A VINTAGE 1922 MODEL T DEPOT HACK IS THE INSPIRATION FOR A PICNIC ON THE TARMAC

Last month’s Concours d’Elegance was the inspiration for a Picnic With a Special Car…a classic 1922 Model T Ford Depot Hack.  Amelia Island Plantation residents Mike DePew and Marianna McIntyre shared their classic car with us and hoping for perfect weather we planned a special picnic at the airport with a good-looking  jet and the car.   It was a beautiful day, but with wind gusts of 20 mph a picnic spread was next to impossible.  We improvised!

A little sparkling wine goes a long way when fighting the wind.

Mike recently purchased the 1922 Model T Ford Depot Hack, from a gentleman south of Amelia Island and found  it had a very interesting and well documented past.

It began life in 1922 ferrying hotel guests from the railroad and passenger ships to the Bethel Inn Resort at the foot of Maine’s White Mountains.. While the Inn still exists, the car went on to have 2 other owners, who lovingly continued to restore and maintain its original appearance. The car made its NE Florida debut this year at the  Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance Cars & Coffee event.

Mike grew up in Rhinebeck, New York. He attended Florida State University, graduating in 1977 with a degree in Physiology.  Mike moved to NE Florida in 1978. He is the President and CEO of CMD Trailer Sales & Leasing, Inc. in Jacksonville.  Mike has served on many boards and committees during his time in Jacksonville, and continues to be involved in the community in Nassau County by volunteering his time for several nonprofits, including the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance.

Marianna McIntyre was born in Augusta, Georgia and grew up largely in Charleston, S. C.  She attended Arizona State University, graduating in 1984 with a degree in Business & Marketing.  Marianna moved to Amelia Island in 1993 and is the Director of Development for Micah’s Place- a nonprofit organization serving the victims of domestic violence in Nassau County – where she works with fundraising, grant writing and special events. She also serves as the Island Liaison for the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance – a group she has been involved with since its inception over 20 years ago.

Considering Mike’s and Marianna’s involvement with the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance we wanted to showcase another special car.

1968 Shelby Cobra GT 500 KR, owned by Bill Amos.

“One of the most powerful and famous Shelby Mustangs of all time, the GT 500 KR (stands for ‘King of the Road’) is probably one of the most desirable Mustangs ever and definitely one of the heavyweights of the American muscle car scene.”

Mike and Marianna live on the Amelia Island Plantation along with their rescued Rhodesian Ridgeback, Levi.  They love to spend time with friends, watching the sunset and picnicking at Walkers Landing, the 16th hole on the Marsh course, as well as the beach. Mike has his pilots license and loves to fly.  Both love to travel, he enjoys riding his bike and golf – she enjoys photography and interior design.   They both enjoy gardening/landscaping, giving back by volunteering, and spending time with family and friends as well as shooting sporting clays together.

Speaking of a picnic, this was the best we could manage with the wind.  Mike and Marianna along with Mark and Marie Fenn shared a quickly eaten deviled egg and shrimp salad prepared especially for us by Lisa Langshaw of The Picnic Basket on Centre Street in Fernandina Beach.

 A big thank you to Steve Leimberg, UnseenImages.com for photographing our outing.

Thank you to Bill Amos for the use of his special King of the Road!

Thank you to Lisa Langshaw of The Picnic Basket for providing antique picnic baskets, antique silver pieces, linens and her famous shrimp salad.  Visit this Gourmet Grocery/Delicatessen to prepare your special picnic!

This post was featured in South Island Living.

Come celebrate with me.  I’ll save you a seat at the table.