‘Charmaine’, one of the last Bugattis built before World War II and formerly owned by a remarkable series of famous British personalities; a multi-award winning 1934 Packard Twelve 5-Passenger Phaeton; a superb 1963 AC Cobra, the first American Ford entry at Le Mans; and a magnificent collection of award-winning Fords from noted Ohio collector, Grant Oakes.
RM’s Automobiles of Amelia Island auction event will be held at the luxurious Ritz-Carlton, 4750 Amelia Island Parkway, Amelia Island on March 14th, 2009. A full day auction preview will be held March 13th from 9am to 6pm followed by the auction from 11am on March 14th. Admission to the auction is by catalog only, which admits both the catalog holder and a guest. The full-color collectible catalog is available for $100 (plus shipping), by calling 800.211.4371 or visiting www.rmauctions.com.
The auction event will be followed on Sunday, March 15th by the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance at the Golf Club of Amelia Island at Summer Beach. Honoring veteran racer David Hobbs, this year’s event will feature cars of Bohman & Schwartz, as well as celebrate the 50th anniversaries of F1 at Sebring and Indy Cars at Daytona. As in previous years, part of the proceeds from the event will benefit the Community Hospice of Northeast Florida. For further information, visit www.ameliaconcours.org or call 904.636.0027.