1938 Delage D8-120 De Villars Roadster ‘Best of Show’ at Audrain Newport Concours & Motor Week

Historic vehicles from around the world once again gathered on the beautiful lawn of The Breakers Mansion for the 2023 Audrain Newport Concours & Motor Week. The 1938 Delage D8-120 De Villars Roadster owned by Mr. Fritz Burkard took home the coveted ‘Best of Show’ and the Curvaceous & Streamlined trophies. 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." The 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."

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.

Class winners:

– 1963 Triumph Herald 1200 Convertible owned by Denton Owen
– 1967 Volkswagen Kombi Bus Station Wagon owned by Adam Carceller
– 1983 Porsche 944 Coupe owned by Austin Spooner
1998 Suzuki X-90 Coupe owned by Henry Drayton
– 1929 Rolls Royce Phantom--Brewster Derby Speedster owned by Stephen Brauer
– 1934 Cadillac Stationary Coupe owned by Don Ghareeb
– 1954 Packard Caribbean Convertible by The Sweezey Collection by Parker's Packards
– 1966 Chevrolet Fitch Sprint Corvair owned by Bryan Lamotte
– 1935 Riley MPH--Sprite Roadster owned by The Frank Rubino Collection
– 1956 Chrysler New Yorker Convertible Coupe owned by John R. and Lynne K. Cote
– 1938 Delage D8-120 "De Villars" Roadster owned by Fritz Burkard
– 1927 Mercedes-Benz Model K Open Roadster owned by Michael and Joannie Rich
– 1953 Delahaye 135 MS CL Speciale Faget-Varnet owned by Anthony Colle
– 1961 Maserati 3500 GT Coupe owned by John Johnson
– 1953 Ferrari 250 MM Berlinetta 0258MM owned by Brian Ross
-- 1946 Fiat 1100 Frua Spider owned by Don Bernstein and Pat Taylor
– 1932 MG F1 Magna Stiles Special Threesome owned by Matt Emmens
– 1954 MG TF Roadster owned by Lisa and German Garcia
– 1963 Shelby American Cobra Mk I Roadster owned by Lewis B. Pollard
– 1965 Lamborghini 350 GT Coupe owned by Doug Cohen
– 1912 Simplex 50HP Torpedo Tourer owned by Singleton Collection
– 1938 Harley-Davidson owned by Cindy Mesmer
– 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.