If you were one of the few to visit Amelia Island for the Concours d’Elegance, walking out onto the perfectly manicured golf course would greet you with one of the greatest displays of automotive perfection. Multi-million-dollar hero cars filled the grounds, creating one of the world’s strongest tributes to everything the automotive space has to offer, from historic race cars to pristine classics. You’d see cars being auctioned for prices that could buy an island, alongside outfits that could only be described as out there.
But if you chose to cross the street, you wouldn’t find the rarest cars in the world. Instead, you’d find a collection of someone’s favorite cars from the 80s and 90s. This was RADwood. Rather than untouched rarities, the focus shifted to icons, and in that era, being stock was never a requirement. Instead of tailored suits and oversized hats, you’d see tracksuits, mullets, Thriller costumes, and graphic tees.
This pairing brought two sides of the automotive world together. One side showcased cars preserved for judging, while the other celebrated cars built to be driven. Placed right next to each other, it created one of the rare events where every kind of enthusiast felt welcome. This is Amelia Island Car Week.
Held in Amelia Island, Florida, the event’s scale and prestige make it surprising to learn it only began in 1996, especially when compared to Pebble Beach, which dates back to the 1950s. Businessman and automotive writer Bill Warner set out to create an East Coast concours, calling on enthusiasts to help build something special. Since then, it has grown into a massive event. In 2026, the concours featured over 275 entries, more than 400 cars across all events, and drew over 17,000 attendees. Auctions alone brought in over 110 million dollars, including a record-setting Porsche Carrera GT sale, because nothing drives up the value of someone's garage princess like a record.
Of course, the cars themselves delivered. Multi-million-dollar Ferraris, historic machines from the industry’s early giants, and cars with stories as rich as their paint filled the field. Highlights included the Gulf-liveried Porsche 917, towering Duesenbergs, and pre- and post-war cars restored to a level that made them look factory fresh. Chip Foose builds sat like rolling works of art, if art were loud and mechanical. Le Mans winners shared space with legends from the short-lived but unforgettable Can-Am series.
Across the street, the tone shifted completely. RADwood brought out cars that weren’t untouchable legends, but personal favorites and creative builds born from the 80s and 90s. Walking through, you’d see people fully committed to the era, from mullets blowing in the wind to matching outfits straight out of music videos. The cars followed that same energy. Cleanly modified BMWs, Fox body Mustangs with modern swaps, and blacked-out Mercedes with classic AMG wheels lined the space. There was even a Callaway Corvette that many mistook for an exotic thanks to its aggressive transformation.
One standout was the GNX El Camino, a build that combined the utility of an El Camino with the performance DNA of a Buick Grand National. It felt like something that shouldn’t exist but worked perfectly, and it quickly became a crowd favorite. The entire event had the feel of a curated car meet, bringing together some of the cleanest builds and most recognizable icons of the era.
After taking in the nostalgia, heading back to the concours for the awards offered something rare: movement. These cars, usually seen sitting still, were driven and displayed in motion. Amelia also separates its top honors into two categories, which feels like a necessary evolution. There is a Best in Show for the Concours d’Elegance, focused on classic road and luxury cars, and a Best in Show for the Concours de Sport, dedicated to race cars. It makes sense, as comparing a pre-war Rolls-Royce to a purpose-built race car has never been a fair fight.
This year, the Concours d’Elegance winner was a 1931 Duesenberg Model J “Tapertail” Speedster, a one-off luxury car built to its original owner’s exact specifications. It’s a reminder of a time when cars could be tailored like suits, shaped entirely by the imagination of the buyer. On the racing side, the Concours de Sport winner was the 1969 McLaren M8B, a product of the wild Can-Am era. Unlike modern racing series, Can-Am had almost no restrictions, allowing engineers to push design and performance to extremes. The result was a brutally fast, short-lived series that McLaren dominated, and the M8B, with its towering wing, became one of its defining machines.
Overall, the event stands out because it offers both ends of the automotive spectrum in one place. You get the same level of quality as Pebble Beach, paired with the accessibility and personality of RADwood just across the street. The result is an experience that feels complete, showcasing both once-in-a-lifetime machines and the cars people actually connect with. You leave feeling like you’ve seen the automotive world at its absolute best, from museum pieces to personal builds.
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