Wayne Carini of 'Chasing Classic Cars' to take part in Concours d'Elegance

Wayne Carini, who's been restoring cars for most of his life and is host of the television series "Chasing Classic Cars" on Velocity TV, expects to be in high gear this weekend at the Amelia Island 2013 Concours d'Elegance.

Carini, 61, a frequent participant in the Amelia Island Concours - he estimates he's been to at least 10 of them - will be filming segments for his show, has two cars on display at the event, two up for auction from clients and he'll also be one of the many judges.

He talked about cars and the Concours in a recent telephone interview from Portland, Conn., where he owns and operates three businesses: F40 Motorsports, which buys and sells vintage and classic automobiles; Continental Auto Ltd., a high-end and exotic automobile repair; and Carini Carozzeria, the restoration shop where Carini spends much of his time.

What keeps you coming back to this event?

It's always a lot of fun. Amelia Island is a beautiful place, the weather is almost always great and it's unlike almost any car show we go to. [The] Pebble Beach [Concours] is the granddaddy of them all, of course, but this is certainly the best show on the East Coast.

What makes it special?

Bill Warner [its president and founder] does such a fantastic job and getting so many different types of cars and people together in a relaxed atmosphere. It's such a beautiful spot for a beautiful cause [the Concours raises money for Community Hospice of Northeast Florida]. And what amazes me about Bill is that he can stand in the circle of judges, which may be 100 people or so, and he knows everyone's name. He introduces everyone without a piece of paper.

What cars will you have on display?

One is a 1956 Cadillac Spohn, which is in a class of cars called "What Were They Thinking?" And we have a 1965 Cobra we're showing that has a great race history.

You've always been around automobiles.

My dad restored cars for a living. Getting into the business wasn't really a choice for me, it just became part of my life.

When did you know you were hooked?

When I was a kid, the biggest car show was [the antique car show] in Hershey, Pa. This was before Pebble Beach. It was the mecca, a national event. We'd go every year. I loved it.

What was the first car you ever owned?

The first was a 1914 Saxon. My dad gave it to me when I was 12 for getting good grades, and said "Now you have to restore it."

But you were only 12. Did you ever get to drive it?

Once. I kept the Saxon but never finished it. I had the body done, the upholstery done, then girls came along, motorcycles came along. ... I gave it back to my father when I was 40. He finished restoring it in about six months, and I drove it once, and he eventually sold it.

So what was the first car you ever drove?

The first car I could drive on the street was a 1966 MG 1100.

Do you have any personal favorite when it comes to cars?

I like all cars. That comes from my upbringing. My cousin built hot rods, so even when I was young I had exposure to all kinds of cars. I like station wagons, race cars - I have so many different cars in my collection, I think it would be very boring if you just concentrated on one.

How do you explain America's love affair with cars?

I think more than anything, at least when I was growing up, it represents freedom. You get your license, get in the car and can go anywhere - well, within the limits of what your parents will let you do. A car also represented who you were, it fit your personality and what you're like. And you get a passion for them. ... They're an unbelievable piece of machinery.

David Crumpler: (904) 359-4164