The Audrain Concours d’Elegance 2026: A Deep Dive into America’s Gilded Age of Automotive Excellence
For the discerning collector, the pinnacle of automotive appreciation often resides in the rarefied air of a world-class concours d’elegance. Across the Atlantic, the Concours of Elegance and Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este stand as legendary benchmarks. But in the United States, a new titan has emerged, carving its place alongside this historic tradition. Welcome to the Audrain Concours d’Elegance, a breathtaking celebration of automotive artistry held annually in the historic seaside city of Newport, Rhode Island.
This event, which has rapidly become a must-attend fixture on the global collector calendar, represents more than just a car show. It is a meticulously curated experience, blending the unmatched splendor of Newport’s Gilded Age architecture with some of the most significant and beautiful automobiles ever built. Hosted by the Audrain, a members-only club dedicated to preserving and celebrating the art of the motor car, the Concours has quickly established itself as the premier automotive event on the American East Coast.
In this comprehensive analysis, we will explore the genesis, structure, judging process, and unique appeal of the Audrain Concours. Drawing upon the wisdom of industry experts and the experience of those who have walked the hallowed lawns, we will uncover what makes this event so special and why it is rapidly ascending to the global elite of concours events.
The Audrain: More Than Just a Club
To understand the Audrain Concours d’Elegance, one must first understand the Audrain itself. Founded by Nick and Leslie Meehan, the Audrain started as a private membership club in a historic building on Bellevue Avenue in Newport, Rhode Island. The club quickly attracted an international membership of car enthusiasts, collectors, and industry professionals.
The mission of the Audrain is rooted in education and preservation. The founders sought to create a space where the history of automotive design and engineering could be preserved, appreciated, and passed on to future generations. This ethos extends beyond the clubhouse to the Audrain Concours d’Elegance, which serves as the crowning event of the club’s calendar.
The Spirit of Newport
Newport, Rhode Island, provides the perfect backdrop for the Audrain Concours. This city, steeped in history and known for its stunning architecture and coastal beauty, offers a sense of timeless elegance that complements the vintage automobiles on display. The Audrain Concours has become a centerpiece of Newport’s autumn calendar, drawing collectors, enthusiasts, and members from around the world.
A Global Competitor
In the competitive world of concours events, the Audrain Concours d’Elegance has quickly emerged as a major contender. While it may not possess the 80-year history of Pebble Beach or the romantic charm of Amelia Island, the Audrain has made its mark through its professional organization, elite judging panel, and dedication to automotive excellence.
The event has garnered praise from industry veterans, including legendary automotive journalist Dan Neil, who has called the Audrain Concours one of the best car shows on the calendar. Similarly, Jay Leno, an avid car collector and media personality, has publicly endorsed the event, describing it as reminiscent of Pebble Beach 15 years ago. Leno, who also owns a home in Newport, is a strong supporter of the Audrain’s mission and actively participates in the festivities.
A Concours in the Making: From Spite to Sophistication
The Audrain Concours’ emergence is a story of competition, vision, and a touch of audacity. The event was partly inspired by the rivalry between RM Sotheby’s and Hagerty’s Broad Arrow auction house. When Hagerty acquired Amelia Island in 2023, poaching nearly 30 employees from RM Sotheby’s, RM responded by launching its own premier automotive show, MODA (Miami International Auto Show), in 2024.
In a bid to establish a major concours event, the Audrain entered the scene in 2019. With its deep roots in the Newport automotive community, the Audrain had a unique advantage. The club reached out to key figures in the industry, inviting them to participate in and judge at the Concours.
A Conversation That Changed Everything
One of the pivotal moments in the Audrain Concours’ history came during the MODA show in Miami. This event, founded by RM Sotheby’s as a direct competitor to Amelia Island after Hagerty acquired its employees, provided a stage for the Audrain to make its presence felt.
During MODA, the Audrain’s team engaged with Donald Osborne, a renowned automotive expert, auctioneer, and the Italian-speaking, bowtie-wearing master of ceremonies for the Audrain Concours. The conversation was direct and ambitious. The Audrain asked Osborne if he would consider joining the judging panel.
“Make me a judge?” Osborne recalled asking.
Without hesitation, Osborne received an affirmative response. “You’re a judge. See you in Newport,” he was told. This was the start of something significant. Osborne became an integral part of the Audrain Concours team, lending his expertise and influence to the event.
The Allure of the Gilded Age
The Audrain Concours d’Elegance stands apart due to its exclusive location and atmosphere. Held in the heart of Newport, a city synonymous with the Gilded Age, the Concours is surrounded by historic mansions that once housed America’s wealthiest families. This setting provides a backdrop of unparalleled elegance and romance.
The Audrain Gathering
Another key event in the Audrain calendar is The Gathering, held at Rough Point. Owned by Doris Duke, a legendary heiress and philanthropist, Rough Point served as Duke’s “summer cottage” and is now one of the most opulent properties in Newport. The Gathering at Rough Point is a prestigious event that attracts top collectors and automotive enthusiasts. It serves as a preview of the upcoming Concours, featuring high-caliber cars and an elite guest list.
Jay Leno, an avid participant in The Gathering, has spoken fondly of his experiences at the event. During a live podcast recording of “Spike’s Car Radio” with host Spike Feresten at Rough Point, Leno emphasized that the Audrain Condours reminds him of Pebble Beach in its earlier days—a testament to the event’s growing reputation and potential. Leno, who owns a considerable collection of cars and a home in Newport, is a significant advocate for the Audrain and its mission.
The Craft of Judging: A Masterclass in Selection
One of the most critical aspects of any concours d’elegance is the judging process. The quality of the judging panel is a direct reflection of the event’s prestige and authenticity. The Audrain Concours has assembled a world-class team of judges, each bringing unique expertise and experience to the task.
Serving as a Judge
For some, the opportunity to serve as a judge at a concours event is a dream come true. While many have experience with casual car gatherings, the Audrain Concours d’Elegance represents a higher standard of judging.
In 2026, as the Audrain Concours approached, some potential judges found themselves facing a humbling moment. As they sat at the judges’ breakfast, enjoying coffee and pastries, the head judge asked if anyone had ever judged a concours before. A surprising number of hands remained raised, including the hand of the narrator of this account.
This highlights a common reality: while many enthusiasts appreciate cars, judging at a formal concours d’elegance requires a different level of expertise. It involves understanding the nuances of automotive history, design, and engineering, as well as being able to identify the subtle differences that distinguish a good example from a concours-winning example.
The Challenge of Judging
Serving as a judge at the Audrain Concours d’Elegance is no easy task. The event features a wide range of rare and historically significant automobiles, each representing a different era and style of automotive design. The judges are responsible for selecting the most deserving winners in each class, which can be a daunting challenge.
One of the key challenges is the sheer volume of cars. The Audrain Concours typically features more than 100 cars in the main show field. The judging panel is responsible for reviewing and evaluating each car within a limited timeframe, usually a few hours.
A Tale of Two Judges
One of the unique experiences of judging at the Audrain Concours involves partnering with other judges to evaluate cars within specific classes. The narrator was paired with Ray Evernham, a legendary NASCAR Hall of Fame crew chief known for his success with drivers like Jeff Gordon.
Evernham and the narrator had much in common, having both raced at Pikes Peak. They were tasked with judging the Sporting Choice Award, which recognizes the most sporting car on the show field.
The initial goal was to identify the most sporting cars, but as the judging progressed, it became clear that the definition of “sporting” was more flexible than anticipated. When asked for clarification, the head judge replied with a simple, “Yes,” meaning the judges were responsible for looking at and evaluating every car with either two doors or no doors. This gave them a broad scope, including sports cars, grand tourers, and even some sedans with sporting variants.
The Judging Process: Selection and Evaluation
The judging process at the Audrain Concours d’Elegance follows a structured approach. The cars are divided into classes, and the judging panel is tasked with evaluating each car within its respective class.
Breaking Down the Process
To simplify the process, the judges typically work through each class systematically. The goal is to identify the most outstanding examples and select the top four or five favorites from each class. The judging panel is instructed
