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Audrains Concours Motor Week the automotive lifestyle event returns to Newport, October 2nd-6th

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One of the premier automotive events of the year is returning to historic Newport, Rhode Island.  Audrain’s Motor Week kicks runs October 2nd to October 6th.   This is not just a car show, this is an automotive and a lifestyle event not to be missed.  Since its inception which we were thrilled to attend, Audrain’s Motor Week has become one of the premier automotive events in the world.

Newport is the birthplace of auto racing with William K. Vanderbilt and his friends racing at a Newport horse track back in 1900.  This event would later evolve into the Vanderbilt Cup Races.  Newport is rich with history from sailing, tennis, to racing, and  to being the summer playground of the wealthy during the Gilded Age.  This historic town is the perfect venue for Audrain’s Motor Week which concludes with Audrain’s Concours on the lawn at the beautiful Vanderbilt mansion, The Breakers. The back lawn of the Breakers which overlooks the ocean will feature over 180 cars. The cars are some of the finest and unique classic cars you will see anywhere.

The perfect setting for a Concours

The organizers have organized so many events for Motor Week you need to plan ahead.  The Concours Village is The Headquarters for this World-class Automotive Event! The International Tennis Hall of Fame acts the Concours Village for the Motor Week.

The Concours Village at the Tennis Hall of Fame

The Village is open through the Motor Week and will feature concessions from local restaurants, vendors with unique booths and experiences as well . Patrons will be able to enjoy great food from LaForge Restaurant and other exceptional Rhode Island restaurants, purchase official motor week merch, view some very special autos and motorcycles.  It is also where some fantastic seminars are held.

Any time during motor week visit the Audrain Automobile Museum to check out the latest exhibition. Each temporary exhibition features 15+ cars allowing for an in-depth look at a collection of remarkable vehicles.  This museum always displays some of the most unique and interesting cars.

Cars, cocktails, and food at the beautiful Rough Point estate

On Friday October 4th, Rough Point the beautiful former home of Doris Duke will host “The Gathering”.  We attending this event several times during Audrain Motor Week and it is outstanding.  The lawns overlooking the ocean are breathtaking. As you wander the ground you can sip champagne, wine, cocktails and beer and enjoy a unique collection of cars. Fine food and bites are also served. You’ll be in good company with comedian, Jay Leno and other car enthusiasts alike. Full-day ticket holders have access to the grounds from 11:00 am onward. Half-day ticket holders have access from 2:00 pm onward.  Rough Point is a mansion and a museum with an extensive collection of fine arts and a sprawling historic landscape with panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean.  This is not an event to be missed.  The Gathering runs 11 am to 5pm. Cars of all kinds including super rare concept cars have graced the lawn at The Gathering.

Classics on the Audrain tour gather on Bellevue Avenue

Saturday will feature the Tour D’Elegance. The Tour d’Elegance is the scenic drive for all cars that are participating in the Audrain Newport Concours d’Elegance and is a spectacle not worth missing. Cars are meant to be driven and this is a chance to see these amazing autos as the complete their tour and park on Bellevue Avenue right in front of the museum. Also on Saturday is a Cars and Coffee event starting at 8am for any classic car driver not on the tour.

The ultimate event, Sunday’s Concours d’Elegance is the pinnacle  of Audrain Newport Concours & Motor Week. The Concours team has gathered an outstanding  selection of judges from around the globe. The Concours classes cover the decades from early 1900 to 1980 with a focus on cars that exemplify the History, Luxury, and Sport of the automotive world. This is a judged event with over a dozen classes of cars. If you love cars or know one who does, this is the ultimate car event for automotive enthusiasts. The Concours opens at 8:30 am and concludes at 3:30pm.

There is so much to do during Motor Week including great seminars, Audrain’s Museum, Bonhams car auction, Wine By The Water, the Hilltop Hangout and more. So get your tickets now and start planning for a memorable experience in beautiful Newport.

You meet the nicest people at Audrain’s

Audrain Concours Motor Week

For tickets and information and to plan your visit: https://www.audrainconcours.com

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Audrain’s Concours Motor Week 2022. Recap of a great weekend in Newport

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Audrain’s Concours Motor Week  2022 was a great success.  A bit of inclement weather could not dampen the spirits of those who attended this fantastic automotive lifestyle event held in historic Newport Rhode Island.   Audrain’s Motor week was filled with events, parties, vendors, a tour of classic vehicles, seminars, and the Bonham’s auto auction.  The week concluded with the spectacular Concours d’elegance featuring over 150 beautiful cars on the lawn of The Breakers overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

The Gathering at Rough Point

We started our visit by heading to The Gathering at Rough Point, the mansion of Doris Duke (now a museum).   The lawn at Rough Point was the perfect venue for attendees to enjoy a fine display of automobiles while enjoying cocktails, wine and craft beer.  Local restaurants provided delicious food from oysters, lobster rolls, clam chowder to pizza.  There were several exceptional cars on the lawn including a Cadillac Cyclone concept car from the 1950s to the beautiful Pontiac Banshee concept car, which many attendees lamented that Pontiac should have put into production. There was an unveiling of a custom Land Rover which the builder had painstakingly converted into a classic “woody” wagon.  The craftsmanship was quite impressive. The panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean were the perfect backdrop for this memorable event. Friday afternoon also featured the Bonhams Auction at the Concours Village.  A fine selection of collector  cars were available for attendees to bid on.

Cadillac Concept Car
Jay Leno being interviewed at unveiling of a custom Woody Land Rover
The tour reaches Bellevue Avenue

Saturday provided more events including the Tour d’Elegance which stopped along the route in front of Audrain’s Museum and the Concours village.  The cars which were all part of Sunday’s Concours, took part in the driving tour around historic and scenic Newport.  Their arrival on Bellevue Avenue thrilled the crowd which enjoyed seeing this gathering of automotive classics. 

We also attended one of the many seminars.  This seminar hosted by Jay Ward (director of the Cars animated movies) and Vin di Bona (television producer) was entitled “Cars of the Silver Screen” and which was entertaining as it was informative.

Sunday was the pinnacle of Motor Week with the Concours d’Elegance on the lawn of The Breakers, the palatial summer home built in 1895 for Cornelius Vanderbilt II.  The 70 room mansion with its sweeping lawns overlooks the Atlantic Ocean which provides the perfect setting for a world class automotive event.

American pre war classics at the Concours

There were numerous classes of cars vying for awards including a special 30 under 30 Class which showcases cars from enthusiasts under the age 30, American Cars 1920-1932, American cars 1933-1940, American Luxury 1945-1980, American Sports,  Aston-Martin, British Sports Cars, Cadillac, Custom cars and Early Brass Era Cars.  It was a remarkable gathering of automotive history once again at Audrain’s. 

 A magnificent 1930 Bentley Speed Six owned by William Medcalf of Vintage Bentley took home the coveted ‘Best of Show’ trophy on  his matching-numbers Speed Six Bentley.  The  Bentley was supplied new to Viscount Mandeville, the 10th Duke of Manchester.

Best of Show

Audrain’s Concours Motor Week was a great success and a car lover’s dream.  Dates for the 2023 event have already been announced for Thursday September 28th to  Sunday October 1st 2023.   Tickets go on sale in the spring of 2023.   Audrain’s is not just a car show, it is a life style event.

Audrains Concours Motor Week

http://www.audrainsconcours.com

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