We have the pleasure of a contributing writer this year. Philip Carroll, an enthusaistic car guy of many decades made the trip. Thank you Philip, Mike

A Memorable 30th Anniversary at The Amelia

I recently had the distinct honor of attending The Amelia as media. While I’ve been to this event nearly a dozen times, this year felt particularly special—it was their 30th anniversary!

Our first visit to The Amelia was in 2007 when Derek Bell was the Honorary Chairman. Now, 23 years later, he was once again at the heart of the action, this time alongside his now-adult son, Justin, who handled interviews and announcements. The transition from founder Bill Warner to the Hagerty team—now five years in—has appeared seamless to most attendees. However, those of us in the industry have heard about the growing pains along the way. Congratulations to the entire team—you made it!

We arrived on Friday and dove right into the Broad Arrow Auction. No sooner had we picked up our credentials than we were greeted—almost on cue—by our Hagerty contact, Wes Prior. He led us through the lobby and into the auction room, which was already at full capacity nearly an hour before the first gavel dropped. The presentation of the cars was impeccable, with each vehicle showcased on a rotating stage in a perfectly timed and efficient cadence.

We saw several friends raising their paddles, including one for a stunning Rosso Corsa Ferrari Testarossa, which now has a new home in Atlanta. Perhaps we’ll see it again on our show field in May 2026 at the inaugural Atlanta Concours!

Late Friday, organizers made the difficult decision to move the Concours to Saturday due to Sunday’s storm forecast. This shift changed our perspective, as we were there taking detailed notes in preparation for our own event. Despite the schedule change, the transition was executed seamlessly. Unfortunately, this meant that the Cars & Coffee participants lost their sunny Saturday slot, but as they say—the show must go on.

The Concours featured 37 classes and over 50 judges—an incredible undertaking that appeared to run effortlessly. We spent time with our Chief Judge, Frank Campanale, who has wasted no time assembling an impressive team, including Kip Wasenko of GM Design and Ivan Ruiz, whose expertise in European sports classics is unmatched.

Among the more unique classes were the "Critter Class," featuring cars with animal themes, and the "Safety Cars" category, showcasing vehicles that pushed the boundaries of safety innovations—like the Bricklin SV-1 with its massive bumpers, built to impress even Ralph Nader.

Ford Motor Company made its presence known with the new Ford Racing Mustang GTD, sending a strong message to racing teams everywhere. As part of their exhibit, Ford’s Youth Development Program provided over three dozen young enthusiasts with the experience of a lifetime. Well done, Ford!

Best of Show Winners:

 Concours de Sport – 1967 Lotus 49 Formula One Race Car (Aluminum Original)
 Concours d'Elegance – 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Cabriolet, Stabilimenti Farina

It’s impossible to capture the full magic of The Amelia—the Werks Reunion, the thriving Radwood scene celebrating the ‘80s, and the sheer variety of automotive excellence. There is truly something for everyone.

We are beyond excited to bring this level of excellence to Atlanta in 2026.

Philip Carroll
Founder & Co-Chairman
The Atlanta Motoring Festival and Concours d'Elegance