The 2026 Amelia Concours Eight Flags Road Tour
On Friday, March 6, 2026, the day before the Amelia Island Concours, the Eight Flags Road Tour was held as is similarly done with the Tour d'Elegance before the Pebble Beach Concours in California. These road tours serve a few different functions. First, it's a fun drive of some of the most beautiful vehicles in the world with a great camaraderie between all the participants. And second, a car that participates in the tour prior to the Concours, is provided a little bit of a 'leg up' on those who do not participate. For example, if two competing cars in the same class score the same amount of points from the judges, the car that took the tour will take the win over the other that hadn't, so it is used to break a possible tie. But in the end, just seeing these rolling works of art out doing what they were designed to do on the road is the most fun and the only excuse people need to bring out their cars to show off on the road.
Here's a quick look at some of the 40-50 cars that participated in last Friday's 87-mile long Amelia Concours 8 Flags Road Tour through Amelia Island and northern Florida. At the end is a short video interview of myself for the ClassicDriver.com website.
Greg O.
The Tour Begins
The 8 Flags Tour is an approximately 87-mile long road tour that is broken down into 3 stages, but only the first stage is necessary to complete to receive your tour ribbon. Stage 1 is a slightly shorter stage within the tour and is intentionally done in that fashion for the benefit of the older and pre-war cars. These cars are approaching 100 years old, with some even older and don't want to risk a breakdown on the more difficult later stages, so most, if not all, older cars turn around and return after their ribbon for stage 1.
The 25-mile, stage 1 of tour begins at the staging point in the center of the historic Fernandina Beach town on Amelia. It then travels back past the Ritz-Carlton hotel where the Concours is held. It then continues to follow Florida's Route A1A south through Amelia Island and over a large bridge where the Stage 1 portion ends at the historic, former 1928 Ribault Golf Club on Fort George Island (Now a wedding and event destination)..
Staging begins on Center St in the center of historic Fernandina Beach with beautiful 120 year old Victorian homes and buildings.
The 2-hour staging previous to the tour allows spectators to up close and personal with the vehicles and owners. From the minute the Duesenberg showed up there was a relentless crowd gathering to see the 94-year old automobile. It was during this time that I was drafted into doing the below video for ClassicDriver.com Instagram page.
The Ribault Club
Driving the first stage of the tour is unfortunately not as scenic as the Pebble Beach Tour down Big Sur/Hwy 1 in California but does offer a quick glimpse at the beach every now and then.
Stage 1 ends at the historic Ribault Club with the pre-war cars specially parked in front of the original club's clubhouse. The club was originally established in 1928 as a playground for the wealthy northerners as part of an early attempt to develop Florida's rael estate and tourism potential.But the club faltered through the Depression and WW2.
In 1991, the Florida Park Service posed the question- "Is the Ribault Club worth saving, and how could it be used to best serve the community in the park setting?"
The Ribault Club held its grand re-opening in Dec. 2003, 75 years after the first grand opening in 1928. The historic landmark now serves as a gateway to Fort George Island and the Timucuan Trail, with interpretive displays orienting visitors to the rich 6000-year-history of Fort George Island.
The Duesy cools down in front of the clubhouse with a 1910 Locomobile Type 1 bringing up the rear.
Arriving at the clubhouse you are greeted by multiple Peacocks showing off their beautiful plumage on the roof of the buildings, and boy are they loud!
1910 Locomobile Type 1
A gorgeous Jaguar is always a welcome sight on a tour.
A vintage 1934 Aston Martin
1940 Packard 180
Not one, but 2 beautiful Rolls Royce's were on the tour with their gorgeous lines.
The Duesy with its tour ribbon heading back to the show field.
Comments
Nice photos and video Greg! I’ve been to this event twice and it’s one of the best in the country. I hope to get back to it in the near future.
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Thanks Mike!
Greg
Where is the Dusey going to the next event?
Thank you for showing all the cars in your collection. Unfortunately my brother and I attended Amelia Island on Sunday thinking all the classics would be there. Next year I will read what’s happening each day and see the classics. We were very disappointed but there is always next year. Thank you for being the person you are. If you are free on September 26th stop by the show Our Lady of Hope in Carle Place is hosting. God Bless