Audrain Motor Week 2026: The Pinnacle of Automotive Excellence (And Why It Matters to You)
By [Your Name], Industry Expert with 10 Years of Experience
Updated: November 21, 2026
For the past decade, I have immersed myself in the intoxicating world of high-end automobiles—from the raw adrenaline of classic race circuits to the hushed reverence of Concours d’Elegance events. These gatherings are not merely exhibitions of vintage metal; they are historical time capsules where automotive engineering, artistry, and provenance converge to create an unparalleled spectacle. If there is one event that perfectly captures this sublime blend of luxury, history, and competitive artistry, it is undoubtedly the Audrain Motor Week in Newport, Rhode Island.
The Audrain is more than just a car show; it is an ecosystem of automotive experiences meticulously orchestrated to appeal to the most discerning collectors, enthusiasts, and industry leaders. As I prepare for my second year serving as a judge at the centerpiece of this week-long celebration, the Audrain Concours d’Elegance, I want to share not just the highlights of the event, but the underlying philosophy that makes it so special and, importantly, what it teaches us about value, heritage, and the relentless pursuit of perfection.
The Audrain Experience: A Legacy in the Making
Newport, Rhode Island, provides the perfect backdrop for this automotive masterpiece. Home to the Gilded Age titans of industry, its mansions and cobblestone streets whisper tales of opulent history. It is within this grand setting that the Audrain Concours d’Elegance takes place, bringing together the world’s most spectacular automobiles—ranging from pre-war masterpieces to rare modern hypercars.
A Rivalry Born of Passion
The history of the Audrain is intertwined with a fascinating rivalry. It was born, in part, out of a strategic decision by the Audrain team to challenge the dominance of Amelia Island—another premier automotive event that had been acquired by Hagerty, the leading provider of collectible auto insurance and car culture content. This competitive spirit ignited by Hagerty’s acquisition of Amelia Island spurred the Audrain to elevate its own offerings, transforming its event into a global benchmark for automotive excellence.
Donald Osborne, the visionary chairman and co-founder of the Audrain, is the maestro behind this transformation. With his distinctive style—a tuxedo bowtie and a passion for Italian opera—Osborne embodies the elegance and sophistication of the event. Years ago, as I began attending The Gathering, Audrain’s exclusive preview event hosted at Doris Duke’s Rough Point, I remember gazing at the assembled classics and feeling an intense desire to be part of this world. It was a sentiment shared by many, myself included.
When the opportunity arose for me to serve as a judge at the 2026 Audrain Concours d’Elegance, I seized it without hesitation. Osborne’s infectious enthusiasm and dedication to the automotive community make the Audrain not just an event to attend, but a movement to be a part of.
Why Audrain? The Pebble Beach Comparison
For decades, Pebble Beach has been the reigning monarch of automotive Concours d’Elegance, but the Audrain is quickly positioning itself as a worthy successor. As I spoke with Jay Leno during The Gathering, he offered his astute perspective. In his estimation, the Audrain is “better than Pebble Beach,” or at least, it is what Pebble Beach was like 15 years ago.
Jay Leno, a devoted collector and a fixture in the Newport community, has been instrumental in the Audrain’s growth. His unwavering support, along with a proclamation from the city designating October 2, 2025, as Jay Leno Day, underscores his importance to this event. It speaks volumes when an icon like Leno endorses an event, and it certainly confirms that the Audrain is not just catching up; it is setting a new standard for automotive excellence.
The Art of Judging: Navigating Automotive Masterpieces
Serving as a judge at the Audrain is a humbling experience. It challenges your knowledge, your discernment, and your ability to remain objective when faced with such an extraordinary collection of automobiles. The challenge is to look beyond the surface appeal and evaluate each vehicle based on established criteria of authenticity, craftsmanship, and provenance.
The Judging Criteria
My first foray into judging a premier Concours was at the Audrain Concours d’Elegance. Seated at the judges’ breakfast, I was keenly aware of the talent around me. Head Judge Phil Neff asked if anyone had not judged a Concours before, and while no hands went up, I knew I was among automotive cognoscenti. But I also knew I had judging experience from the Concours d’LeMons, a satirical parody event. Should I have raised my hand? Perhaps, but as I looked at the array of historic vehicles before me, I asked myself the eternal question that drives every aspiring automotive authority: “Why not me?”
Neff paired me with Ray Evernham, the legendary NASCAR Hall of Famer and crew chief for championship-winning teams. Evernham and I immediately bonded over our shared experience at Pikes Peak. Our task was to award the Sporting Choice Award, a prize reserved for the most sporting car on the lawn.
I approached Neff for clarification. Were we to focus on sports cars, or actual race cars? His response—delivered with a knowing smile—was precisely the challenge I needed: “Yes.” This meant we had to judge every two-door or no-door vehicle, covering classes from pre-war Alfas to modern sports cars, all within a strict two-hour timeframe.
Armed with judge hats, clipboards, pencils, and navy blazers, Evernham and I stepped onto the field. The cars are organized into classes, so we divided our time among them, identifying the most impressive vehicles in each and compiling our top four or five favorites. Crucially, we were instructed to avoid the nitpicky minutiae that often plague car judging. Who cares if the trunk lining is technically incorrect? As we are reminded at the Audrain Concours d’Elegance, we are looking for the spirit of the machine—the artistry, the performance, and the heritage that make the car special.
The Difficulty of the Choice
Two classes particularly tested our resolve and highlighted why Audrain judges are the best in the business.
Class D, dedicated to Ford GT40 road cars, featured six near-identical Mk1 homologation specials. Each was a masterpiece in its own right, and without delving into the minutiae of carb-bolt alignment (which we were instructed to ignore), discerning a winner was virtually impossible. This is the mark of a truly exceptional Concours: the competition is so fierce that the differences are often infinitesimal, requiring deep expertise to make the final call.
The same was true for Class A, the pre-war Alfa Romeo division, which showcased six breathtaking 8Cs. I couldn’t tell you exactly why the winning car took the top spot, but I know it later went on to win Best of Show—and somehow, that made perfect sense.
Honoring the Spirit of Motoring
While we found exceptional vehicles, we had to make difficult choices.
One standout was a Lamborghini 3500 GTZ Zagato Coupe. I had never heard of it before—it turns out only two were ever built, and the other is kept deliberately away from the public. While this car radiated “Wow!,” it wasn’t the most sporting.
Evernham was captivated by a rare Allard JR, a 1952 Le Mans contender. However, I quickly discovered that he owns three Allards, so we removed the JR from our list. Despite this, the Allard remains a remarkable example of automotive history—fitted with a Jaguar C-Type body for the 1952 Le Mans regulations, yet powered by a 5.3-liter Cadillac V-8. It is the most successful of the seven Allards built, and a testament to innovation in motor racing.
The most difficult decision was for third place. We debated between a 1949 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS Touring Superleggera Coupe and a 1940 Cadillac Series 62 Bonham & Schwartz Convertible Victoria. I am a lifelong lover of postwar Alfas, and this car was stunning—finished in handsome blue with a fantastic backstory. Its owner hadn’t driven it since 1973 until the Audrain Tour d’Elegance the day before the Concours.
However, the Cadillac radiated more sporting energy. This car was one of two custom-bodied in Pasadena by Bonham & Schwartz (the same company that built Clark Gable’s Duesenberg). Its cherry red finish was spectacular and had that “wow factor” that is hard to quantify but easy to spot. It remains the only survivor of the two made; its sibling was lost in a fire. This Series 62 was built for the Doheny family—the founders of Beverly Hills. We awarded it third place, or in Audrain-speak, Honorable Mention.
The Final Verdict: A Celebration of Engineering and Artistry
The Sporting Choice Award came down to two exceptional cars: a 1938 Talbot-Lago T150 C Lago Figoni et Falaschi Teardrop Coupe and a light green 1951 Cisitalia 202SC Pinin Farina Cabriolet.
The Talbot “Goutte d’Eau” certainly had the provenance to win. It is the only long-wheelbase T150 C ever built (15 short-wheelbase
