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Newport’s Gilded Roar: Unpacking the Future of Classic Concours d’Elegance in 2026
A veteran automotive expert’s deep dive into the Audrain Motor Week and the evolution of competitive car shows as the industry grapples with electrification and shifting tastes
Executive Summary: The New Dawn of Decadence
The Audrain Concours d’Elegance stands today at a fascinating crossroads, embodying both the rich legacy of 20th-century automotive craftsmanship and the rapidly evolving landscape of 21st-century mobility. As a judge at the 2025 event, I witnessed firsthand the unique synergy between historical reverence and modern innovation that defines this world-class concours. This article explores the current state and future trajectory of classic car judging in the age of electric vehicles (EVs), the strategic decisions facing vintage car enthusiasts in 2026, and the potential challenges for auction houses competing in the saturated luxury car market. While the traditional sports car market remains vibrant, the pressure to adapt is palpable. For collectors, understanding the future of events like the Audrain and RM Sotheby’s is critical for long-term wealth preservation and strategic acquisitions.
The Genesis of Audrain: A Challenger to the Crown
The Audrain Concours d’Elegance, founded in 2019, was conceived not merely to host another classic car event, but to actively challenge the dominance of Pebble Beach. It was born out of a desire to create an alternative that captured the essence of exclusivity and prestige without the perceived inertia of the Monterey Peninsula. The catalyst for this shift was significant: Hagerty’s purchase of Broad Arrow Auctions, which led to the poaching of nearly 30 key employees from RM Sotheby’s. This disruptive move spurred the creation of the Monterey Motorsport Development Association (MODA) in Miami and, more importantly, invigorated the team behind Audrain to solidify their place as a premier destination for high-end automotive excellence.
Donald Osborne, the charismatic master of ceremonies and the spiritual guide of the event, often joked that the Audrain captures the spirit of Pebble Beach as it was perhaps 15 years ago. The community is tightly knit, featuring industry icons like Jay Leno, who has become an indispensable fixture of Audrain Motor Week. His involvement, including the proclamation of “Jay Leno Day” on October 2, 2025, underscores the event’s growing cultural significance. Leno himself often refers to Audrain as surpassing Pebble Beach, a sentiment echoed by many long-time participants. However, the question remains: can Audrain truly carve out its own identity while remaining true to the rigorous standards of classic car judging?
For vintage car collectors, the choice between Audrain and Pebble Beach often comes down to a subtle distinction in atmosphere. While Pebble Beach exudes a timeless, old-world glamour that many find irresistible, Audrain has successfully cultivated an air of progressive luxury. The establishment of “The Gathering” at Doris Duke’s Rough Point—the Audrain’s answer to The Quail—offers a more intimate, curated experience. As the industry evolves, discerning collectors must weigh factors like insurance costs and the availability of financing options for these multi-million-dollar assets, making the choice of event participation a strategic financial decision.
The Rigors of Classic Car Judging: Navigating Nuance and Subjectivity
Stepping into the role of a judge for the first time at a major event like the Audrain is an experience fraught with both honor and humility. It forces a reckoning with one’s own expertise and ego. Unlike my frequent judging roles at the parody show Concours d’LeMons, where the emphasis is on absurdity rather than authenticity, the Audrain demands a level of precision and historical accuracy that borders on the scientific. The question that arises for many newcomers is: “How hard could it be?”
At the 2025 event, the answer quickly became clear: classic car judging is anything but simple. I was paired with Ray Evernham, the legendary NASCAR crew chief whose resume is etched in championship victories. Our task was to award the Sporting Choice Award, a prize recognizing the car that best exemplifies athletic beauty. The criteria were intentionally broad: look for the most “sporting” car. This ambiguity initially confused me. Were we looking for sports cars or actual race cars?
Head Judge Phil Neff’s answer was a wry, “Yes.” This confirmed that we were tasked with examining every two-door or no-door vehicle on the lawn—well over 100 cars—within a strict two-hour timeframe. Sporting navy blazers, medallions, clipboards, and pencils, Evernham and I set out to triage the competition. Like all concours, the field is divided into classes. Our strategy was to analyze each class and identify our top four or five favorites without getting bogged down in the minutiae that often plagues modern luxury car judging. Forget the trunk lining; don’t even open the trunk.
The Difficulty of Distinction: Prewar Precision and homologation Specials
The sheer quality of the entries quickly highlighted the challenge of judging. Class D, featuring Ford GT40 Mk1 homologation specials, was a sea of near-identical perfection. These were not mere replicas; they were bona fide road cars built to satisfy racing regulations. Distinguishing between them without checking something as granular as carb-bolt alignment—which we were instructed not to do—was practically impossible. This demanded a level of subject matter expertise that few possess.
Similarly, Class A showcased six breathtakingly beautiful Alfa Romeo 8Cs. These prewar masterpieces represent the pinnacle of Italian automotive engineering. I could not explain why one car won its class, although it coincidentally went on to win Best of Show—a decision that, in hindsight, felt completely justified. The sports car market for these vehicles is astronomically expensive, and selecting a winner among such historical artifacts is a daunting task.
Award Selection: Sacrifice and Subjectivity
Selecting the winners involved difficult sacrifices. I was initially captivated by a Lamborghini 3500 GTZ Zagato Coupe—one of only two ever built and not publicly displayed. Its rarity and design were mesmerizing. However, as a novel curiosity, it wasn’t the right fit for the Sporting Choice Award. Evernham, a collector of Allard cars, was drawn to a rare Allard JR that raced at the 1952 24 Hours of Le Mans. Yet, knowing he owned three other Allards, we had to set it aside, despite its impressive history.
The most challenging decision was selecting third place. The contest was between a 1949 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS Touring Superleggera Coupe and a 1940 Cadillac Series 62 Bonham & Schwartz Convertible Victoria. As a sports car enthusiast and a lifelong lover of post-war Alfas, I was personally drawn to the 6C. Its Bakelite switchgear and handsome blue finish spoke to me. The car had a remarkable backstory: its owner had not driven it since 1973 until he drove it on the Audrain Tour d’Elegance the day before the main event.
However, the Cadillac was undeniably more sporting. It was one of two custom-bodied in Pasadena, California, by Bonham & Schwartz—the same firm that crafted Clarke Gable’s Duesenberg. The candy-red finish simply popped with that unmistakable luxury car charisma. This car was a survivor; its sibling was destroyed in a fire. Built for a wealthy Californian oil baron family, the Doheny clan, it represented the height of 1940s automotive extravagance. We awarded it our Honorable Mention.
The Sporting Choice: A Tale of Two Icons
The final decision for the Sporting Choice Award came down to two exceptional vehicles: 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” had undeniable provenance. It was the only long-wheelbase T150 C ever built, and its racing record is unmatched: built in 1938, it won the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa in 1948, making it the oldest sports car ever to win a Grand Prix. The thought of a 10-year-old car winning an F1 race today—and still winning awards at a concours—is astonishing.
However, the Talbot’s massive sunroof, dark paint, and slightly bloated proportions due to the elongated chassis led us to look elsewhere. The Cisitalia was simply superior. Evernham articulated the sentiment perfectly: “The Cisitalia just spoke to me. The combination of color, stance, and placement of chrome created a picture in my mind of driving it down a beautiful coastline wearing my vintage Wayfarers.”
Indeed, there is a reason the Museum of Modern Art includes a Cisitalia 202 in its permanent collection. These vintage sports cars are iconic works of art. On that day, in that color, and with its top down, the Cisitalia was the car we kept returning to. It tickled our fancy the hardest, and we awarded it the Sporting Choice Award.
What This Means for You: Navigating the Modern Car Market
Understanding events like the Audrain isn’t just about admiring beautiful classic cars; it’s about understanding the shifting luxury automotive market and how it impacts vintage car collectors today. The Audrain exemplifies a growing trend
