Bobby Unser is one of the great American racing drivers of his generation, having won the Indianapolis 500 in 1968, '75 and '81 and belonging to the Unser racing dynasty. But he might be getting the oddest tribute of his life at the 2014 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance. Infiniti has created a tribute to his Indy-winning 1968 car out of a Q60 Convertible (previously the G37), and he will be driving it around the event.
The Infiniti is wrapped in red, gold, black and white livery with the number 3 designed by the company's design director Alfonso Albaisa. While the connection seems dubious, Offenhauser-powered racecars are one of the featured vehicles at this year's concours, and the Japanese luxury automaker worked with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum to bring Unser's 1968 Eagle, which used an Offenhauser engine and flew those colors, to the show. The brand wanted a car of its own to match... no matter how outlandish it looked.
Honestly, while certainly a nice gesture, the choice still seems a bit weird. At least visitors will get the chance to see American racing royalty and his winning car. Scroll down to read Infiniti's full explanation for their effort.
The Infiniti is wrapped in red, gold, black and white livery with the number 3 designed by the company's design director Alfonso Albaisa. While the connection seems dubious, Offenhauser-powered racecars are one of the featured vehicles at this year's concours, and the Japanese luxury automaker worked with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum to bring Unser's 1968 Eagle, which used an Offenhauser engine and flew those colors, to the show. The brand wanted a car of its own to match... no matter how outlandish it looked.
Honestly, while certainly a nice gesture, the choice still seems a bit weird. At least visitors will get the chance to see American racing royalty and his winning car. Scroll down to read Infiniti's full explanation for their effort.
Infiniti Pavilion Display to Feature 2014 Product Line and Specially Designed 2014 Q60 Convertible Celebrating Bobby Unser's 1968 Indianapolis 500 Win
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – For the fourth consecutive year, Infiniti will support the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance by sponsoring the Media Center at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island March 7-9, 2014.
Infiniti's impressive Pavilion Display will share space at The Golf Club of Amelia Island at Summer Beach as more than 300 vintage, classic and historic racing vehicles spread out across the golf course's 10th and 18th fairways including special classes of show cars highlighting the 50th anniversary of McLaren Racing, the sports racing cars of Jochen Mass and special Offenhauser-powered race cars.
In conjunction with the recognition of Offenhauser-powered cars at this year's show, Infiniti worked with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum to bring Bobby Unser's 1968 Indy 500 race winning car to the Concours. Infiniti also recruited its design team, headed by worldwide Design Director Alfonso Albaisa, to commission a one-off vehicle wrap for the Q60 Convertible special guest Bobby Unser will be driving throughout the weekend that matches his winning race car. Reminiscent of the Rislone livery found on Unser's Offenhauser-powered Eagle, the special wrap features a striking red, yellow, black and white design finished with the number three found on the winning car. When not in use, the specially designed Q60 will be displayed near the Infiniti Pavilion Display next to the 1968 Indy 500 winning race car.
In addition to this special Q60 Convertible, the Infiniti Pavilion will also showcase a selection of Infiniti vehicles including the 2014 Q70 luxury performance sedan, QX60 7-passenger luxury crossover, QX70 performance crossover, QX80 full-size luxury SUV and the new Q50 luxury sport sedan. Since going on sale last summer, the Q50 continues to be one of the leading options in the competitive premium sport sedan segment, incorporating class-leading, world-first technologies such as Direct Adaptive Steering and Active Lane Control.
"We're incredibly excited to once again show our support for the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance this year," said Infiniti Vice President Michael Bartsch. "Yet again, with Bill Warner at the helm, the Concours assembled a top selection of significant cars from all around the world. These cars are representative of the same passion and performance we try to incorporate into each of our passenger vehicles. The event continues to inspire fans new and old and we are proud to play a small part in it."
Credentialed Amelia Island Concours media are invited to visit the Infiniti Media Center inside the Ritz-Carlton from March 7-8. On March 9, the media center will be moved to the Golf Club of Amelia Island Clubhouse, adjacent to the Ritz-Carlton. Concours attendees are welcome to visit the Pavilion display throughout the 2014 Amelia Island Concours, March 7-9, 2014.
About Infiniti
Infiniti Motor Company LTD. is headquartered in Hong Kong with sales operations in approximately 50 countries. The Infiniti brand was launched in 1989. Its range of premium automobiles is currently built in manufacturing facilities in Japan and the United States. Production in China and Europe will start soon along with the expansion of the brand's portfolio.
As the Title Partner and Vehicle Performance Partner of Infiniti Red Bull Racing, Infiniti has a far-reaching technical collaboration with the Formula One team, and Sebastian Vettel, its four-time World Champion driver, serves as Infiniti's Director of Performance.
Infiniti offers a full-line of luxury performance automobiles that inspire at every turn, including the all-new Q50 luxury sports sedan, Q60 coupe and convertible, Q70 performance luxury sedan, QX50 luxury crossover, QX60 7-passenger luxury crossover, QX70 performance luxury crossover and the QX80 full-size luxury SUV.
More information about Infiniti, its Total Ownership Experience® and its industry leading technologies can be found at www.infinitiusa.com. For the latest news on Infiniti, visit www.infinitinews.com, "like" Infiniti on Facebook, and follow the brand on Twitter @InfinitiUSA.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – For the fourth consecutive year, Infiniti will support the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance by sponsoring the Media Center at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island March 7-9, 2014.
Infiniti's impressive Pavilion Display will share space at The Golf Club of Amelia Island at Summer Beach as more than 300 vintage, classic and historic racing vehicles spread out across the golf course's 10th and 18th fairways including special classes of show cars highlighting the 50th anniversary of McLaren Racing, the sports racing cars of Jochen Mass and special Offenhauser-powered race cars.
In conjunction with the recognition of Offenhauser-powered cars at this year's show, Infiniti worked with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum to bring Bobby Unser's 1968 Indy 500 race winning car to the Concours. Infiniti also recruited its design team, headed by worldwide Design Director Alfonso Albaisa, to commission a one-off vehicle wrap for the Q60 Convertible special guest Bobby Unser will be driving throughout the weekend that matches his winning race car. Reminiscent of the Rislone livery found on Unser's Offenhauser-powered Eagle, the special wrap features a striking red, yellow, black and white design finished with the number three found on the winning car. When not in use, the specially designed Q60 will be displayed near the Infiniti Pavilion Display next to the 1968 Indy 500 winning race car.
In addition to this special Q60 Convertible, the Infiniti Pavilion will also showcase a selection of Infiniti vehicles including the 2014 Q70 luxury performance sedan, QX60 7-passenger luxury crossover, QX70 performance crossover, QX80 full-size luxury SUV and the new Q50 luxury sport sedan. Since going on sale last summer, the Q50 continues to be one of the leading options in the competitive premium sport sedan segment, incorporating class-leading, world-first technologies such as Direct Adaptive Steering and Active Lane Control.
"We're incredibly excited to once again show our support for the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance this year," said Infiniti Vice President Michael Bartsch. "Yet again, with Bill Warner at the helm, the Concours assembled a top selection of significant cars from all around the world. These cars are representative of the same passion and performance we try to incorporate into each of our passenger vehicles. The event continues to inspire fans new and old and we are proud to play a small part in it."
Credentialed Amelia Island Concours media are invited to visit the Infiniti Media Center inside the Ritz-Carlton from March 7-8. On March 9, the media center will be moved to the Golf Club of Amelia Island Clubhouse, adjacent to the Ritz-Carlton. Concours attendees are welcome to visit the Pavilion display throughout the 2014 Amelia Island Concours, March 7-9, 2014.
About Infiniti
Infiniti Motor Company LTD. is headquartered in Hong Kong with sales operations in approximately 50 countries. The Infiniti brand was launched in 1989. Its range of premium automobiles is currently built in manufacturing facilities in Japan and the United States. Production in China and Europe will start soon along with the expansion of the brand's portfolio.
As the Title Partner and Vehicle Performance Partner of Infiniti Red Bull Racing, Infiniti has a far-reaching technical collaboration with the Formula One team, and Sebastian Vettel, its four-time World Champion driver, serves as Infiniti's Director of Performance.
Infiniti offers a full-line of luxury performance automobiles that inspire at every turn, including the all-new Q50 luxury sports sedan, Q60 coupe and convertible, Q70 performance luxury sedan, QX50 luxury crossover, QX60 7-passenger luxury crossover, QX70 performance luxury crossover and the QX80 full-size luxury SUV.
More information about Infiniti, its Total Ownership Experience® and its industry leading technologies can be found at www.infinitiusa.com. For the latest news on Infiniti, visit www.infinitinews.com, "like" Infiniti on Facebook, and follow the brand on Twitter @InfinitiUSA.
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