Amelia Island Concours D'Elegance

[Clark K.]

I am interested in entering my rare-optioned National-level Top Flight '65 Sting Ray in the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, to be held next March. The deadline for entries is 10-1-12. My car would be entered into the "SC3 Class" (Sports and GT Cars: '63-'72).

My question to fellow NCRS members is: what experiences have you had with the application process and if you have had your car selected, was it worth the trouble?
-Clark

[James G.]

Re: Amelia Island Concours D'Elegance

I am interested in entering my rare-optioned National-level Top Flight '65 Sting Ray in the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, to be held next March. The deadline for entries is 10-1-12. My car would be entered into the "SC3 Class" (Sports and GT Cars: '63-'72).

My question to fellow NCRS members is: what experiences have you had with the application process and if you have had your car selected, was it worth the trouble?
-Clark

It is a great show. I was under the impression it is an invitational event, so I assume your application is entered for the screening process, and from those they pick the entrants. Kevin Mackay enters cars regularily, so he will know.

Bill Warner is the CEO and does a super job. It is one of the best Concours in the USA, and if it were me, I would work hard to have my car entered and considered. Pebble Beach.....Amelia Iland and Meadowbrook are the three show events to attend. All very highly regarded in the WORLD of Show car events!!

[Bruce B.]

Re: Amelia Island Concours D'Elegance

Clark,
For what it's worth, I entered and got accepted with my fresh early 57 rare FI powerglide (1 of 103) Corvette in a Concours d" Elegance show in Ohio.
The class was sports classic, SCL.
When I was parked it was next to a fantastic black Aston Martin and the class consisted of many unbelieveable cars, Lamborghini's, Porshe, old MGs, Austin Healys and 2 other Corvettes, etc.
It was a good experience except for the fact that the judges seemed to forget to stop and look at my car although they did walk by it and check it off thier list......
I said thats it for "concours shows", although the car has been accepted for another concours show, which I will attend.

[Brady C.]

Re: Amelia Island Concours D'Elegance

I recently received an invite for my 53 Cadillac Eldorado to participate in next March's Amelia Island Concours Show and as I understand, it is one of the nicest Concours events in the country.... Bill participated in this year's Cadillac LaSalle Grand National - St. Augustine, FL held in June. Not sure of next year's honoree / car make but Bill indicated - he likes to add a variety of cars that contribute to the uniqueness of the event. I am looking forward to participating.

Brady Como
#42793

"you have to love these gm cars"

[Clark K.]

Re: Amelia Island Concours D'Elegance

I was under the impression it is an invitational event, so I assume your application is entered for the screening process, and from those they pick the entrants. Bill Warner is the CEO and does a super job.

Yes, you have to submit your car and then they tell you whether it has been accepted. I understand that requirement. I have been to some shows that had substandard cars and it lessens the event. I am soliciting input from my fellow NCRS members before I submit my rare-optioned '65 Sting Ray Coupe.

I have reason to believe that my car has a fair chance at being accepted. It won its class at the 2012 Keels & Wheels Concours D'Elegance (last April). Bill Warner attended that concours and I remember him being introduced at the awards ceremony. Surely, he would consider a car that won its class at "Keels & Wheels".

I plan to put that in my application along with the fact that my car was one of the 227 Sting Ray Coupes built with the L76 (365hp) solid-lifter engine and factory A/C in the 1965 model year. At the time, they, and the convertibles so equipped, were the most powerful production cars in the world with factory-installed air conditioning. Also, it may be the only one that has earned a NCRS National-level Top Flight Award.
-Clark

[Patrick H.]

Re: Amelia Island Concours D'Elegance

Also, it may be the only one that has earned a NCRS National-level Top Flight Award.
-Clark

I know that this is not the case. Others have come before your car and achieved the same award with the same engine and AC.

[Rob M.]

Re: Amelia Island Concours D'Elegance

Clark,

You have a nice car and I enjoyed seeing it in San Diego. But, I know of at least one more '65 365 horse with A/C that was earned the Duntov. It was beautiful - black, silver leather, two top vert with K/O's, and A/C to name a few options.

good luck on the application

[Clark K.]

Re: Amelia Island Concours D'Elegance

I know that this is not the case. Others have come before your car and achieved the same award with the same engine and AC.

Patrick, I wrote the word "may". I did not write "is" the only one. My words were the result of the fact that there were only 227 (according to Noland Adams) 1965 L76 A/C Coupes. How many of those achieved Top Flight status? Mine "might" be the only one. If not, then how is this: how many Rally Red/red interior, L76 A/C Coupes with power brakes were built? Maybe five, maybe less, according to Terry Michaelis.

[James G.]

Re: Amelia Island Concours D'Elegance

Patrick, I wrote the word "may". I did not write "is" the only one. My words were the result of the fact that there were only 227 (according to Noland Adams) 1965 L76 A/C Coupes. How many of those achieved Top Flight status? Mine "might" be the only one. If not, then how is this: how many Rally Red/red interior, L76 A/C Coupes with power brakes were built? Maybe five, maybe less, according to Terry Michaelis.

Dave Dwoskin had a 65 maroon/ saddle convert 327/365 AC in 2000 thru 2005. ONE of 138. He received many Chapter and two Regional 97.3 , and 97.4 TOP FLIGHT Awards in the West Coast California, and Nevada events. Great car with PW, teak, and 5 ''real'' KO wheels. Car is now in Ohio.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Amelia Island Concours D'Elegance

how many Rally Red/red interior, L76 A/C Coupes with power brakes were built? Maybe five, maybe less, according to Terry Michaelis.

Key answer: we will never know, and it really doesn't matter.
As has been mentioned and calculated here previously due the many options available on Corvettes almost any car could be a one-of-one to one-of-five type of car.
As a result the term "rare" for midyear option combinations is quite meaningless.

Think of all the options available on Camaros, Chevelles and even full size Chevys in the late 60s. There were truly many one-of-one cars built in those lines.

[Steven B.]

Re: Amelia Island Concours D'Elegance

Bruce, was that Cincy?

Clark, a few years ago I went with a couple of friends to Amelia to help with one of their cars. Both received invitations and therefore shipment was paid by Amelia and Bill. I don't know about the submission paperwork but when invited Jim's Mabee Special Victress and the other Jim's AC paperwork was minimal, a brief description of the car, insurance info, etc. but again these cars were both invited. The fiberglass specials, of wich the Mabee Special was one (along with a member's black '54), were judged by Tim Considine and George Barris.

Good luck with the '65. Good talking with you at the Texas meet at TMS.

Steve

[Bruce B.]

Re: Amelia Island Concours D'Elegance

Steve,
Check your private messages.
Bruce

[Tim S.]

Re: Amelia Island Concours D'Elegance

Clark,

Where do you live and how far are you willing to travel?

Tim

[Chuck W.]

Re: Amelia Island Concours D'Elegance

I am interested in entering my rare-optioned National-level Top Flight '65 Sting Ray in the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, to be held next March. The deadline for entries is 10-1-12. My car would be entered into the "SC3 Class" (Sports and GT Cars: '63-'72).

My question to fellow NCRS members is: what experiences have you had with the application process and if you have had your car selected, was it worth the trouble?
-Clark

Clark,

I had my black '54 Corvette at Amelia in 2007. It is a unbelievable opportunity and show. It is invitation only and if you have questions contact Bill Warner. He is a very nice guy. http://ckautollc.phanfare.com/2122497

Chuck

[Steven B.]

Re: Amelia Island Concours D'Elegance

Clark,

I had my black '54 Corvette at Amelia in 2007. It is a unbelievable opportunity and show. It is invitation only and if you have questions contact Bill Warner. He is a very nice guy. http://ckautollc.phanfare.com/2122497

Chuck

Chuck, IIRC that was your black '54 2 or 3 cars to the left of the yellow Mabee Special Victress Bonneville/road course car. The Mabee Special and my other friend's Bristol engined AC each got blues. Since the Mabee Special's Hilborns were not cooperating he could not drive it up to the tropgy presentation and therefore got the ribbon but not the trophy to go with it. The Don Steve's Z-06 was there, also. A great event and super nice people.

Steve