411: Owner Stories from The Amelia Concours (Part 1)
About this episode
At the Amelia Concours, collectors share fascinating stories behind rare and unique cars, including a wooden supercar called the Splinter, a 1928 Mercedes SSK with a rich racing history, and see-through 1960s Corvettes showcasing their engineering. Highlights include the craftsmanship of the wooden chassis, the Mercedes’ connection to Dorothy Paget and Briggs Cunningham, and the Corvette’s original racing engine. The episode also touches on the vibrant Cars and Coffee event and upcoming book news from the host.
At The Amelia Concours d'Elegance, the cars may draw the crowds—but the owners are the ones with the stories.
In the first of this two-part series, I sit down with several of the passionate collectors who brought their incredible machines to the show field. We talk about what inspired them to acquire their cars, the journeys behind the restorations, and what it actually takes to prepare a car for one of the world's premier concours events.
From unexpected discoveries to decades-long ownership stories, these conversations reveal the human side of the collector car world—where passion, preservation, and history all meet on the lawn at Amelia Island.
If you've ever wondered what it's like behind the ropes at a top concours, this episode gives you a front-row seat.
#CollectorCarPodcast #TheAmelia #AmeliaConcours #ConcoursDElegance #CollectorCars #CarCollectors #AutomotiveHistory #CarStories #ClassicCars #CarCulture #CarEnthusiast #AutomotivePassion
🙏 Thank You to Our Sponsors
A sincere thank you to the partners who help make The Collector Car Podcast possible:
Discover Once – Curators of one-of-a-kind automotive adventures you truly won't experience twice.
👉 https://www.discoveronce.com
NCM Insurance – Specialty insurance solutions designed specifically for collector vehicles.
👉 https://www.ncminsurance.com
Metro Garage – Secure, climate-controlled collector car storage built by enthusiasts, for enthusiasts.
👉 http://www.metrongarage.com/
Carport – Your free, 100% private digital garage. Document your cars, track service history, and organize your collection with confidence.
👉 https://www.carport.app
Please support the brands that support the collector car community.
Looking to Buy or Sell a Collector Car?
If you need help buying or selling your collector car, reach out to me directly:
[email protected]
And as always, a huge thank you to RM Sotheby's for their continued support and for helping make so many automotive dreams a reality.
🎵 Listen to Octane FM: Shift, Rev, Repeat on Spotify.
Stay connected with The Collector Car Podcast on our website, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube — or reach out to me directly via email.
Join Car Specialist Greg Stanley as he brings over 25 years of experience and market insight to the world of collector cars. Each week, Greg dives into trends, interviews industry leaders, and shares practical expertise — with a little fun along the way.
New episodes drop every Thursday and are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Learn more at www.TheCollectorCarPodcast.com
Or email me directly at [email protected]
Porsche 917
"including something as amazing as this Porsche 917 Gulf oil number 20 incredible the first podcast logo for the collector car podcast was actually number 21"
The Porsche 917 is a famous race car that competed in big races like Le Mans. It has a special blue and orange paint job called Gulf oil number 20 that makes it easy to recognize.
The Porsche 917 is a legendary race car produced by Porsche in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The Gulf oil number 20 livery is one of the most iconic racing liveries, associated with endurance racing and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Le Mans
"number 21 so this is the iconic Steve McQueen car that was a part of the I think it was the camera car for the movie Le Mans most recently owned by Jerry Seinfeld and famously did not sell at Meekum for 25 million"
Le Mans is a very long and famous car race that lasts 24 hours, where cars and drivers try to go as far and as fast as possible.
Le Mans is a famous 24-hour endurance race held annually in France. It is one of the most prestigious motorsport events in the world, testing the durability and speed of race cars and drivers.
collector car
"do all three give us a call to get started if you own a collector car you already know it deserves more than a standard insurance policy"
A collector car is a special car that people keep because it's rare or important. People usually take good care of these cars and don't drive them every day.
A collector car is a vehicle that is valued and preserved due to its rarity, historical significance, or unique characteristics. These cars are often kept in excellent condition and may be used sparingly, such as for shows or special events.
agreed value coverage
"already know it deserves more than a standard insurance policy NCM insurance specializes in agreed value coverage designed specifically for classic collector and enthusiast vehicles"
Agreed value coverage means your insurance company and you agree on how much your car is worth before anything happens. So if your car gets damaged or lost, you get that agreed amount of money.
Agreed value coverage is a type of insurance policy where the insurer and the owner agree on the value of the vehicle ahead of time, ensuring that in the event of a total loss, the owner receives that predetermined amount. This is especially important for classic and collector cars whose market values can fluctuate or be difficult to determine.
wooden supercar
"this is the to my knowledge the world's only wooden supercar wooden supercar okay called the splinter called the splinter"
A wooden supercar is a very fast and special car made mostly out of wood instead of metal. It's unusual because most cars are made from metal or other materials, so this one is very unique.
A wooden supercar is an extremely rare and unique type of high-performance sports car constructed primarily from wood rather than traditional materials like metal or carbon fiber. This concept challenges conventional automotive design and showcases craftsmanship and innovation.
six-speed manual transmission
"about 2600 pounds 650 horsepower six-speed manual transmission airbag suspension at all four corners"
A six-speed manual transmission means the driver changes gears by hand using a stick and a pedal. There are six different gears to choose from, which helps the car go faster or save fuel.
A six-speed manual transmission is a gearbox with six forward gears that the driver shifts manually using a clutch and gear lever. It offers more gear ratios for better performance and fuel efficiency compared to transmissions with fewer gears.
airbag suspension
"six-speed manual transmission airbag suspension at all four corners you know all that stuff wide tires load of the ground"
Airbag suspension means the car uses air-filled bags instead of regular springs to hold it up. This helps the car ride more smoothly and lets you change how high or low the car sits.
Airbag suspension, also known as air suspension, replaces traditional springs with air-filled bags that can be adjusted for ride height and comfort. This allows for a smoother ride and the ability to change the vehicle's stance or ground clearance.
strength to weight ratio
"so woods got a better strength to weight ratio than steel and aluminum okay some of the fastest airplanes of World War two were made out of wood"
Strength to weight ratio means how strong something is compared to how heavy it is. In cars and planes, you want materials that are strong but not too heavy so they can go faster and be safer.
Strength to weight ratio is a measure of a material's strength compared to its weight. It is important in automotive and aerospace design because materials with a high strength to weight ratio can provide structural integrity while keeping the vehicle light for better performance.
Ford GT90
"so it looks kind of like the prototype for GT 90 I think they called it back in the 90s just angular very very cool"
The Ford GT90 was a special car made to show new ideas and cool designs in the 1990s. It was very sharp-looking but never sold to the public.
The Ford GT90 was a concept supercar developed by Ford in the 1990s, known for its angular design and advanced technology for the time. It was never produced but influenced future supercar designs.
Ferrari Enzo
"those tires are kind of what you'd find on like an Enzo or a Carrera GT or whatever it looks"
The Ferrari Enzo is a very fast and special car made by Ferrari. It uses special tires that help it go fast and stay safe on the road or track.
The Ferrari Enzo is a mid-2000s supercar named after the company's founder, known for its advanced technology and high performance. It features specialized tires suited for high speeds and track use.
compound curvature
"but it will not conform to compound curvature so you can make a decent chassis out of compound curvature but you can't make a decent looking body without compound curvature"
Compound curvature means a surface that bends in more than one way at the same time, like the curved shapes on a car's outside. Some materials are hard to bend like this, so making car bodies can be tricky.
Compound curvature refers to a surface that curves in two different directions simultaneously, like a car's body panels. It is challenging to form materials into compound curves, especially rigid ones like wood, which affects how car bodies are designed and manufactured.
LS7
"what is it powered by LS it's yeah originally was an LS7 we put a different intake manifold"
The LS7 is a big, powerful engine made by General Motors that many people use to make their cars faster and stronger.
The LS7 is a 7.0-liter V8 engine produced by General Motors, known for its high performance and use in cars like the Chevrolet Corvette Z06. It is popular in engine swaps for its power and reliability.
intake manifold
"we put a different intake manifold obviously different headers big camshaft stripped it down as much as we could"
The intake manifold is like a set of pipes that send air and fuel to the engine to help it run. Changing it can make the engine work better.
An intake manifold is a part of an engine that distributes the air-fuel mixture to the cylinders. Different designs can improve engine performance and efficiency.
headers
"we put a different intake manifold obviously different headers big camshaft stripped it down as much as we could"
Headers are pipes that help get the exhaust gases out of the engine faster, which can make the car more powerful and sound cooler.
Headers are exhaust components that collect exhaust gases from the engine's cylinders and direct them into the exhaust system. Upgraded headers can improve engine power and sound.
camshaft
"we put a different intake manifold obviously different headers big camshaft stripped it down as much as we could"
The camshaft is a part inside the engine that helps control when the engine breathes in air and breathes out exhaust. A bigger camshaft can make the engine stronger.
A camshaft controls the opening and closing of the engine's valves. A big camshaft typically means a performance cam that allows more air and fuel into the engine for increased power.
shift linkage
"that's your shift linkage so yeah the different configurations of that transmission some of them run in front of the engine some I'm run behind the engine we kind of have a mix of the two and to get the shift linkage to the front I had to either go around the engine or over the top and I chose over the top"
Shift linkage is the parts that connect the gear stick to the car's transmission so you can change gears.
Shift linkage is the mechanical connection between the gear shifter and the transmission, allowing the driver to change gears. Its configuration can affect shifting feel and packaging.
Mercedes SSK
"this car is our 1928 Mercedes SSK this particular car has an interesting history as they're"
The Mercedes SSK is an old and famous sports car from the 1920s that was very fast and special for its time.
The Mercedes-Benz SSK is a classic supercharged sports car from the late 1920s known for its powerful engine and racing heritage. It is one of the most iconic pre-war Mercedes models.
Midland Red
"the red is actually called Midland Red and that red comes from her father was one of the owners of the Midland Red Row Company and their locomotives were this color"
Midland Red is a special red color named after a bus company in England. The car was painted this color because the owner's family was connected to that company.
Midland Red was a British bus company whose locomotives were painted a distinctive red color. The car's red color was named after this, linking the car's paint to the owner's family history.
Barker body
"verified how original the car was the car has a barker body which is a little bit odd that they designed something this kind of we could say sexy without any doors"
A Barker body means the car's outside shell was specially made by a company called Barker, which made fancy car shapes a long time ago.
A Barker body refers to a coachbuilt car body made by the British coachbuilder Barker, known for elegant and custom designs often used on luxury cars in the early 20th century.
restoration
"after that after we restored it we actually did the media media with it in period oh my gosh with the gentleman that restored it who is Eric Eddie Beresford"
Restoration means fixing up an old car to make it look and work like new again.
Restoration is the process of repairing and returning a classic or vintage car to its original condition, often involving bodywork, mechanical repairs, and authentic detailing.
supercharged
"tell us about the power train I see supercharged yeah so this is a 7.1 liter straight six engine"
Supercharged means the car's engine has a special part that pushes more air in so it can go faster and be stronger.
Supercharging is a method of forcing extra air into an engine's combustion chamber to increase power output. It uses a mechanically driven compressor to boost engine performance.
straight six engine
"tell us about the power train I see supercharged yeah so this is a 7.1 liter straight six engine"
A straight six engine means the car's engine has six parts that make power, all lined up in a row.
A straight six engine is an internal combustion engine with six cylinders arranged in a single straight line. It is known for smooth operation and good balance.
elephant blower
"I see supercharged yeah so this is a 7.1 liter straight six engine and it has a famous elephant blower you know these cars at that time were some of the fastest cars"
The elephant blower is a big part on the car's engine that pushes more air in to make the car go faster. It looks big and loud like an elephant.
The 'elephant blower' is a nickname for the large supercharger fitted to the Mercedes-Benz SSK's straight-six engine, giving it a distinctive appearance and significantly boosting its power output.
center throttle
""this is very uncommon it's a center throttle car so you really have to put yourself in and you know in the mindset you're driving so the accelerator pedal is a center that you know if a car jumps out or something that you don't go for the for the center throttle like you would in the conventional stick shift car this is a little bit different a lot of the pre-war cars are like that though""
Some older cars have the gas pedal in the middle instead of on the right like most cars today. This means you have to use your foot differently when driving.
A center throttle is a type of accelerator pedal positioned in the center rather than the right side, common in many pre-war cars. This setup requires the driver to adjust their foot placement and driving technique compared to modern cars with right-side throttles.
pre-war cars
""a lot of the pre-war cars are like that though you know the alpha there's a pre-war alpha there's Mercedes some of the even event me so it's just something I always like to point out as you know as a person that like I said I'm fortunate enough to be able to drive it that you always have to keep in mind""
Cars made before World War II are called pre-war cars. They often look and work differently from modern cars because they were made a long time ago.
Pre-war cars refer to automobiles built before World War II, typically before 1945. These cars often have unique designs and mechanical features, such as center throttles and different pedal layouts, reflecting the engineering standards of their time.
Mercedes-Benz 540K
"got the Mercedes star right down the center there so what is this case so supercharged short-wheel base and then the K is for the short-wheel base okay supercharged and then and it would have been like the 540 Ks after this"
The Mercedes-Benz 540K is an old, fancy car from the 1930s that had a powerful engine with a supercharger. The 'K' means it had a shorter wheelbase, making it a bit sportier and special.
The Mercedes-Benz 540K is a classic luxury car produced in the 1930s, known for its supercharged engine and short-wheelbase variant denoted by 'K'. It is highly collectible and recognized for its elegant design and performance.
Chevrolet Corvette C3
"what this is is also same thing C3 Corvette 1969 Chevrolet Corvette it happens to be a black-on-black one of only three coupes now that are black-on-black which makes this car so special it's the only one that's documented that came with factory side exhaust"
The Chevrolet Corvette C3 is a classic American sports car made from 1968 to 1982. The 1969 version is special because it has unique features like side exhaust pipes that come from the factory.
The Chevrolet Corvette C3 is the third generation of the Corvette sports car produced from 1968 to 1982. The 1969 model is notable for its distinctive styling and performance options, including rare factory side exhaust pipes.
factory side exhaust
"it's the only one that's documented that came with factory side exhaust really I feel it's a factory side pipe car which is very very unusual because most LED cars have very little options on the car"
Factory side exhaust means the car's exhaust pipes come out on the sides instead of the back, and this was done by the car maker when the car was new. It's a special feature that makes the car unique.
Factory side exhaust refers to exhaust pipes that exit along the sides of the car rather than the rear, installed by the manufacturer as an original equipment option. This is rare and often sought after for originality and performance.
NCRS
""so do the NCRS guys deduct for no paint they could you know I tell you how it would be kind of cool to get the car judged but I probably wouldn't get anything at all because there's nobody on it right""
NCRS is a group that helps Corvette owners restore their cars correctly and judge how close they are to the original condition. They give awards to cars that are restored well.
NCRS stands for National Corvette Restorers Society, an organization dedicated to the restoration, preservation, and enjoyment of Corvettes. They provide judging standards for Corvette restorations and award points based on authenticity and condition.
bird cage
""they really yes they are the bird cage yeah because it's like some type of development for rust and stuff like that to seal it up""
The bird cage is the strong metal frame inside a Corvette that holds the car together and keeps it stiff. It looks like a cage made of bars, like a bird cage.
The 'bird cage' refers to the steel frame structure inside the body of a Corvette that provides rigidity and support. It is named for its cage-like appearance and is a critical part of the car's chassis.
zinc primer
""it's like some type of development for rust and stuff like that to seal it up oh yeah so you all in it's like a zinc primer yeah they call it""
Zinc primer is a special paint put on metal parts to stop them from getting rusty. It helps keep the metal safe and strong.
Zinc primer is a type of protective coating applied to metal surfaces to prevent rust and corrosion. It contains zinc particles that provide sacrificial protection to the underlying metal.
Request an Explanation
Heard something you'd like explained? We'll add it to this episode.
Sign in to request explanations for terms you heard.
Want to learn more?
Browse our glossary for plain-English explanations of automotive terms, jargon, and concepts.
Help improve this episode
See something that's not quite right? Our annotations are AI-generated and can sometimes miss the mark. Click the flag icon on any annotation to suggest a correction.