Modamiami: RM-backed event scheduled for 29 February – 3 March 2024

The covers are finally off the ‘alternative to Amelia Island’, an event that promises “the world’s ultimate experiences across automobiles, art, and design.”

Modamiami will take place at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, Florida, a 20-minute cab ride from Miami International Airport, from 29 February to 3 March 2024.

Rob Myers – one of the prime movers behind the Amelia Concours all those years ago – and his company RM Sotheby’s is backing the new event in a big way. The Canadians lost their status as official partners at Amelia last year when Hagerty took ownership of the concours and installed in-house firm Broad Arrow at the Ritz Carlton for 2023. In a showdown this March, RM grossed $62m, Broad Arrow $28.6m with aftersales.

The Amelia Island Concours is a highlight of the classic car year. Perennial complaints surround its remote location – a three-hour drive from Orlando international airport, even big local terminal Jacksonville is not on all internal flights in the US – impossible parking throughout the long weekend and non-availability of reasonable accommodation at regular tariffs. The move to Miami fixes these issues at a stroke, though expect ‘car event tax’ to hit the more exclusive hotels.

Where that leaves Amelia stalwarts Gooding & Co (a blockbuster $72.7m gross in 2023) and Bonhams ($12.6m) remains to be seen. Next year ‘The Amelia’, as it’s now called, is scheduled to take place from 29 February to 3 March – no surprise that it’s in direct conflict with Modamiami. And don't expect any favours from industry Titan RM.

RM conducted a $39.3m auction in Miami last December, with a special focus on new-generation collectors and Youngtimers such as the $720k Mercedes-Benz 560 SEC AMG 6.0 ‘Wide Body’. Modamiami will build on that, though the concours will surely be the broad church with an emphasis on interesting racing machinery that characterises the highly popular Amelia Concours. How well the more mature, bonnet hats and serpent horn Brass Era set take to a “playground for luxury enthusiasts who want to experience the best of the automotive, culinary, and design worlds all in one place” will be interesting.

Rumours persist that some senior members of the organising team at Amelia will jump ship to southern Florida – watch this space. It’s Miami, anyone got a Black Daytona Spider?

See modaevents.com

Photo by Rex/Shutterstock