Highlights of the 2026 Audrain Concours in Newport, Rhode Island Part 1
Chrysler's Chrysler wows the crowd in Newport!
Ever since the earliest part on the 20th Century in 1900 when William K. Vanderbilt Jr. brought auto racing to Newport, Rhode Island, Newport has been a place for the automobile and events surrounding it. The Newport Audrain Concours, organized by the Audrain Auto Museum, has only been around for only 7 years, but has quickly become one of the premier concours in the country. The organizers pride themselves on the diverse automobiles that attend. Where most concours would not include 1960's muscle cars or other 'oddball' cars, the Audrain event welcomes them openly. There is even a class called the '30 under 30' class which is a class designed for younger attendees under 30 years of age who built their show vehicles for less than $30,000 to share the field with Duesenbergs, Delahayes and the usual priceless concours cars. No one is left out at the Audrain Concours.
In this part 1 post, we'll see a quick overview of the Chrysler's Chrysler's class and some of the other cars in attendance.
In a later Part 2 post, you will not want to miss a look at the very special surprise guest and celebrities at the concours.
Greg O.
American: 1932-1940 Class A2
Our Class row
Originally thought by us to be a specially designated '100 years of the Chrysler Imperial' class, we quickly learned on arrival that not to be the case as there was no such class. Instead, we were part of the 1932-1940 American car class. A difficult class as many of the cars within the class are sometimes at very different ends of the automotive spectrum.
Here we see Howard describing the Chrysler finer points to the class judges.
More judging.
From the concours car guide.
Automotive historian Donald Osborne provided his thoughts concerning Chrysler's Chrysler. Video by David Baum.
Other cars in the Chrysler's class were this very rare 1935 Chrysler C-6 Airstream Convertible.
1932 Auburn 8-100 Custom Speedster
Note the Woodlite headlamps and steerable auxiliary single Woodlite lamp below.
The 1933 Auburn 12-165 Speedster took home first in clas class honors.
1934 LaSalle 350 4-Door Fleetwood Sedan
1939 Chrysler Imperial C-23 Pourtout Cabriolet
1938 Packard 1607 Convertible Coupe
Cars on the Field
Don Ghareeb's 1929 Weymann leather-bodied Model J Sports Sedan won his class again as he has done with the car since its debut at the 2025 Pebble Beach Concours. 2026 has been a very good year for this car as it has won just about every concours event it has entered in 2026.
A very interesting and exceedingly rare 1925 Rickenbacker 5-Passenger 2-Door Coupe
Rickenbacker was a Vintage Era automobile manufactured in Detroit, Michigan, from 1922 until 1927. The car is best known for pioneering production of four-wheel brakes.
The company was established by Barney Everitt and Captain Eddie Rickenbacker, with Rickenbacker serving as Vice President and Director of Sales. Everitt's former partners Walter Flanders and William Metzger were also involved. Rickenbacker used his World War I, 94th Aero Squadron emblem depicting a top hat inside a ring. The 'Hat in a Ring' emblems were located both on the front and the back of the cars.[1]
The Rickenbacker was designed by engineers Harry L. Cunningham and E.R. Evans. It had a 3,482cc side-valve six-cylinder engine developing 58-hp, which ran very smoothly due to two flywheels, one at each end of the crankshaft. The first Rickenbackers were displayed at the January 1922 New York Automobile Show. One of the display cars featured experimental four-wheel brakes.[2]
The company made sporting coupés, touring cars, sedans, and roadsters. Four-wheel inside brakes were introduced in 1923. Prices in 1923 ranged from $1,485 for a phaeton to $1,985 (equivalent to $37,510 in 2025) for a sedan.
Rickenbacker profile
Alex and Manny Dragone brought out a completely original 1921 Brewster 91 Double Enclosed Drive. Another extremely rare car seldom seen, especially in an unrestored, original condition.
Muscle Cars were well represented with not one, but 3 Superbirds.
Rare Muscle. A 1969 Camaro RS/SS Indy Pace Car convertible with the Z11 option package and the 396 V8. Only a handful built.
Filed under the 'you don't see this everyday' category was this 1930's Bentley 'Woodie' wagon.
Hyper and Supercars were also represented. Here the Czinger company brought out 2 examples. The California company doesn't build these normally as every single part of the car is 3D printed.
A wide view of some of the field. The show was held inside the historic Fort Adams and the field was completely surrounded by the fort walls.
A Lotus Europa among some MGs.
Antiques abound!
A FIAT next to a very large Stanley Steamer.
More antiques from Cadillac, Locomobile, Oakley and more attending.
A concours is not complete without a James Bond Aston Martin DB-5 from the film 'Goldfinger'. This movie car was personally driven by Jay Leno in the Tour d'Elegance the day before.
Of course there were motorcycles as well, here, in the form of a 1903 Harley Davidson.
Pagaso is a little known, and now defunct manufacturer of cars and trucks from Spain. The show had an astonishing 8 in attendance.
A Ferrari Dino is always a welcome sight.
Another rarity. A 1935 MG Midget with a supercharger and side draft carb hanging off the front end like an old Bentley.
Best In Show
Best in show went to the 1938 Delahaye 165 Figoni et Falasch Cabriolet. A stunning example originally created for the Paris Auto Show of that year.
The Teaser
Why was this 1967 Corvette convertible way off to the side on its own? Its more special than its looks.
Find out who the owner is in the follow-up post! It's a good one!
Comments
Great coverage of the 2926 Audrain Concours show in RI.
I know who owns that 67 Corvette, # 46, did you get to meet him at the Show and get a picture?
What a great show and terrific coverage! Love the video. All I can further say is… Howard for President!
Great photos and article. Looking forward to part 2. I’m sure I know who that Vette belongs to but I won’t spoil the surprise.
Comprehensive coverage, Howard. And you were handing out my profile of you. Read more coverage of this event here, https://www.autoweek.com/car-life/a74053179/newport-audrain-concours-the-east-coast-pebble-beach/
Looks like Joe Biden’s Corvette, purchased new by him in ‘67!
Awesome coverage I wish I could have been there JeRita