A Rhode Island Classic Car Concours Is the First to Take Young Enthusiasts Seriously
For decades, Monterey Car Week in Pebble Beach, California has been the nexus of the vintage car universe. It's where you go if you want to see the rarest, most valuable cars on earth, with an emphasis on pre-WWII machines.
But as the cars of Pebble Beach get older and rise astronomically in value, the event has seemed to become less and less accessible to "regular" car enthusiasts—in other words, those who can't charter a private jet to the Concours. And for younger enthusiasts in particular, events like this can be downright impenetrable.
That's why we're especially excited to hear about a classic car weekend that aims to be the Monterey Car Week of the East Coast—one that specifically welcomes car owners under 30 years old to show off their under-$30,000 vehicles.
Audrain's Newport Concours is a four-day classic-car extravaganza hosted by Newport, Rhode Island's Audrain Automobile Museum. The inaugural event, set for October 3-6, 2019, features all the typical trappings of a high-dollar vintage car event, including VIP cocktail parties, gala dinners, celebrity chef demonstrations, and a Tour d'Elegance along the scenic roads of Newport. But the Concours d'Elegance on Sunday includes a special "30 Under 30" class among the 24 classes of vehicles to be judged—a first among Concours events. The organizers see this as a way to welcome younger car enthusiasts into the Concours world, in a way that's accessible and affordable to them.
We love this idea, especially because it's not just a side event—the 30 Under 30 class will be displayed and judged as part of the full Concours d'Elegance, alongside racing legends and big-dollar pre-WWII vintage machines. It's a fantastic way to cultivate a future generation of car enthusiasts and potential collectors.
The whole event seems like it will be a good mix of high-dollar traditional Concours events and accessible fun for everyone. Events will be hosted at the Breakers (a former Vanderbilt family mansion) and Rough Point (Doris Duke's Newport Estate), but there will also be a John Legend concert at the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Tickets range from $30 for a one-day pass to $2750 for a VIP all-inclusive four-day package. For more information, check out the Audrain's Newport Concours website, or go here to buy tickets.
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