A 1935 Voisin C25 Aerodyne and a 1964 Ferrari 250 LM were crowned Best in Show at The Amelia Concours d'Elegance 2023 - 28th edition of the annual event, it is also known as "the racers' concours," the 2023 event honored that tradition by hosting some of the most accomplished competition cars and drivers at the Golf Club of Amelia Island and the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. The weekend's events revolved around the celebration of the Amelia's 2023 honoree: 4-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and Vice Chairman of Hendrick Motorsports, Jeff Gordon.
Amelia's record-setting motoring weekend was held from February 29 to March 3, 2024, at the Golf Club of Amelia Island and the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. The Saturday Cars and Community event and the Sunday Concours d'Elegance are accompanied by the Amelia Auction, exclusive shopping, new vehicle unveilings and experiential drives, exclusive gatherings, and engaging seminars. Every year Amelia honours a racing legend and attracts celebrities from across the automotive world. Almost $4 million has been donated by the Amelia to deserving nonprofit and charity organisations since its founding in 1996.
The 28th annual gathering at the Amelia drew 25,000 enthusiasts and a record display of more than 800 display vehicles for featured auctions, driving events and a 2-day show on the grounds of the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. This time, the Best in Show Concours d'Elegance Trophy was awarded to a 1935 Voisin C25 Aerodyne displayed by Merle and Peter Mullin of Oxnard, California and the Best in Show Concours de Sport was awarded to a 1964 Ferrari 250 LM displayed by Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum.
1935 Voisin C25 Aerodyne awarded Best in Show – Concours d'Elegance
The Aerodyne was Voisin's "Car of the Future," an automobile that sought to capitalize upon the public's growing fascination with streamlining and aerodynamics. Even in a time of progressive design, when it was initially showcased in October 1934 at the 28th Paris Salon de l'Automobile, it was seen as avant-garde. In the spring of 1935, Voisin displayed this special Aerodyne at the Lyon Fair and at the Concours d'elegance at the Place Bellecour. This Aerodyne cut a profile unlike anything else, thanks to its two-tone paint, low-faired-in headlamps, high beltline, skirted rear fenders, power and retractable top. Only 28 C25s were made in total, including six Aerodynes, four of which are still in existence.Voisin wanted to equip the C25 with a brand new seven-cylinder radial engine but after disappointing results in testing the french carmaker had to settle for its tried and tested 3.0-liter knight sleeve-valve inline six-cylinder engine, fitted with two Zenith carburettors and produced 90 horsepower and was mated to a two-speed electromechanical transmission with overdrive on both gears, providing the car with four gears.
Merle Mullin, owner of Best in Show award-winning 1935 Voisin C25 Aerodyne said, "We had some serious contenders and I am honoured that they chose us to win. I have the blessing of being married to a passionate collector who has never restored a car with an eye to winning a prize. His intention is always to restore a car to its historical correctness. But winning a prize is always greatly validating."
1964 Ferrari 250 LM named Best in Show – Concours de Sport
At the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1965 when everyone's eyes were focused on the battle between the "factory" team entries of Ferrari and Ford, it was an independently raced, one-year-old 3.3-liter V-12 Ferrari 250 LM that caused a major upset by winning the race when the favourites ran into trouble. The surprising victory was achieved by American Masten Gregory and future world champion Jochen Rindt of Austria on the Ferrari 250 LM, who were entered by Luigi Chinetti's North American Racing Team (NART). Over the course of a day, the pair covered 347 laps of the 8.365-mile (13.462km) track at an average speed of 120.944mph (194.640kmph). This victory was the last time a Ferrari won overall at Le Mans. Following its triumph in 1965, this 250 LM also competed at the 24 Hours of Daytona in 1966 and 1968, the car returned to the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1968 and 1969, before its final race at the 1970 24 Hours of Daytona, where it finished at seventh place and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum acquired the Ferrari 250 LM shortly after it.The Ferrari 250 LM's 3.3-liter aluminium-block V-12 with six Weber 38 DCN carburetors produced around 320 horsepower and 435Nm of torque, and was mated to a five-speed manual transmission.
Jason Vansickle, Vice President, Curation and Education, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum said, "This win is very special and was a complete surprise, obviously the car speaks for itself - the last Ferrari to win outright at Le Mans, and it's just one of the many prestigious cars we have at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum."
