Jaguar Festival d’Elegance brings luxury vehicles to St. Armands Circle

By Ian Swaby
| 9:45 a.m. January 13, 2025

Sarasota's Zack and Greta Hamric sit in their 1956 Jaguar XK 140MC Roadster formerly owned by Hollywood star Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Sarasota's Zack and Greta Hamric spend 100 hours each year maintaining their 1956 Jaguar XK 140MC Roadster formerly owned by Hollywood stars Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones.

When they saw it at the St. Louis Car Museum & Sales four years ago, they quickly decided to purchase the vehicle.

In addition to the average of 12 miles per week they drive the car, they enjoyed showcasing it at St. Armands Circle Park, during Concours d'Elegance on Jan. 11.

Zack Hamric called the event "tremendous" because of the amount of Jaguar enthusiasts present, calling it a "great show" with a "beautiful job" of production.

Held by the Sun Coast Jaguar Club, the event allowed the public a free opportunity to view the British luxury vehicles, which came mainly from around Florida, as well as for members of the club and affiliated clubs to gather together.

Originally scheduled for Oct. 12, it had been postponed due to Hurricane Helene, and Hamric noted he was glad for the chance to support the businesses of St. Armands to help them move forward into the new year.

Club member Craig Green said members enjoy gathering together "because we love Jaguars, because we enjoy the legacy of Jaguars, the beauty of the car."

"Everybody likes supporting the club," he also said. "We like the camaraderie of it. It's a good group of people."

Santiago Fuintos, 13, and Alma Fuintos explore the cars.

Cars line the area of St. Armands circle.

Kristy Breningstall and Jonathan Breningstall, 7, take a look beneath a car hood.

Dan Parke and David Sunter look inside of a car.

Bill Kazanecki of Dunedin starts up his car.

Mark Burnett, Darlene Taggart and Mia explore the cars.

Club president Evan Eastman makes an announcement.

Peter Goldreich of Sarasota displays his 1969 Jaguar E-Type Series II

Stacie Johnson showcases her car to attendee Scott Veazey.

author

Ian Swaby

Ian Swaby is the Sarasota neighbors writer for the Observer. Ian is a Florida State University graduate of Editing, Writing, and Media and previously worked in the publishing industry in the Cayman Islands.