Widely recognized

as one of the most prestigious automotive events in the U.S., the 2008 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance took place March 7-9, at The Ritz-Carlton and The Golf Club of Amelia Island, Amelia Island, Fla. Several 356-era Porsches were on dis-play at the event, including a few with DSG connections. For example, the Amelia Concours invited DSG mem-ber Brett Johnson, Indianapolis, Ind.,to display his restored 1951 Gläser Cabriolet. The class winner for Race Cars (1961-1979) was a 1964 Porsche 904 GTS Widely recognized owned by Ken Allison, Lexington, Ky.  For the last several months the car could be seen at Metalkraft Coach-werkes, where Mark Schlachter and the crew were finishing off the car’s restoration.

Last but not least the Amelia Concours awarded "The Porsche Trophy" for the most outstanding Porsche to Don and Carol Murray, Laguna Beach, Calif.,and their 1955 550-067 Spyder. What’s the local connection you ask? 550-067 was once owned by DSG member Jim Perrin, who in turn sold the car to Dayton collector John Dixon.The Spyder was the 1955 Paris Auto Show car, and fittingly, was painted in

French Blue at the factory. Somewhere along its life the Spyder was painted in a blue-silver. Reportedly, when Mr.Murray purchased the car last year it was sent to Gary Kempton, who was able to "rub" out most of the silver,revealing the original French Blue below. Areas that couldn’t be buffed out were repainted. In addition the car was "freshened up," it’s 4-cam put back in, all in time to take home honors at Amelia. In addition to its provenance as the Paris Auto Show car, the Spyder was owned by French racing driver Jean Behra—note the four cam fan shroud featuring Behra’s personalization.

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STEVE SMITH