The Audrain Motor Week in 2026: Judging the Ultimate Classic Car Spectacle in Newport
For years, Jay Leno has been quoted as saying the Audrain Motor Week is better than Pebble Beach. As one of the most respected figures in the automotive world, Leno’s endorsement carries significant weight among car enthusiasts and collectors. But what exactly makes the Audrain Week so special? The answer lies in its unique blend of automotive excellence, automotive innovation, and historical preservation, all delivered with the elegance of a bygone era.
Established in 2019 by Donald Osborne, the Audrain Motor Week has rapidly ascended to become a premier event in the global automotive calendar. It is often described as having the soul of Pebble Beach 15 years ago, yet with its own distinct identity. This combination of classic charm and modern sophistication is precisely what attracts collectors and enthusiasts from around the world to Newport, Rhode Island, every fall.
Building an Empire from Spite: The Birth of the Audrain
The foundation of the Audrain Motor Week is itself a testament to the competitive spirit of the automotive community. The event was founded by Donald Osborne in response to a business move by Hagerty’s Broad Arrow auction house, which had poached nearly 30 employees from RM Sotheby’s. As a former RM Sotheby’s executive, Osborne felt compelled to respond to this disruption in the market.
Driven by a desire to restore what he believed was the golden age of car events, Osborne founded the Audrain in 2019. The event was established in Newport, Rhode Island, a city steeped in history and luxury, which provided the perfect backdrop for a world-class car show. The Audrain was designed to be a new benchmark for excellence, combining the prestige of world-class auction houses with the thrill of automotive innovation.
The name of the event, The Audrain Motor Week, is derived from the Audrain Highway in Rhode Island, a scenic drive along the coast that is one of the most beautiful roads in the country. This is the perfect setting for the Audrain to showcase its collection of rare and unique vehicles, as it is a road that automotive enthusiasts can enjoy for miles on end.
In this article, we will dive into the world of The Audrain Motor Week in 2026, exploring what makes this event so special and why it continues to draw automotive enthusiasts from around the world.
The Audrain Motor Week in 2026: A World-Class Event
The Audrain Motor Week in 2026 is poised to be another spectacular event, with a lineup of activities that would make any car enthusiast’s heart skip a beat. The event will take place in Newport, Rhode Island, from October 1st to October 4th, 2026. The event will feature a variety of automotive events, including a concourse d’elegance, a road rally, a car auction, and a variety of other activities that will appeal to automotive enthusiasts of all levels.
One of the highlights of the Audrain Motor Week is the Concours d’Elegance, a prestigious car competition that showcases some of the world’s rarest and most valuable automobiles. The Concours d’Elegance is judged by a panel of world-class automotive experts, who are tasked with judging each car based on its historical accuracy, aesthetic appeal, and overall condition. The event is a celebration of automotive excellence, and it is a testament to the passion and dedication of automotive enthusiasts.
The Audrain Motor Week also features a road rally, which allows participants to drive their classic cars along some of the most scenic roads in the country. The road rally is a celebration of automotive history, and it is a way for participants to experience the thrill of driving a classic car in a way that would not be possible at a car show. The road rally is a fun and exciting way to experience the Audrain Motor Week, and it is a way for participants to connect with other automotive enthusiasts.
The Audrain Motor Week also features a car auction, which is a way for participants to buy and sell classic cars. The car auction is a way for participants to acquire a piece of automotive history, and it is a way for participants to connect with other automotive enthusiasts. The car auction is a fun and exciting way to experience the Audrain Motor Week, and it is a way for participants to connect with other automotive enthusiasts.
If you are an automotive enthusiast, then the Audrain Motor Week in 2026 is an event that you do not want to miss. It is a celebration of automotive excellence, and it is a testament to the passion and dedication of automotive enthusiasts.
What Makes the Audrain Week Special?
The Audrain Motor Week is more than just a car show; it is an experience. The event is a celebration of automotive history, innovation, and passion, and it is a way for automotive enthusiasts to connect with each other and with the automotive world.
One of the things that makes the Audrain Week so special is its unique combination of historical preservation and automotive innovation. The event features a variety of rare and unique automobiles, as well as a variety of modern and futuristic concept cars. This combination of old and new is what makes the Audrain Week so special, and it is what attracts automotive enthusiasts from around the world.
Another thing that makes the Audrain Week so special is its focus on community and education. The event features a variety of educational seminars and workshops, as well as a variety of opportunities for participants to connect with each other and with the automotive world. This focus on community and education is what makes the Audrain Week so special, and it is what attracts automotive enthusiasts from all levels of experience.
In addition to these unique features, the Audrain Motor Week is also a celebration of luxury and lifestyle. The event features a variety of exclusive events, such as private parties, dinners, and other activities that are designed to appeal to automotive enthusiasts of all levels of experience.
If you are an automotive enthusiast, then the Audrain Motor Week is an event that you do not want to miss. It is a celebration of automotive excellence, and it is a testament to the passion and dedication of automotive enthusiasts.
How to Judge a Concours d’Elegance: A Judge’s Perspective
When attending the Audrain Concours d’Elegance as a judge, the experience is both exhilarating and challenging. Unlike the parody car show, the Audrain Concours is a serious competition where the standards are rigorous. The judges are tasked with looking at and judging every car present in a specific class, and in some classes, this means assessing over 100 cars in a matter of hours.
For the Sporting Choice Award, the task is to find the most sporting car on the lawn. This requires a careful eye for detail and a deep understanding of what makes a car “sporting”. The judges must also consider factors such as the car’s historical accuracy, its aesthetic appeal, and its overall condition. It is not enough to just look at the car; the judges must also think about the car’s history and the story behind it.
In the prewar Alfa Romeo division, the competition is fierce. The judges are presented with some of the most beautiful and historically significant Alfa Romeos ever built. One car, the burgundy Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS Touring Superleggera Coupe, has a unique history. It was built in 1939 and had been driven only once since 1973 before the day before the Concours d’Elegance. This car is a testament to the enduring legacy of Alfa Romeo and the passion of its owners.
The judges must also consider the “wow” factor of a car. The 1940 Cadillac Series 62 Bonham & Schwartz Convertible Victoria, for example, is one of only two ever built. It was custom-bodied in Pasadena, California, by the same company that built Clark Gable’s Duesenberg. This car is a masterpiece of automotive design, and it is a testament to the creativity and innovation of automotive engineers.
In the end, the decision comes down to a few key factors. The judges must consider the car’s rarity, its beauty, and its overall condition. The judges must also think about the car’s history and the story behind it. It is not enough to just look at the car; the judges must also think about the car’s history and the story behind it.
The Cisitalia 202SC Pinin Farina Cabriolet ultimately won the Sporting Choice Award. It is a spectacular sports car that is both historically significant and aesthetically stunning. The car is a testament to the enduring legacy of Cisitalia and the passion of its owners. The museum of Modern Art in New York includes a Cisitalia 202 (coupe) in its permanent collection, making it one of the few cars to be so highly recognized.
The Audrain Motor Week in 2026: A Must-Attend Event
The Audrain Motor Week in 2026 is poised to be another spectacular event, with a lineup of activities that would make any car enthusiast’s heart skip a beat. The event will take place in Newport, Rhode Island, from October 1st to October 4th, 2026. The event will feature a variety of automotive events, including a concourse d’elegance, a road rally, a car auction, and a variety of other activities that will appeal to automotive enthusiasts of all levels of experience.
If you are an automotive enthusiast, then the Audrain Motor Week in 2026 is an event that you do not want to miss. It is a celebration of automotive excellence, and it is a testament to the passion and dedication of automotive enthusiasts.
Conclusion: The Audrain Motor Week – More Than Just a Car Show
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