At Amelia Island, the Best Cars Were Not the Most Expensive Ones

Forget the uncertainty surrounding the future of driving. When it comes to the collector car market, the idea of metal, grit, grease, and a healthy growling engine is alive and well. But rather than race only for blue-chip Ferraris, the segment is steering toward less-expensive, although high-quality, offerings. Consider it a car market for the thinking man.

Last weekend, at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, buyers spent $80.5 million on some of the most beautiful, rarest cars in the world. The annual gathering off the coast of Florida is globally considered the second-most-prestigious car show, after the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance held every August in Carmel, Calif. But when it comes to attracting die-hard enthusiasts—and the most discerning, patient collectors—Amelia reigns supreme.