Sun Coast Jaguar Club Festival d’Elegance

The show. After a year’s absence due to the pandemic, the Sun Coast Jaguar Club returned to St. Armands Circle Park, Sarasota, Florida on October 9 for their Festival d’Elegance. This was the 35th version on the palm shaded lawn of this premiere venue. The annual festival attracts many of the finest Jaguar automobiles, including antiques, current classics and modified prototypes in the region. Awards were made to automobiles in a variety of classes. The sponsor, Wilde Jaguar, also presented a display of the latest Jaguar models.

The location. St. Armands is a renowned shopping and dining district created by circus and real estate magnate, John Ringling. It’s adjacent to Lido and Longboat Keys, with their pristine white sand beaches and the sparkling waters of the Gulf of Mexico just a short walk away. Note: St. Armands (no apostrophe) Circle was named for Charles St. Armand, who bought the key in 1893. His last name was incorrectly written on the original deed as “Armands,” and the misspelled name is still used today.

SBCC Participation. Like the 34^th Festival in 2019, the Suncoast British Car Club was invited to join the Jaguar club and show our LBC’s in a separate judging. Awards were presented to the top three of our fourteen cars participating. First Place was awarded to the 1966 Austin Healy of John and Joan Magine, Second to Pat & Linda Kelley for their 1961 Bugeye Sprite and Third to Brad & Carol Rosenbarten’s 1962 Daimler SP-250. As usual, our LBCs got a lot of the attention, although admittedly, there were some really beautiful Jaguars.

Input on SBCC participation and photos provided by Bruce Skaggs.