One Last Fight: Riley & Scott MK IIIC-004
February 5, 2026
The 28th Annual Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance returned to the Ritz Carlton Amelia Island, offering one of the most compelling gatherings of historic and modern automotive excellence in the world. From Le Mans legends to contemporary hypercars, this year’s event provided a glimpse into the full spectrum of racing heritage and design innovation.
At the heart of the event, the 1964 Ferrari 250 LM, chassis 05893, captured Best in Show (Concours d’Élégance) honors. Famously the last Ferrari to win overall at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1965, the car was fielded by the factory-backed North American Racing Team (NART). With only 32 examples ever built, its mid-engined layout featured a 3.3-liter V12 producing around 319 horsepower, paired with a tubular space frame chassis and double wishbone suspension borrowed from the 250 P prototype. The 250 LM remains a timeless icon, bridging the line between Ferrari’s racing dominance and road-going sophistication.
Historic endurance racing legends were also well represented. A 1969 Porsche 908/2 chassis 010 stood as a testament to six years of factory racing, including multiple Le Mans and Targa Florio appearances. The car was driven by Vic Elford, Pedro Rodriguez, Richard Attwood, and others, securing multiple wins and podiums over its career. Nearby, a 1956 Jaguar D-Type celebrated its Le Mans victory with Ecurie Ecosse, driven by Ron Flockhart and Ninian Sanderson. Its monocoque construction, 3.4-liter inline-six engine, and aerodynamic tail fin have made it one of the most recognizable race cars ever produced.
One of the event’s most historically significant displays was the legendary #2 Ford GT40 MkII chassis P/1046, the car that led the famous 1-2-3 Ford sweep at Le Mans. Driven by Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon for Shelby-American Inc., this GT40 secured Ford’s first overall victory at the Circuit de la Sarthe, marking a turning point in endurance racing history.
Also making headlines were the three Briggs Cunningham Corvettes that competed in the 1960 24 Hours of Le Mans, reunited for the first time since the race. In a dramatic recount of history, the No. 3 Corvette ultimately finished first in class and eighth overall, while the No. 1 and No. 2 cars succumbed to mechanical and weather challenges, reminding attendees of endurance racing’s unpredictability.
Porsche enthusiasts were treated to one of the largest gatherings of 959s in recent memory, including a trio in white, celebrating the road-legal supercar that originated from Group B rally racing. Nearby, the Porsche Icons of Color display highlighted the new 911 Dakar, a rally-inspired 992 with a 473 horsepower twin turbo flat-six, lifted suspension, and all-wheel drive; a modern nod to Porsche’s motorsport heritage.
Modern hypercars also commanded attention, in particular the Aston Martin AMR Pro Valkyrie, a track-only, 1,000-horsepower marvel generating over 8,000 pounds of downforce in a limited run of 40 cars. McLaren celebrated its 60th anniversary with chassis #18 of the legendary F1, featuring an LM-spec engine and high-downforce kit, bridging the gap between track and road.
Finally, the event honored Jeff Gordon as the 2023 Amelia Honoree, highlighting his career from NASCAR dominance to the Daytona 24h winning Cadillac, and even showcasing Juan Pablo Montoya’s 2003 Williams FW24 F1 car, creating a living timeline of modern motorsport achievement.
Amelia Island 2023 proved that the Concours isn’t just about beautifully restored cars, it’s about celebrating the stories, milestones, and innovation that define automotive history. From Le Mans champions and rare Porsches to modern hypercars, this year’s event offered a curated experience that rewarded both die-hard enthusiasts and casual fans alike.
