The Pinnacle of Automotive Artistry: Behind the Velvet Ropes at Audrain Motor Week 2026
By [Expert Author Name] | October 30, 2026
The gilded streets of Newport, Rhode Island, once whispered tales of Gilded Age titans and grand estates. Today, they echo with the symphony of high-octane engineering, the refined polish of automotive history, and the hushed reverence of collectors who seek the ultimate prize: the coveted Audrain Best of Show trophy. As an industry veteran with over a decade immersed in the world of automotive provenance, restoration, and concours judging, I can attest that the Audrain Concours d’Elegance transcends the definition of a car show; it is a curated museum brought to life, a testament to design evolution, and a crucible where automotive legend is forged.
My own journey into the high-stakes world of concours began not on the manicured lawns of Newport, but in the muddy trenches of vintage racing and the chaotic brilliance of shows like Concours d’LeMons—an experience that taught me the invaluable difference between ‘beautiful’ and ‘competitive.’ Now, serving as a judge at events like the Audrain Concours d’Elegance, I witness firsthand the razor-sharp distinction between aesthetic appreciation and historical accuracy. This is not merely about “cool cars.” It is about preserving cultural heritage and judging whether a machine perfectly represents its era, its engineering prowess, and the artisan craftsmanship of its birth.
From Miami Heat to Newport Chill: An Unlikely Invitation
The genesis of my appearance at Audrain 2026 traces back to the vibrant chaos of the Miami Auto Show (MODA), the passionate creation of RM Sotheby’s in response to industry consolidation. Faced with the poaching of nearly 30 employees by Hagerty’s Broad Arrow auction house, RM Sotheby’s effectively “stuck it” to Amelia Island, another world-class car event wholly owned by Hagerty. While the Audrain team had been extending invitations since its founding in 2019, it was in the Miami humidity that I finally accepted. Looking at Donald Osborne, the impeccably tailored, Italian-speaking, and opera-singing master of ceremonies who doubles as the spiritual advisor to Audrain, I blurted out the only logical question for an ego-fueled journalist: “Make me a judge?”
Osborne, radiating the charisma of a seasoned diplomat, flashed a disarming smile, waved a hand over me, and declared, “You’re a judge. See you in Newport.” The ego-driven impulse of asking why not me had finally manifested into reality.
The Audrain vs. Pebble: A Tale of Two Titans
For the uninitiated, there exists a hierarchy in the realm of classic car events, and the Audrain operates in a rarified stratum. Many argue that the Audrain has surpassed the legendary Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, which remains the “granddaddy” of all decadent, fancy-pants car gatherings. I experienced the Pebble Beach Concours for the first time many years ago, before the age of Instagram saturation and pervasive social media. It was a surreal awakening. I knew nothing about such events and had naively assumed the Sunday show was simply an elevated “Cars and Coffee.” I likely showed up in shorts and a t-shirt. However, what I did recognize was the significance of seeing my friend, Pulitzer Prize-winning automotive journalist Dan Neil, serving as an honorary judge. That realization planted a seed: “Why not me?”
Fast forward to 2026. The Audrain has solidified its position as a superior alternative to Pebble Beach. This sentiment is often echoed by automotive royalty. During The Gathering—Audrain’s answer to The Quail, held at Doris Duke’s opulent Newport “summer cottage” known as Rough Point—I participated in a live broadcast of the Spike’s Car Radio podcast with Seinfeld writer Spike Feresten (the inventor of “No soup for you!”). Our special guest was Jay Leno.
Leno, known for his legendary collections and his substantial residence in Newport, is an indispensable cornerstone of the Audrain Motor Week. To emphasize his connection, the mayor of Newport officially declared October 2, 2025, as Jay Leno Day. While the official proclamation was issued last year, the sentiment of his foundational role permeates the atmosphere year after year, and in 2026, his presence remains integral to the success of the event.
The Gauntlet of Judging: How to Earn the Ribbon
Serving as a judge during the main event on Sunday is an exercise in discernment and precision. As I sat at the judges’ breakfast, enjoying coffee, eggs, and sausage, Head Judge Phil Neff posed a direct question to the room: “Is there anyone here who hasn’t judged a concours?”
In a room filled with legendary names and seasoned veterans, no hands went up—including mine.
While I had never judged a high-stakes, prestigious Sunday event like the Audrain, I have judged the parody car show, Concours d’LeMons, so many times that I’ve completely lost count. I have sworn to never do it again, yet should I have raised my hand? Who knows. It’s cars, isn’t it? How hard could it be? Remember, my ego is undefeated. Why not me?
Neff and his team paired me with Ray Evernham, the NASCAR Hall of Fame crew chief who won everything, often alongside Jeff Gordon. Evernham and I clicked immediately, realizing we had both raced at Pikes Peak. Our task was to award the Sporting Choice Award—essentially, finding the most sporting car on the lawn.
I sought clarification from Head Judge Neff. Was he prioritizing sports cars or actual race cars? He simply smiled and replied, “Yes.” This meant we were responsible for reviewing and judging every car present that featured either two doors or no doors. That encompasses well over 100 vehicles, and we had only two hours to make our decisions.
The Sport of Selection: Navigating the Field
Sporting our judge hats, complete with credentials, clipboards, No. 2 pencils, and navy blazers, Evernham and I stepped onto the field and quickly formulated a strategy. As is standard practice at all concours, the cars are segregated into classes based on make, model, and era. Our approach was to evaluate each class, identify the car that “popped,” and compile a shortlist of our top four or five favorites.
Crucially, we were explicitly instructed not to get bogged down in the typical nitpicky minutiae that often plagues modern car judging. Who cares if the trunk lining is incorrect? In fact, under no circumstances should a trunk be opened. The focus is on the holistic impression: originality, condition, design, and presentation.
Still Not So Simple: The Divide in Excellence
Two of the classes made it abundantly clear that my earlier “Why not me?” fantasy faced significant challenges. Class D consisted of Ford GT40 road cars. To my count, there were six vehicles, all of near-identical quality, representing GT40 Mk1 homologation specials. In truth, every single car looked equally awesome. Without checking carb-bolt alignment (as per instructions), I have absolutely no idea how one would choose a winner. We couldn’t. In short, the judges assigned to Class D were required to be genuine subject matter experts to make such a definitive call.
The same applied to Class A, the Prewar Alfa Romeo division, which featured six astoundingly excellent 8Cs. I couldn’t even begin to articulate why the specific car that won its class was selected. However, the burgundy beauty did go on to win Best of Show, and inexplicably, that outcome made total sense.
Despite these formidable challenges, we managed to compile a shortlist of favorites. However, sacrifices had to be made. I was captivated by a Lamborghini 3500 GTZ Zagato Coupe, a car I had never encountered before. It turns out to be one of only two ever built, with the other reportedly kept entirely away from public view. While the Zagato Lamborghini was novel and awe-inspiring, it simply did not fit the criteria for the Sporting Choice Award.
For his part, Evernham was extremely impressed with an exceedingly rare Allard JR that had raced at the 1952 24 Hours of Le Mans. However, I quickly realized he owns three Allards, and we were advised to strike the JR from our list. Despite its rarity and racing provenance, it did not stand out as the most “sporting” option. The Allard JR, fitted with a Jaguar C-Type body to comply with new Le Mans regulations but still powered by a 5.3-liter Cadillac V-8, remains the most successful of the seven Allard JRs ever constructed.
The Decisive Moment: Third Place Showdown
The most agonizing decision we faced was awarding third place. The competition was narrowed down to two outstanding automobiles: an oligarchic 1938 Talbot-Lago T150 C Lago Figoni et Falaschi Teardrop Coupe and a light green 1951 Cisitalia 202SC Pinin Farina Cabriolet.
I have always been a sucker for post-war Alfas. I don’t know exactly why, but I just love them to pieces. I suppose it’s primarily the Bakelite used on all the switchgear. This particular 6C was finished in a handsome blue and boasted a remarkable backstory. Its present owner had not driven the car since 1973 until the day before the Concours d’Elegance, participating in the Audrain Tour d’Elegance. It was a spectacular machine, but
