I bring up this novel because it illustrates, rather nicely, the idea of old money versus new money. Newly-rich stock brokers and businessmen threw lavish parties with champagne and glitter, while the hereditarily wealthy enjoyed rounds of polo on the grounds of their expansive estates. And this is where the cars come in.
You see, when my friend and I first arrived at the Ritz Carlton hotel on Amelia Island, we felt like we were part of that fantastic panning shot used to welcome viewers to Tom and Daisy Buchanan's massive estate. Not to mention we appeared to be the only ones young enough to not be asked how the grandkids were doing.
Walk inside the hotel itself, like we did about halfway through the day, and you'll feel even more out of place. Dark wood paneling, ostentatious fixtures, and the slightly nauseating smell of perfume being pumped through the duct work is enough to make you feel as old as the Benz-Patent Motorwagen on display in the lobby.
Don't get the idea that this was just some dolled up neighborhood car show though. If you can get past the pretentious aura of it all, there are some amazing cars to be seen, and even the ones that aren't so amazing are all in pristine condition. Among the most stunning were a prototype Lamborghini Miura Roadster, an absoulutely gorgeous Zagato-designed Alfa Romeo, and a positively awe-inspiring display of Ford GT40 racers.
I'm certainly glad that I had my virginal concourse visit November of last year, because it prepared me for the astonishing collection of automobiles that I beheld on Amelia Island. All types of vintage cars, from genesis (that is, the first automobiles) all the way up until the early 1990s were on display here, not to mention Porsche had an entire fairway to itself.
And the amazing part about all of this was that, for the acres of old money old timers hammering on about Cadillacs, Bentleys, and Ferraris, I could count on one hand the number of kids there who seemed to have an active interest in cars. Sure, we're trying to move away from the old school fossil fuels and such -we have to- but does that mean we have to lose that car culture that we've grown to love so much in America? I certainly don't think so.
The wonderful part about coming to huge car events like this is that it serves as an affirmation, an affirmation that the automotive community is alive and well. Just how much longer they'll remain that way, however, is another issue.
See more of my photos from the 2013 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance below.
