'RACE OF THE CENTURY' WINNING MERCEDES ATTENDS THE 2014 AMELIA ISLAND

Company press release.

The Grand Prix Mercedes that won the 'Race of the Century,' the 1914 French Grand Prix, will appear at the 19th annual Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance as the centerpiece of a special display presented by Mercedes-Benz and car owner George Wingard.

A team of five Mercedes Grand Prix racers traveled to France for the Grand Prix of the Automobile Club of France, less than one week after the assassination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand. It was a time of political turmoil and accelerating technological progress.

At 8:00 a.m. on July 4, 1914, the first pair from the 37 car field left the starting line for 20 long laps of the 23.38 mile grand prix course. Cars from France, Great Britain, Belgium, Italy, France and Germany drew a crowd reported to be as large as 300,000 to cheer for the men and cars that bore their flag.

Heroics would not win the 1914 French Grand Prix. It was careful organization, engineering excellence and speed that prevailed at Lyon 100 years ago. The numbers were with the five-car Mercedes team, the largest in the field. Mercedes had the most powerful engines, the fastest acceleration, the most aerodynamic and amongst the lightest cars entered.

When it was over, the media called the 1914 Grand Prix of the Automobile Club of France 'the race of the century' or 'the greatest grand prix.' After more than seven hours and 466 miles, Christen Lautenschlager and mechanic Hans Reiger were victorious for Mercedes, averaging over 65 miles per hour in a one-two-three Mercedes sweep.

A century ago, a British sporting journal described the Amelia-bound 1914 French Grand Prix-winning Mercedes with words that have endured with the same potency and dignity as the winning car:

'Most striking in appearance were the white painted Mercedes, whose acute V-fronted radiators, straight line bonnet and dash, and curved pocket tail - gave them that complete-from-every-point-of view appearance which gives such an individuality to war vessels of the British Navy and to many of the great railway express engines. They have lines which a camera cannot portray: a white marble of one would be a priceless possession.'

About The Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance

Nearing the end of its second decade, the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance is among the top automotive events in the world. Always held the second full weekend in March, 'The Amelia' draws over 250 rare vehicles from collections around the world to The Golf Club of Amelia Island and The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island for a celebration of the automobile like no other. Since 1996, the show's Foundation has donated over $2.25 million to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, Inc., Spina Bifida of Jacksonville, The Navy Marine Corps Relief Society, Shop with Cops, and other deserving charities. The 19th annual Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance is scheduled for March 7-9, 2014. For more information, visit www.ameliaconcours.org.

posted on conceptcarz.com