Audrain Automobile Museum, Newport (RI), USA
until December 8, 2024
With the exhibition “History, Luxury, Sport: Automobiles in Newport”, the Audrain Automobile Museum recalls how the passion for automobiles, especially sports and luxury cars, has been present in Newport and the surrounding area since the beginning of the 20th century.
Indeed, as early as 1901, William K. Vanderbilt II, also known as “Willie K”, launched Newport’s first automobile races at Aquidneck horse track. In 1904, this race became the famous Vanderbilt Cup, bringing together enthusiasts behind the wheel of cars imported from Europe, notably the French Panhard, Mors and Renault.
Interest in vintage and classic automobiles has once again become an important feature of Newport with the opening of the Audrain Automobile Museum. The Museum also organizes the annual Audrain Newport Concours and Motor Week each autumn.
The exhibition is an opportunity to revisit some of the former glories of early 20th century racing, such as the Panhard Type B1 of 1901 and the Renault AI 35/45HP “Vanderbilt” of 1907. This Renault represented the pinnacle of automotive performance at the time, and when Willie K wanted to buy one to send to the USA, Renault demanded a 10-model order. In the end, Willie K and his friends ordered 14 Renault 35/45HPs!
The exhibition also features several “Best of Show” and “Best in Class” entries from the Audrain Newport Concours, as well as automotive rarities such as a 1927 Isotta-Fraschini Tipo 8AS roadster, a 1947 Cisitalia 202 MM “Aerodynamica”, a 1953 Abarth coupé, a 1958 Lancia Aurelia B24S convertible, a 1961 Pontiac Ventura, a 1964 Lamborghini 350GT and a 1980 BMW M1.
The photos on this page belong to the Audrain Automobile Museum, no right of reproduction without the express permission of the museum.