En route to Ocean Reef in a 1951 Hudson Hornet convertible. Story and photos by Mark Elias.
Depending on whether the glass is half-empty or half-full, the Ocean Reef Vintage Weekend is either the start or the finish of the classic car-collecting season. Now in its 22nd year, it features some of the nation's finest examples of automotive, aviation and nautical arts gathered in one tropical location.
A Dodge Red Ram Hemi-powered Victress S1A.
And what a location it is: The Ocean Reef Club is a private members-only organization and community located in Key Largo, on the northern-most island in the upper Florida Keys. Originally established in 1948 as a fishing camp with a 26-room lodge, the community has grown to over 4,000 residents and members, with lodges, vacation rentals, a marina, an airport, and public safety facilities for all of the above.
As this 1967 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 demonstrates, the Vintage Weekend includes something for everyone.
Vintage Weekend encompassed fly-bys, cruises and roadtrips in significant automobiles, yachts and aircraft from the early 1900s onward. Caretakers had the opportunity to share their passion with others, giving visitors the chance to get up close, photograph, repair and even ride in selected vehicles. It was also venue for many members and guests to show off their latest and greatest acquisitions. Not operating under strict concours rules, whimsical categories were created to make note of the more than 60 cars and trucks that passed in front of spectator's eyes. Collector and Ocean Reef resident Ron Elenbaas served as MC of the car show portion, and his 1951 (Fabulous) Hudson Hornet convertible was the perfect rolling camera platform to capture the horizon from the Card Sound Bridge.
Janis Joplin's 1964 Porsche 356 C 1600 SC Cabriolet.
Among the cars on display: The 1964 Porsche 356 C 1600 SC Cabriolet that was Janis Joplin's daily driver in 1968. Stolen in San Francisco, with its original "The History of the Universe" mural painted over, it was found, thanks to the painted inside of the fuel filler door, restored, repainted and driven by Joplin until her passing in 1970. The car was later restored and toured through museums until it went on the auction block in 2015, where it sold for $1.76-million.
1914 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost Alpine Tourer.
The "Most Important Historical" award went to the 1914 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost Alpine Tourer of Steve Littin. With seemingly an acre of polished hood out front, it made a bright day absolutely sunglass-mandatory.
1934 Mercedes-Benz Special Roadster
1953 Bentley Convertible R-Type.
1910 Rolls-Royce Double Pullman Limousine.
Howard Fafard, with his 1934 Mercedes-Benz Special Roadster, and Frank Ricciardelli with his 1953 Bentley Convertible R-Type bookended the World War II era with "Most Elegant Pre-War" and "Most Elegant Post-War" awards, respectively. They were led onto the red carpet by DeNean Stafford's Pebble Beach prize-winning 1910 Rolls-Royce Double Pullman Limousine (Chassis 1392), itself being the winner of Ocean Reef's "Best Pre-War award."
Ron Elenbaas, owner of the '51 Hudson convertible in the lead photo and Ocean Reef MC, prepares to present the award for "Best Dropped Part."
We mentioned the whimsical categories: The "Best Dropped Part" award went to Joe Jurgielewicz and his 1929 Ford pickup that gently deposited its air filter on the red carpet.
1955 Jaguar D-Type.
The "Best of Show" title was nabbed by James Taylor for his 1955 Jaguar D-Type. Not having much more than a club-racing pedigree and with slightly more than 20,000 miles to its name, it's still one of the most beautiful D-Types on the road today.
Yachts on display at Ocean Reef.
Aircraft and yachts don't take second berth (pun-intended) at Ocean Reef, either. Crowds paid tribute to sea-going conveyances ranging from the 1917 Consolidated Yachts, "Blue Mist," to the 1986 Cigarette go-fast "Bad Hombre." Highlights included the "People's Choice" award (awarded by a count of shoes on the dock) to the 1913 Matthew, "Nymph."
Gene McNeely's Nort American T-6G air racer.
On the tarmac, and in the skies, at Ocean Reef Club Airport, guests watched aerobatic displays by 76-year old Gene McNeely and his North American T-6G air racer. A former crop duster, McNeely still competes on the air race circuit and thrilled the crowds with his barrel rolls and high climbing stalls.
1942 C-47 "Placid Lassie" on the air and on the tarmac.
"Best in Show" for the aircraft set was the historic 1942 C-47 "Placid Lassie." The military version of the well-known Douglas DC3, and a veteran of both D-Day in Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge, it made several low level passes just east of Buccaneer Island on Ocean Reef.
Enjoy a gallery of miscellaneous images from Vintage Weekend below.
A gearhead since receiving his first Matchbox Cars at age 3, Mark Elias, who shoots and writes about anything with wheels, wishes Instagram would make the photos larger. Check his out at http://ift.tt/2bFM7AU.
from Hemmings Daily – News for the collector car enthusiast http://ift.tt/2gibH14
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