Amelia Island concours celebrates birthday of fake sports car--46 years early

The fictional Italian grand marque 1958 Pignatelli sports car has joined the lineup for the 2012 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance.

The 17th-annual event will celebrate the cartoon vehicle's 100th anniversary, 46 years early, in March.

"Because all but two people involved with the Amelia Island concours will be dead by 2058, we don't want to wait," concours chairman Bill Warner said.

An array of artist Stan Mott's work featuring the Pignatelli will be on display for public viewing in honor of the early anniversary. Mott created the Pignatelli for a series of Sports Car Illustrated pieces in 1958.

"I drew the car I wanted to drive," Mott said.

Pignatelli enthusiasts can bask in the glow of this fictional sheetmetal March 9-11 at the Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island.

By Michelle Koueiter