Audrain Launches “Color, the Cars of Summer” Exhibit

The Audrain Automobile Museum’s 34th exhibit, “Color, the Cars of Summer,” pays tribute to the vibrant spirit of Newport summers, beaches, cruising Ocean Drive and reliving those nostalgic memories and the vehicles that made them memorable.

The exhibit runs from June 15 through September 8, 2024.

“Color, the Cars of Summer” features a diverse range of automobiles, including classic convertibles that evoke a sense of freedom and adventure, iconic woody wagons that were once a common sight at the beach, vibrant samba buses that transport visitors back to the heyday of surfing culture, charming microcars that were popular during the 1950s and 1960s, and sleek scooters that provided a stylish and efficient mode of transportation.

A few of the sweet rides of summer are a 1963 Volkswagen Transporter, a topless red 2001 Ferrari 550 Barchetta V12 and the modern day ultimate off-road supercar, the 2024 Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato.

(19) Automobiles:

1930 Packard Eight Sport Phaeton
1940 Chevy Custom Topless Roadster
1951 Fiat 500C Topolino Giardinera
1951 Crosley Super Sports
1956 Ferrari Bimbo Racer – Electric Child’s Car
1956 Pontiac Star Chief Convertible
1959 Fiat 600 Jolly
1963 Volkswagen Type II Double Car Transporter
1968 Triumph TR5 PI Roadster
1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Cobra Jet
1969 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL Roadster
1974 Porsche 911 Targa
1985 Jeep CJ7
2001 Ferrari 550 Barchetta
2023 Porsche 911 GT3 “Audrain Green” Paint to Sample
2019 Bugatti Chiron Sport Sky View
2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170
2024 Porsche 911 GT3 RS
2024 Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato

(1) Motorcycles:

1955 Schwinn Whizzer Model WZ-1955 motorbike

“With ‘Color, the Cars of Summer,’ our goal is to transport our visitors to a time when Newport embodied the essence of summer fun,” said David de Muzio, Audrain’s Executive Director and Chief Curator. “We want to give people the chance to relive those magical moments and experience the joy that these amazing vehicles brought to people’s lives.”

“This exhibit is sure to evoke a sense of nostalgia, delight and wonder, as it showcases remarkable vehicles that conjure memories associated with Newport summers,” said Audrain CEO Donald Osborne. “The vehicles we have chosen not only celebrate beauty and style but also honor the connection between automobiles and the culture of Newport. The exhibit delves into the rich history of Newport summers and the role that cars played in shaping the local lifestyle.”

Learn more here.