The week of September 30 – October 4th, 21 Newport will set the stage for another a great event by Newport Rhode Island standards. This was the week the town opened it’s arms to the Audrain’s Newport Concours & Motor Week. Auto lovers will flock into the many venues showcasing some of the finest automobiles and motorcycles in America for 4 days and nights of auto shows, music, conferences, parties, and food. It’s an automotive enthusiast’s dream.
During the Audrain’s Newport Concours & Motor Week, chaired by Jay Leno you can choose how much to see and where to go. Some venues were costly other not as much. Anchoring the event is The International Tennis Hall of Fame Concours Village which opens daily with autos on display as well as concessions from local restaurants and vendors.
The Gathering at the Doris Duke mansion “Rough Point” put together cars and food. The guests could walk among the newest of autos in the high end market while also sampling food and spirits from some of Newport’s restaurants. There were cooking demonstrations by “Chef Ben” of the reality show “Below Deck” and other demonstrations by local and Food Channel and celebrity chefs as well. There was a confection truck courtesy off “M x Baccarat.” Several autos were unveiled during the day including an Aston Martin DBS GT Zagato, Bugatti, and some 70 rare cars.
The week was structured so that everyone could enjoy some aspect of the car culture from totally immersing yourself in every event from Thursday through Sunday to catching a glimpse of a spectacular McClaren or 1930’s era auto on the streets of Newport or parked at one of the many mansions on Belleview Avenue.
The event week culminated with the Audrian’s Concours d’Elegance held at storied The Beakers Mansion which provided one last stunning backdrop for the autos, some of which dated back to the heyday of the Mansions on Bellevue during the time of The Vanderbilt Cup.
For the first time at any Concours d’Elegance, Audrain’s Newport Concours & Motor Week there was a special 30 Under 30 class at the Concours d’Elegance on Sunday, October 6th at the Breakers.
The 30 Under 30 is a class designed for hobbyists under thirty years of age who have not spent more than $30,000 on their projects. This class has been developed to encourage young people to get involved in the hobby of car collecting and restoration. By having this officially judged class, it’s goal is to foster growth within the collector hobby, by showing young people that collecting and restoring is not just for the affluent, and isn’t limited to cars in the hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars. This was a huge success and perhaps a turning point for the Concours as it begins a new era and hopes to bring in new and younger patrons.
This year’s Audrain’s Newport Concours & Motor Week exceeded expectations and changed the complexion of Newport to a car town and not just a sailing mecca. We look forward to covering next year and a fantastic celebration of the history of the automobile and motorcycles as well as some of the most coveted new offerings for the unveiling. Hopefully, this will become a yearly fall tradition in New England.
https://www.audrainconcours.com/
#ACMW2019 #AudrainConcours #Audrain
Article by Donna Erichsen
Photos by George Bekris
Best of Show
1927 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A S Fleetwood
People’s Choice Award
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Coupe
Petrolicious Best Story Award
1954 Maserati A6 GCS Spyder
1956 Maserati A6/2000 Zagato Berlinetta
Chairman’s Choice Award
1952 Ferrari 212 Europa Pinin Farina Cabriolet
The Sporting Choice Award
1939 Bugatti Type 57 Aravis Roadster
Founder’s Choice Award
1901 Panhard et Levassor Type B1
Timeless Luxury Award
1968 Lamborghini Miura
Most Elegant Award
1927 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A S Fleetwood
Excellence in Design Award
1964 Ferrari 250GT Lusso
2019 AWARD WINNERS
Class 1: Historic Newport
3rd: 1915 Stutz Bearcat
2nd: 1899 Marot-Gardon
1st: 1923 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost
Class 2: Luxury Cars 1900-1919
3rd: 1911 Mercedes Phaeton
2nd: 1909 Pierce-Arrow 36UU Touring
1st: 1911 Packard Model 30
Class 3: Luxury Cars 1920-1942
3rd: 1932 Packard 904 Deluxe Eight Convertible Victoria
2nd: 1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Mayfair DHC
1st: 1927 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A S Fleetwood
Class 4: Luxury Cars 1945-1960
3rd: 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SE Cabriolet
2nd: 1948 Pontiac Silver Streak Woodie
1st: 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300Sc
Class 5: Sporting Cars 1920-1942
3rd: 1920 Cunningham V3
2nd: 1929 DuPont Speedster
1st: 1931 Ballot RH3
Class 6: Sporting Cars 1945-1954
3rd: 1953 Allard Palm Beach Roadster
2nd: 1953 Chevrolet Corvette
1st: 1953 Siata 200CS Coupe
Class 7: Sporting Cars 1955-1959
3rd: 1957 Ford Thunderbird
2nd: 1956 Chevrolet Corvette
1st: 1958 Lancia Aurelia B24S Convertible
Class 8: Sporting Cars 1960-1966
3rd: 1965 Pontiac GTO Convertible
2nd: 1965 Lamborghini 350 GT
1st: 1965 Ferrari 265 GT Lusso
Class 9: Sporting Cars 1967-1970
3rd: 1967 Chevrolet Corvette
2nd: 1967 Ferrari 330 GTS
1st: 1968 Oldsmobile 442 Convertible
Class 10: Racing Cars 1948-1970
3rd: 1956 Maserati A6/2000 Zagato Berlinetta
2nd: 1955 OSCA MT4 Barchetta
1st: 1951 Nash Healey LeMans Prototype
Class 11: 30 Under 30
3rd: 1965 Chevrolet Corvair Corsa
2nd: 1980 Mercedes-Benz 300D
1st: 1976 BMW 2002
Class 12: Bugatti Touring Cars
3rd: 1936 Bugatti Type 57 Atalante
2nd: 1939 Bugatti Type 57 Stelvio
1st: 1938 Bugatti Type 57 d’Ieteren Cabriolet
Class 13: Bugatti Race Cars
2nd: 1920 Bugatti Type 13
1st: 1926 Bugatti Type 37 Grand Prix
