by Don Meluzio –
The Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance was as usual a Wonderful Event held on March 8, 2020. Bill Warner creates such an attitude with everyone who is involved in the Concours that they make sure that you feel welcome and they want to do whatever they can to assure that you have a good time. Ironically enough I showed my Iso Rivolta GT at my first Amelia Island Concours in 2003 and I showed it again this year which was my 18th consecutive year displaying a car at Amelia Island.
Iso Rivolta GT and Don Meluzio – photo by Jake Krone
Obviously I totally enjoy myself, and look forward to it every year. It is the beginning of Spring for those of us in the Northeast US and every year my wife Diane and I stay 7 to 10 days for Spring Training Baseball. It might as well have been a year ago as opposed to a month ago, because the world has completely changed since March 8th. We only saw three baseball games and decided to grab a quick flight and get home while we could.
Every Car Gathering through the 4th of July that I know of has been cancelled already. We made it just in time, Major League Baseball postponed their season on March the 12th, so Amelia Island was close to not even happening! But, the show went on and what a show it was. Every year I think how could this Event get better, but every year it seems to exceed the last one.
Unbelievable Classes were organized for this year. Some of my favorites were The Cars of Roger Penske, The Cars of Harley Earl, Mid Engine Corvette Prototypes, and the Cars of Scaglietti. The cars that I will discuss are the Cars of Iso Rivolta and Bizzarrini.
Iso Rivolta and Bizzarrini
All three cars in attendance, other than mine, just knocked me over. The first being Billy Hibbs’ Bizzarrini GT 5300 Strada. The Judges have to be wowed by Billy’s enthusiasm, but then it is backed up by a killer restoration done by restorer, Jeff’s Resurrections. Jeff Snyder put an enormous amount of research into doing his best to make Billy’s car as correct as possible, which paid off in a Class Win.
Bizzarrini GT 5300 Strada – photo by Don Meluzio
Bizzarrini GT 5300 Strada – photo by Don Meluzio
Billy was in the SC4 class (Sports Cars) along with John Gaileys 1965 Rivolta. John is originally from York, Pa my home town and yet we had never met. John chose Prueitt Restorations to restore his Rivolta. Dave Prueitt is a long time friend of mine, nice guy, and he runs a great shop, so I knew it was going to be a First Class job. Again, it was very correct and a wonderful color combination it really shows very well.
Bizzarrini GT 5300 Strada – photo by Jake Krone
Bizzarrini GT 5300 Strada – photo by Don Meluzio
Bizzarrini GT 5300 Strada – photo by Jake Krone
Iso Grifo Can Am – photo by Darren Frank
Also in the SC4 class was the 1972 Iso Grifo Can Am of Steve and Karen Levy. Again one of my favorites. A Can Am is so nice to drive because it has so much torque. It is a wonderful car to cruise in and you couldn’t have picked a better color combination. Again another great restoration and the crowd seemed to love it.
Iso Rivolta GT – photo by Don Meluzio
Iso Rivolta GT – photo by Jake Krone
We had some crazy competition in the Sports Car Classes. How about a Ferrari 410 Superamerica, an OSCA Prototype, Porsche Carrera 2 Cabriolet, an Alfa Romeo TZ, and two Cobras just to name a few. Oh yes, also my 1964 Iso Rivolta GT!
I had a great time, and a lot of self satisfaction preparing the car for the Concours. I also really enjoyed the comments from a lot of the spectators at the Event. It may sound silly, but it really feels good if people like your car, and we are educating the Collector Car Community to understand what models were made by Iso and Bizzarrini. I already can’t wait for next years event.
All of this Car Show stuff is minor compared to what is going on in our World today. I pray that all of us are safe and healthy.
To all My Car Quest readers – be careful, and stay safe.
Let us know what you think in the Comments.
Don Meluzio has written several articles for My Car Quest over the years. He is an avid car lover and collector. He competed in the Porsche Racing Program from 1988 through 1992.
In 1989 he finished 15th in the Porsche Cup USA. In 1991 he finished 9th in the Porsche World Cup. A top 15 finish earned a trip to Stuttgart, where at the Porsche Cup Banquet Professor Porsche presented him with his cash award and a gift. During this time he had already acquired the Porsche 901 Prototype.
He is the president of the Iso & Bizzarrini Owner’s Club and lives in Pennsylvania USA.
More photos by Jake Krone are in the three slide shows below.
Great pictures, thanks Don
Thank you for posting. Great venue to see some incredible vehicles.
Wonderful article, Don! And great seeing you in Amelia, as always!
Great reporting Don as always! Sorry to miss Amelia this year, maybe next year. Looks like the Isos and Bizs were the hit of the show. Love your Rivolta! In fact I love your whole fleet.