Bortz Auto Collection Concept Cars Return to Amelia Island Concours D'elegance March 11-13, 2016

Amelia Island, FL, December 29, 2015 (Newswire.com) - ​Bortz Auto Collection is proud to announce that they have been invited by Bill Warner of Amelia Island to have two of its newest concept cars to be the stars of the show. 

The first is the 2001 Lincoln MK9 designed by Gerry McGovern.  This car was the hit of the 2001 New York Auto Show and it is a one-off show car.  

Gerry McGovern designed the 2001 Lincoln Mark 9 concept car using styling cues from the previous Lincoln Mark Series that made it the major star of the 2001 New York Automotive show. Joe Bortz said that the 2003 Mercury Messenger concept car that was designed by Gerry McGovern, head designer of Ford Motor Company at the time, is such a striking automotive sculpture that had it been produced it certainly would have saved the Mercury Division of Ford Motor Company.

Joe Bortz, Founder of the Bortz Auto Collection

Link to 2001 Lincoln MK9 concept unveiled at the New York Auto Show

When the 2001 Lincoln MK 9 was shown at the at the Winnetka Coffee & Classics., somebody took this video.  

WATCH: Video of 2001 Lincoln MK 9

The second car that will be on display together with the 2001 Lincoln MK9 is the 2003 Mercury Messenger.  This car was scheduled to save Mercury Division of the Ford Motor Company.  The 2003 Mercury Messenger was introduced in 2003 to the press at the Ford Auditorium by Chris Theodore and Gerry McGovern.  This prototype was lowered on a platform from the ceiling by a cable in one of the most dramatic introductions of any show car ever.  The car was setup with an electric drive system.  There are many that believe that had this car been produced it could have saved the Mercury Division of the Ford Motor Company. 

WATCH: Link to video of the introduction of the 2003 Mercury Messenger 
(You can skip to 5:58 on the video to go direct to the descent of the Messenger from the ceiling.)

The Bortz Auto Collection was founded by Joseph Bortz and has saved over forty American cars of the 1950s through 2003. 

About 2001 LINCOLN MK9

2001 LINCOLN MK9 designed by Gerry McGovern and was the hit of the 2001 New York auto show.  It is built on a Lincoln chassis with an Italian composite body and fabulous proportions and matching absolutely futuristic interior.

DOHC V8 engine, automatic transmission, four-wheel independent coil spring suspension, and four-wheel power anti-lock disc brakes. Wheelbase: 121.9" 

- Timeless elegance born of inherent simplicity
- Striking ergonomic interior
- Heritage styling cues with future concepts

The last Lincoln Mark VIII went out of production at the end of 1998.  For three years, ambiguity reigned, until the April 2001 New York International Auto Show. There, suddenly, was a concept of what Lincoln envisioned for the future: the MK9.

The interior is striking, a combination of Dark Cherry Red and Marlboro Red leathers with accents of polished metal. Dark Cherry saddle leather is used on the floor and white leather in the headliner. The front seats, which are cantilevered off the center console to improve passenger foot room, are inspired by the Eames Lounge Chair, a mid-20th Century American classic, which was designed for comfort. 

There are visual connections between exterior and interior, such as the body-colored seat shells and the horizontal chrome finishers. The symmetrical dashboard is clean and simple. The etched glass instruments are crafted with jewel-like quality and illuminated indirectly.

This vehicle runs and drives.

About 2003 MERCURY MESSENGER

The 2003 Mercury Messenger is the car that was going to save and probably would have!  It is a two-passenger car that’s design is filled with adrenaline. The proportions are perfect and there is not a bad side angle on the car.  Be sure to take a look at the introduction of the car when it was dropped down from the ceiling at the auditorium on a platform with attached ropes – see video and fast forward to 5:58 of the video to see the Mercury descending from the ceiling.

The car has an energetic stance accented by the spoked wheels that has a turbine theme with veins reflecting the Mercury Flying M logo.  The functional veins helped to cool the brakes.  The body was a lightweight aluminum hydro-formed monocle while forming part of the integral occupant safety cell. 

This experimental car was equipped with electric motors to drive it and to operate all its power equipment.  The car was equipped with computer active independent suspension on all four wheels and anti-lock brakes with bimbo disks and high performance calipers.

It is true that this car was originally planned to be operated by a V8 gas powered engine but secretly it was also the idea of either making it a high bred or possibly a full electric car. 

Since the Bortz Auto Collection acquired this car in 2014 it has enhanced the electric drive so that the car could be capable of speeds in excess of highway speed limits.  The car is fully equipped with power steering, large disk brakes and full lighting system.

These two cars are both designed by Gerry Mcgovern and allow Bill Warner, founder of the Amelia Island Concours, to be avante garde by presenting cars that are of the turn of the 21st century.

For further information contact the Bortz Auto Collection at 847-668-2004 cell or [email protected]