Amelia Island Concours 2010: Mercedes-Benz stars

Let the Elegance begin! Fashion and gorgeous automobiles are always a fascinating combination. The rudge-wheel Gulling is finished in ultra-rare Silver Violet and the model features open toe 4" pumps, breezy lightweight pants and color coordinated shades.

A circle of Petty blue. This diverse selection of the King's thundering stock cars graced the lawn at Amelia.

One of the most audacious factory stock cars, Plymouth's "Superbird" (and Dodge's "Daytona") steamrolled the competition in the early '70s. Chrysler grafted a long nose and installed high wing to the brick-like Road Runner to create a slippery 200+ mph winner. Flush back window aided air flow to rear wing.

An icon and AMG's interpretation for 2011: New SLS fronts Fire Engine Red Gullwing. The early car looks positively quaint in the shadow of the burly new 571hp SLS.

1936 540K Cabriolet A: 5.4 liter supercharged, 180hp with supercharger engaged, non-disappearing convertible top, 2 passengers. This is a beautifully balanced design.

1939 540 Cabriolet A. This car shares the same coachwork style as the 1936 540K above. The Cab A's "top down" appearance is not quite as harmonious as with top erected. Note that the wheel hubs/rims are body color rather than chrome plated as the 540K above. Standard 540ks usually carry single width horizontal rubber bumper impact strips on each bumper. 500ks have two slimmer impact strips per bumper.

This is a 540K with touring coachwork. While not particularly sleek, this upright design recalls "Phaeton" designs featured on so many American classics of the '30s.

This 1938 540K features rare second design "Offener Tourenwagan" open coachwork. We see a more integrated aerodynamic design aesthetic emerging that provided a glimpse of the industry standard in the latter '40s. The soft top retracted entirely beneath the flush rear panel and provided a particularly sleek look. The rear side windows could be removed entirely. Front side windows were of plexiglass. Note the difference in coachwork and spare tire placement compared to the Special Cabriolet A behind it.

This 1936 540K(?) Special Cabriolet A combines design elements of the Special roadster below and the standard Cabriolet A. Compared to the standard Cabriolet A his car features a lower beltline that sweeps more dramatically toward the rear fender line. While noted as a 540K, It carries double bumper impact rubber strips, normally a feature on the 500Ks.

The 540K Spezial (Special) Roadster is regarded as the pinnacle of the series and features the most dramatic beltline sweep of the supercharged cars. 25 were constructed and each had subtle detail differences. This example's shape is certainly enhanced by the concealed spare wheel sitting under the circular rear deck cover. How is the Spezial Roadster viewed among the classic automobile connoisseurs?

At Amelia Island 2010, the 540k Spezial Roadster was simply the best - Sam and Emily Mann's 540K Spezial Roadster was the d'Elegance best of show.

This 1936 290 Cabriolet A (2 passenger, convertible) presents itself as an 8/10 scale 540 Cabriolet A. Its elegant if foreshortened lines hide a 2.9 liter six cylinder producing only 70hp coupled with a 3 speed gearbox.

1952 W194 Competition coupe is a fairly rare sight at any show. This car was the basis for the eventual street version released in 1954.

This early morning shot of a standard steel Gullwing reveals plaid interior, luggage and lack of bumper over riders.

Aside from the chrome rudge wheels, this Gullwing shows us what a Gullwing would look like on the grid for a road race in the mid '50s. While Rudge wheels were commonly fitted to racing Gullwings, they were rarely chromed. Rudge wheels enabled quicker tire changes and reduced unsprung weight.

The ultimate Gullwing? #18 of the 29 all aluminum Gullwings, sn5500464. Alloy coachwork saved approximately 175 lbs and may add $700k in value today.

We wish we were there at dawn to watch all the spectacular cars roll onto the lawn, Mercedes-Benz or otherwise.

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