The top-winning Delage D8-120 Roadster was built by the coachbuilding firm of De Villars of Courbevoie, France. It is a flamboyant design that reflects both the industrialization of Europe and the Art Deco era. The De Villars Company became well known for the extraordinary quality of its designs as well as the execution of the final product.
The D8-120 was introduced in Paris in October of 1938, and it quickly became “the queen of international Concours d’Elegance.” The current owner Fritz Burkard bought the Delage in 2019, and it has recently been shown at concours on both sides of the Atlantic.
With 65 prominent judges from five countries and 180 cars from across the USA and Europe, the Concours was held at The Breakers mansion, the most famous of the ‘Newport Cottages’ and former home of the Vanderbilt family. Not only were the Vanderbilt’s prominent Newport socialites but numbered among them Willie K. Vanderbilt, one of the greatest car enthusiasts of the early twentieth century.
“People’s Choice” award – The 1973 Buick Gran Sport Stage 1 Colonnade Sun Coup owned by Philip and Grace Roitman
Class winners:
30 Under 30 Pre-1965 – 1963 Triumph Herald 1200 Convertible owned by Denton Owen
30 Under 30 1960s and 1970s – 1967 Volkswagen Kombi Bus Station Wagon owned by Adam Carceller
30 Under 30 1980s and 1990s – 1983 Porsche 944 Coupe owned by Austin Spooner30 Under 30 1980s and 1990s
Special Award – 1998 Suzuki X-90 Coupe owned by Henry Drayton
American 1928 to 1933 – 1929 Rolls Royce Phantom–Brewster Derby Speedster owned by Stephen Brauer
American 1934 to 1940 – 1934 Cadillac Stationary Coupe owned by Don Ghareeb
American 1940 to 1955 – 1954 Packard Caribbean Convertible by The Sweezey Collection by Parker’s Packards
American 1955 to 1975 – 1966 Chevrolet Fitch Sprint Corvair owned by Bryan Lamotte
British Icons – 1935 Riley MPH–Sprite Roadster owned by The Frank Rubino Collection
Chrysler’s Forward Look – 1956 Chrysler New Yorker Convertible Coupe owned by John R. and Lynne K. Cote
Curvaceous & Streamlined – 1938 Delage D8-120 “De Villars” Roadster owned by Fritz Burkard
European 1920 — 1940 – 1927 Mercedes-Benz Model K Open Roadster owned by Michael and Joannie Rich
European 1945 — 1960 – 1953 Delahaye 135 MS CL Speciale Faget-Varnet owned by Anthony Colle
European 1960 — 1980 – 1961 Maserati 3500 GT Coupe owned by John Johnson
Racing Sports Cars – 1953 Ferrari 250 MM Berlinetta 0258MM owned by Brian Ross
Little Gems — 1946 Fiat 1100 Frua Spider owned by Don Bernstein and Pat Taylor
MG 1930s – 1932 MG F1 Magna Stiles Special Threesome owned by Matt Emmens
MG 1945 — 1965 – 1954 MG TF Roadster owned by Lisa and German Garcia
Post War Sports– 1963 Shelby American Cobra Mk I Roadster owned by Lewis B. Pollard
Style & Speed – 1965 Lamborghini 350 GT Coupe owned by Doug Cohen
Veteran – 1912 Simplex 50HP Torpedo Tourer owned by Singleton Collection
Touring Motorcycles – 1938 Harley-Davidson owned by Cindy Mesmer
Competition Motorcycles – 1955 Fratelli Ferrari 150cc Cafe Racer owned by Chris Mauro
Among the other special awards given were the Simeone Trophy for Historic Presence that went to Bruce McCaw for his 1952 Mercedes-Benz W194 300 SL the overall winner of that year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The Colin Foote Family Project Award presented to John Holzscheiter for his 1972 BMW E9 3.5 CS.
The ‘Most Elegant’ award went to Tom McGough for his 1937 Delahaye 135 M. The ‘Hagerty Youth Judges’ award went to the 1903 Grout Model J owned by Bill and Sarah Cook.
The ‘Timeless Luxury’ award was presented to Helen and Jack Nethercutt by Wilhelm Schmid, CEO of Presenting Sponsor A. Lange & Söhne for their 1933 Duesenberg SJ, “The Twenty Grand.”
The ‘Chairmans Choice Award’ this year went to the 1953 Nardi 750 Roadster owned by Edward Gregory.
The ‘Design Award’ was presented to Mark F. O’Neil for his 1953 Fiat 8V Supersonic.
The ‘Sporting Choice’ prize was awarded to Lawrence Auriana for his 1947 Cisitalia 202 MM Aerodynamica.
The ‘Founder’s Award’ in 2023 went to Merle and Peter Mullin for their 1937 Delahaye 135.
The next Audrain’s Newport Concours d’Elegance will be held on Sunday, October 6th as a part of the 2024 Concours & Motor Week beginning on October 3rd.
Photos by George Bekris
