Nicola Bulgari, vice-chairman of the global luxury brand Bulgari (jewelry, fragrances, apparel, watches, hotels and resorts) is also a world renowned vintage, historic and classic American car collector. On September 8th Bulgari will present the 2018 Nicola Bulgari award to Bill Warner, founder and Chairman of the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance at a gala hosted by The LeMay: America's Car Museum in Tacoma, WA.
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Bill Warner at Sebring in 1978 behind the wheel of his Brabham BT8 |
The Nicola Bulgari Award is presented annually based upon the winner's contributions to preserving America's automotive heritage, the use of vintage vehicles and striving to ensure the future of the collector car hobby. The event benefits the America's Automotive Trust.
Previous recipients of the Nicola Bulgari Award are Ed Welburn, retired General Motors VP of Global Design, 2012; Dr. Fred Simeone, founder of the Simeone Foundation, 2013; McKeel Hagerty, President and CEO of the Hagerty Group LLC, 2014; Rick Hendrick, NASCAR team owner, 2015; Rob Myers, founder and chairman of the RM Group which includes RM Restorations and RM Sotheby's auctions, 2016; and Jim Menneto, Publisher, Hemmings Motor News in 2017.
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Warner racing the Group 44 TR6 at The Mitty |
"To be recognized and rewarded for the passions of a lifetime by Nicola, a purist who has given his life to the love of the automobile, is humbling and surprising.
"No machine comes closer to having a soul than the automobile. I think it's safe to say that many of us have said with a straight face that they love their car . . . or cars . . . and I'm one of them. The car represents the ultimate freedom. There is art in the creation, the operation and even the care and preservation of the automobile. It's no mystery why Nicola, a man who has dedicated his life to the creation and propagation of beauty, is an automotive purist."
Warner (far left) toasts The Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance Best of Show winners in 2016