The New American Riviera: A Deep Dive into the 2026 Audrain Concours d’Elegance
The golden age era of Newport, Rhode Island, is no longer just a playground for the ultra-wealthy; it’s the pulsing heart of the high-end automotive world. As the industry shifts towards electric vehicles, sustainable materials, and digital integration, the Audrain Concours d’Elegance stands as a monument to the power of heritage, craftsmanship, and unadulterated passion. For ten years, I’ve witnessed the Audrain evolve from a daring upstart to a titan in the global car show circuit. As the editor of a prominent automotive publication, I’ve been there every step of the way—from the initial whispers of its founding to the roar of engine today.
This isn’t just a nostalgia trip; it’s a masterclass in the luxury economy. The Audrain represents more than just rare vehicles; it’s a showcase of generational wealth, influence, and the global economic forces that shape our world. And at the center of it all is the Audrain itself, a burgeoning empire that includes a museum, a motorsports experience, and the ultimate automotive showcase: the Concours d’Elegance.
In recent years, the luxury car market has been a roller coaster. 2025 saw a cooling in resale values as interest rate hikes began to pinch the broader economy. Yet, paradoxically, the ultra-luxury sector—the realm of concours d’elegance—remained remarkably stable, buoyed by a persistent global demand for tangible assets. In 2026, we’re seeing a renewed interest in vintage and classic cars as hedge against inflation and a hedge against the perceived uncertainty of the electric transition.
The Evolution of Audrain: From Spite to Spectacle
The story of the Audrain is inextricably linked to the bitter rivalry between two giants of the automotive auction world: RM Sotheby’s and Hagerty/Broad Arrow. It started with a coup. When Hagerty purchased Amelia Island and subsequently poached nearly 30 top employees from RM Sotheby’s, the move sent seismic waves through the industry. The idea for Audrain was born out of spite—a defiant declaration that the heart of collectible automotive culture wouldn’t be controlled by a single company.
This rivalry fueled the birth of the Audrain Concours d’Elegance in 2019. The founders, seeing the golden age mecca of Newport as the perfect stage, sought to create a world-class event that rivaled the granddaddy of all car shows: Pebble Beach.
For years, I’d been seeing tweets and hearing murmurs about this new event across the pond. I’d heard how it was the “Pebble Beach of the East,” but I knew there was more to the story. When the call came from the Audrain team, asking if I’d be interested in joining the judging panel, I jumped at the chance. I flew out to Miami for their sister event, MODA, a high-end fashion and automotive show that has carved out its own niche in the market.
“Make me a judge?” I asked, the question rolling off my tongue before I could think better of it.
Donald Osborne, the charismatic master of ceremonies and spiritual guide of the Audrain, flashed his mega smile, waved a hand over me, and declared, “You’re a judge. See you in Newport.”
And so, I found myself stepping into the deep end of one of the most exclusive events in the collector car world, eager to offer my decade of industry experience to the mix.
The Audrain: Where Heritage Meets Future
The core concept of the Audrain remains the same. The “Audrain Experience” isn’t just a car show; it’s an entire week of events that create a holistic immersion into the automotive lifestyle. The week kicks off with The Gathering at Doris Duke’s Rough Point, a stunning estate in Newport that evokes the Gilded Age with its sweeping views and decadent architecture. It’s Audrain’s answer to The Quail, and it consistently attracts top-tier collectors, restorers, and automotive enthusiasts.
But what truly sets Audrain apart is how it embraces the future while honoring the past. The Audrain Museum, nestled in the heart of Newport, boasts one of the most extensive collections of vintage, antique, and classic cars in the United States. It’s a physical space that bridges generations of automotive history, from the earliest horseless carriages to early electric vehicles and concept cars of the 20th century.
In 2026, the museum’s collection is more relevant than ever. As the automotive world pivots to EVs, collectors are turning to vintage cars for their emotional appeal and intrinsic value. Owning a classic car is a tangible way to connect with a simpler era, to experience the raw emotion of driving a machine with a soul.
This sentiment is echoed by some of the biggest names in the industry. Jay Leno, a legend in the automotive world and a devoted Audrain supporter, once told Spike Feresten (of Seinfeld fame, and co-host of the “Spike’s Car Radio” podcast) that the Audrain reminds him of Pebble Beach 15 years ago. Given that Leno owns a “ridiculous house” in Newport, his support is more than just a token gesture; it’s an endorsement of the event’s vision and execution. His presence at The Gathering has become a staple of the Audrain experience, and he remains one of the most recognizable faces associated with the brand.
Navigating the Audrain: The Art of Judging
So, how does one judge a concours d’elegance? For me, it was an initiation. I’d attended Pebble Beach before, but I’d never actually participated as a judge. In the early days of my automotive career, I had naively assumed that shows like this were just glorified “Cars and Coffee” events—casual gatherings where people hang out and look at cool cars.
I remember showing up to my first Pebble Beach week in shorts and a T-shirt, only to realize the sheer magnitude of the event. Everyone was impeccably dressed, and the atmosphere was one of reverence and prestige. It was a stark reminder that these events are not just about looking at cars; they’re about judging them.
When it came time to serve as a judge at the Audrain Concours d’Elegance, I was seated at the judges’ breakfast enjoying coffee and eggs with my fellow judges when head judge Phil Neff asked, “Is there anyone here who hasn’t judged a concours?”
No hands went up, except mine.
I’d judged the parody car show, Concours d’LeMons, enough times to have lost count, and swore I’d never do it again. But should I have raised my hand? I wasn’t sure, but as I sat there, my undefeated ego whispered, “Why not me?”
Neff and his team paired me up with Ray Evernham, the NASCAR Hall of Fame crew chief who won everything with Jeff Gordon. Evernham and I hit it off immediately as we realized we’d both raced at Pikes Peak. Our task: to award the Sporting Choice Award, the prize for the most sporting car on the lawn.
“So, what are we looking for?” I asked Neff for some clarification. “Sports cars or actual race cars?”
He smiled, a knowing glint in his eye. “Yes,” he replied.
That meant we were looking at every car with two doors or no doors. Over 100 cars, and we had only two hours to make our selections.
Armed with our judge hats, clipboards, No. 2 pencils, and navy blazers, Evernham and I stepped onto the field, our plan in place. At all concours, cars are broken down into classes based on make, model, era, and body style. We decided to go through each class, identify the cars that “popped,” and select our top four or five favorites. Our instructions were clear: do not get bogged down with the typical nitpicky minutiae that plagues modern car judging. Who cares if the trunk lining is wrong? In fact, don’t even open the trunk.
Finding the Sporting Choice: An Intimate Look at the Judging Process
As we began judging, it became clear that this wouldn’t be as simple as it seemed. Class D consisted of Ford GT40 road cars, about six that looked nearly identical—perfect, top-tier, homologation specials. Without checking carb-bolt alignment (which we were explicitly told not to do), picking a winner was nearly impossible. The people judging this class had to be experts to make this call. The same was true with Class A, the prewar Alfa Romeo division, which featured six mind-blowingly excellent 8Cs. I honestly couldn’t tell you why the car that won its class did so, but somehow that burgundy beauty went on to win Best of Show, and in hindsight, that part totally makes sense.
We still managed to narrow down our list. I was completely captivated by a Lamborghini 3500 GTZ Zagato Coupe—a car I’d never heard of before (it turns out only two were ever built, and the other is kept out of public view). However, I realized that as novel and “Wow!” as I thought the Zagato Lambo was, it wasn’t the most sporting car in our pool.
For his part, Evernham was highly interested in an exceedingly rare Allard JR that had raced at the 1952 24 Hours of Le Mans. However, I quickly discovered that he owns three Allards,
