1938 Delage D8-120 Takes Best of Show at Audrain Newport Concours & Motor Week

Historic vehicles from around the world once again gathered on the lawn of The Breakers Mansion on Sunday, October 1 for the 2023 Audrain Newport Concours & Motor Week. The magnificent 1938 Delage D8-120 De Villars Roadster owned by Mr. Fritz Burkard took home the coveted Best of Show award, as well as the Curvaceous & Streamlined trophy. The 1973 Buick Gran Sport Stage 1 Colonnade Sun Coupe owned by Philip and Grace Roitman captured the Concours’ prestigious People’s Choice award.

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.” Current owner Fritz Burkard bought the Delage in 2019, and it has recently been shown at concours on both sides of the Atlantic.

“It was a truly outstanding day that I am sure will be long remembered by many for its class winners and a truly amazing Best in Show winner, which was driven over 300 miles from Vermont to the show by its owner,” said Audrain CEO Donald Osborne. “I am sure everyone will come away with new memories that will not soon be forgotten. My hope is that everyone who attended this year will come away with a newfound love for our area, our city and the hospitality they received. We will continue to look for new ways to further enhance future Motor Weeks and continuing to strengthen our place in the global concours world as a must attend event.”

The Concours brought 65 prominent judges from five countries to the lawn at The Breakers, along with 180 cars from across the USA and Europe. The Breakers mansion is the most famous of the ‘Newport Cottages,’ and is a former home of the Vanderbilt family. The Vanderbilts were prominent Newport socialites, and Willie K. Vanderbilt was one of the greatest car enthusiasts of the early 20th century. 

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 Spooner
• 30 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 300SL — the overall winner of that year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans. 

The Colin Foote Family Project Award was 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 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, and the Founder’s Award went to Merle and Peter Mullin for their 1937 Delahaye 135.

The next Audrain Newport Concours d’Elegance will be held on Sunday, October 6th as a part of the 2024 Concours & Motor Week, which begins on October 3rd.

Sponsors making the 2023 Audrain Newport Concours & Motor Week possible were – Bellevue Asset Management, A. Lange & Söhne, Bank of America, Bonhams, Cadillac, Reliable Carriers, Aston Martin Boston, Bentley Boston, Lamborghini Boston, Rolls-Royc Motor Cars, Bizzarrini, Cunningham, Ford, Lucid, ebay Motors, Motorclub Flatrock, A1 Roofing and Construction, David Rovinsky, Parker Construction, Private Client Select, Sotheby’s Financial Services, USI, Newport Craft, Brewing & Distilling, BMW, BMW Car Club of America, McLaren Boston, Royal Enfield, Club Motorsports, Vantage Auto, Paddock Car Restorations, Audrain Motorsport, Audrain Park Place, Classic Auto Mall, American Collectors Insurance, Automotive Valuation Services, Paul Masse, Hagerty, B Riley Securities, California Car Cover Co., Jay Leno’s Garage, Carpionato Group, Cayman Islands, Cross, Fly Alliance, Blad and Bow, Gooseneck Vineyards, Horizon Beverage Group, Jackson Family Wines, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Touton, Wine Advise, Fitness 500 Club Newport, Onyx, Howard Johnson by Wyndham, Island Heron Yoga, Kroll, surv by Rent Sons, Tapsnap, Rover Trophy, Winston Art Group, Worth Avenue Yachts, Volato, Nobl Beverages, Island Time Catering Co., The Holistic Trick, Mill’s Tavern, Clara’s Cart, Great Aunt Louises, JavaJai Coffee Co., Linkage magazine, Newport Life magazine, Amano Pizza-Gelato, Cluck Truck, Hilltop Inn Newport and La Costa Lobster N Tacos.

Learn more here.

Photography by Ned J. and Kate Lawler, Shamrock Motoring Images, courtesy of the Audrain Newport Concours & Motor Week

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Jim Pickering

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