A 1934 Duesenberg J-531 and, in a surprising announcement, a 2017 Cadillac racing car took Best in Show honors at The Amelia 2022, the first year for the concours d’elegance under Hagerty ownership.
Winning the Concours d’Elegance Trophy was the Duesenberg owned by well-known collector Harry Yeaggy.
“Intended to compete with the most luxurious and powerful cars in the world, production Duesenberg J’s were fitted with 420-cubic inch, eight-cylinder engines with twin camshafts and equipped with factory-fitted dual Winfield carburetors,” the concours said in its announcement.
“One of the last Duesenbergs produced, this LaGrande Convertible Coupe could top 115 mph and was originally owned by Marjorie Merriweather Post (General Mills founder, businesswoman, socialite, philanthropist and collector of fine art — and the world’s wealthiest woman).
“This ‘Duesie’ was used as her Long Island summer house car until 1962. Current owner Harry Yeaggy had it restored to its original specifications.”
Winning Concours de Sport honors was the Cadillac racer.
“After a 14-year absence, the Cadillac DPi-V.R was purpose-built to compete in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship,” the concours pointed out. “This Wayne Taylor Racing chassis features a race-prepared, normally aspirated series-limited 600-hp Cadillac 5.5-liter V8 engine and was the overall winner of the 2018 Petit Le Mans with lead driver Jordan Taylor, Renger van der Zande and Ryan Hunter Ray.
“This was followed up by winning the 2019 Rolex 24 At Daytona overall with lead driver and double F1 World Champion Fernando Alonzo, Renger van der Zande, Jordon Tayler and Kamui Kobayashi.”
Among the features at The Amelia this year was a celebration of the 60th anniversary of the 24 Hours of Daytona race and the 70th anniversary of racing at Florida’s Sebring track.
