1959 Maserati Named Best of Show at Audrain Newport Concours d’Elegance

Fascinating vehicles from around the world gathered at the sun-drenched lawn of The Breakers Mansion on Sunday for the prestigious 2024 Audrain Newport Concours d’Elegance, presented, by A. Lange & Söhne. 

The one-off 1959 Maserati 3500 GT Bertone Coupe owned by Jim Utaski took home the coveted Best of Show and overall win in the European Glamour class. The 1958 Devin SS SR2-6 roadster owned by Kevin Callahan captured the Concours’ People’s Choice award. 

This unique Maserati was bodied by Bertone and designed by Bertone’s Chief Stylist, Franco Scaglione, who most famously created the Alfa Romeo “B.A.T.” series cars. Bertone showed the car at the 1959 Turin Motor Show where was sold to a Swiss Maserati enthusiast. Scaglione had trained in the science of aerodynamics, and this is often seen in many of his signature styling features, including speed streaks on the front wheel arches, large rear greenhouse glass, a notable fender pleat and modest tailfins raising the rear lights. 

The 3500 GT models, with a Touring designed body, were very successful for Maserati, and were fitted with a Maserati 350S detuned 3.5-liter straight-6 with aluminum F-1 engine. 

In 2023, the car was shown at its first Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance exactly as it was shown at the 1959 Turin Motor Show, with four pieces of matching custom luggage in the rear instead of seats. It required a nine-year restoration and in-depth research of historical documents, period photos, and Maserati/Bertone company archives.

“Once again we left everyone who attended inspired and in awe of the timeless elegance and enduring legacy of these magnificent vehicles, both four-and two-wheeled,” said Audrain CEO Donald Osborne. “Our event not only celebrates the beauty and innovation of historic vehicles but also serves as a reminder of the rich heritage and cultural significance of the automotive industry, bridging the past with the present.  And our Best of Show winner wonderfully captures our theme of ‘History, Luxury & Sport in one vehicle.”

Seventy judges from four countries and 184 cars from across the USA and Europe were on-site at The Breakers mansion — the most famous of the ‘Newport Cottages’ and former home of the Vanderbilt family. Not only were the Vanderbilts prominent Newport socialites, but numbered among them Willie K. Vanderbilt, one of the greatest car enthusiasts of the early twentieth century. 

Class winners:

CLASS A1 — American 1920 to 1935 – 1933 Duesenberg SJ LaGrande Phaeton owned by Tom Maioli

CLASS A2 — American 1935 to 1945 – 1937 Graham Supercharged Reo Coupe owned by Thomas Tkacz

CLASS A3 — American 1945 to 1960 – 1953 Packard Henney Monte Carlo owned by Ralph Marano 

CLASS A4 — American 1960 to 1965 – 1961 Chrysler New Yorker Town & Country wagon owned by Jon Cote

CLASS A5 — American 1965 to 1970 – 1969 Plymouth Barracuda Sports Fastback owned by Joe Amenta

CLASS P — Packard 125th Anniversary – 1934 Packard 1107 Dual Cowl Sport Phaeton owned by Lonnie Fallin

CLASS E1 — European Pre-War – 1937 Delahaye 135 Chapron Coupe des Alps owned by Jill Shibles

CLASS E2 — European Past-War – 1956 Jaguar XK140 Drop Head Coupe owned by Robert and Melanie Seyler

CLASS E3 — European Grand Touring – 1976 Maserati Khamsin Bertone Coupe owned by Ernie Boch Jr.

CLASS E4 — European Glamour – 1959 Maserati 3500 GT Bertone Coupe owned by Jim Utaski

CLASS C — Contemporary Coachwork – 1929 Duesenberg Model J Newport Custom Roadster owned by David and Dan North

CLASS F — Ferrari – 1951 Ferrari 212 Export Vignale Coupe (0080E) owned by Brian and Kim Ross

CLASS B — Affordable Classics – 1961 Volkswagen Beetle Sedan owned by Raymond Millette

CLASS R1 — Race Cars pre-1955 – 1951 Porsche 356 SL Gmund Le Mans Coupe owned by Cameron Healy

CLASS R2 — Race Cars post 1955 – 1973 Renault Alpine A110 Group 4 Berlinetta owned by Alain DeGraeve

CLASS S — 25 Years of Sportscars – 1965 Jaguar E-Type Fixed Head Coupe owned by Wicker Francis

CLASS V1 — Veteran 1900 to 1910 – 1907 Renault AI 35/45 HP Vanderbilt Racer owned by Owls Head Transportation Museum, Maine

CLASS V2 — Veteran 1910 to 1918 – 1911 Baker Model V Special Extension Coupe owned by Bill and Linda Lillie

CLASS M1 — Motorcycle — Road – 1938 Harley-Davidson EL “Knucklehead” owned by Cindy Mesmer

CLASS M2 — Motorcycle — Race – 1947 AJS E90 Race Bike owned by Robert Iannucci

CLASS Y1 — 30 Under 30 (1950s-1960s) – 1960 Cadillac Sedan DeVille owned by James Demayo

CLASS Y2 — 30 Under 30 (1970s-1980s) – 1985 Nissan 300ZX Hatchback owned by Christopher Falcone

CLASS Y3 — 30 Under 30 (1990s-2000s) – 1995 BMW M3 Coupe owned by Tyler Fairchild

Among the other special awards given were the Most Elegant award to Don Ghareeb for his 1932 Duesenberg Model J (J-490).  The Hagerty Youth Judges award went to the 1950 Alvis TB 14 owned by Natalie and Scott Bluestein. The Timeless Luxury award was presented to Sam and Emily Mann for their Delahaye 145. The Chairman’s Award this year went to the 1953 PBX H Modified owned by Santo Spadaro. The Design Award was presented to Sam and Emily Mann for their 1934 Cadillac V16 Custom Coachwork. The Sporting Choice prize was awarded to Dominic Testa for his 1960 Chevrolet Corvette. The Founder’s Award in 2024 went to Robert Torre for his 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB.

The next Audrain Newport Concours d’Elegance will be held on Sunday, Oct. 5 as a part of the 2025 Concours & Motor Week beginning on October 2nd.

Learn more here.

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Jim Pickering

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