If you ever needed another reason to visit Newport, Rhode Island, it would be to attend Audrain Newport Concours and Motor Week. Taking place at the International Tennis Hall of Fame, The Breakers and various other beautiful spots around Newport, the weeklong car show is a can’t miss. The theme ‘history, luxury & sport’ brings out some of the most rare cars in the world. Let’s take a look at this years top 5:
1937 Bugatti Type 57 Atalante Gangloff Roll-Back Coupe
-
- Ettore Bugatti’s personal car
- 1 of 33 built
- MSRP in 1957 was $10,000 USD which $220,000 when adjusted for inflation
This stunning Bugatti Type 57 Atalante is one of only 33 cars ever made, and was developed by Jean Bugatti (son of Ettore Bugatti) just before World War II. The Type 57 made its debut at the 1934 Paris Auto Show, featuring an inline 8-cylinder engine making just over 130 horsepower. The Type 57 was offered in four body styles, each hand-built by Jean Bugatti; Galibier, Ventoux, Stelvio and Atalante.
The Atalante was the most expensive variant, priced around $10,000 USD, which would be about $220,000 today when adjusted for inflation. While 33 Type 57 Atalantes were built, only 10 featured the roll-back top like the example showcased here. This Type 57 was used as Ettore Bugatti’s personal car around Paris for a number of years before being sold to its first official owner, Jules Bloch. Today average value is nears $10 million.
1932 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Monza Spider Corsa
-
- Raced at the inaugural Bridgehampton Road Race on Long Island
- Supposed Monaco Gran Prix winning car
This Alfa Romeo 8c 2300 has quite the storied racing pedigree. Delivered to famous racing driver Tim Birkin in April of 1933, it’s believed that this Alfa Romeo was driven to victory by Tazio Nuvolari at the 1933 Monaco Grand Prix. The car also raced the Grand Prix de Frontieres at Chimay, and in the French GP at Montlhéry.
The car was later sold to an American, who shipped the car to the United States following the Second World War. The Alfa went on to race at the inaugural Bridgehampton Road Race on Long Island in 1949 as well as the US Grand Prix Watkins Glen, where it eventually sustained damage and retired from the race. The car sat until 1978 and eventually went under a comprehensive restoration.
1952 Ferrari 212 Inter Ghia Coupe Speciale
-
- Once owned by the former President of Argentina, Juan Perón
- 1 of 34 Ferrari’s bodied by Ghia
You’ll be pressed to find a more unique Ferrari than this 1952 212 Inter Ghia. Besides being one of only 34 Ferrari’s to bodied by Carrozeria Ghia, the cars first owner was the President of Argentina, Juan Perón. While this Ferrari was on display at the Paris Auto Salon in 1952, President Perón spotted the car and made a deal directly with Enzo Ferrari to have the car shipped back home to Argentina. With the sale, the serial number was swapped by Ferrari from 0233 EU to 0191 EL to accommodate taxation and import laws. President Perón owned the Ferrari for 2 years before he was deposed and exiled to Spain after which the Ferrari was sold by the Argentine government.
The Ferrari resurfaced in the 1990s and was shipped to Europe where the new owner, German industrialist Uwe Ohlsen, went bankrupt trying to restore the car. The car then found it’s third owner, a private collector with one of the Ferrari collections in the world, and was displayed Pebble Beach in 2002. Remaining in that private collection until 2019, the Ferrari 212 was purchased by its current owners who fully restored the car back to its former glory. This 212 Inter Ghia has won awards at notable shows like Amelia Concourse and Pebble Beach.
1981 Lamborghini Countach LP400S Monaco GP Pace Car
-
- Custom made for the Mimran brothers when they purchased Lamborghini in 1980
- Pacecar at the 1981 and 1982 Monaco Gran Prix
- Inspired its own line of Hot Wheels cars
When Lamborghini was acquired by Jean Claude Mimran in 1981, he commissioned a special one-off Countach to be built for him and his brother. This is that Lamborghini Countach. The car is painted in Bianco (white) over Blue leather and features functional sirens, a Monaco GP Pace Car livery and other custom elements tailored exclusivey for Jean. Once the car was built, it was shipped to Monaco where it would be one of the official Pace Cars for the 1981 and 1982 Monaco Grand Prix.
After being hidden away for nearly three decades, the car was purchased by its current owner and recommissioned for road use. It has just over 3,000 miles and wears its original Bianco paint and Blue leather. Thanks to the police sirens, this Lamborghini Countach instantly became one of the most iconic Lamborghini’s ever made. In fact, this Countach even inspired its very own line of Hot Wheels cars.
1963 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Hard Top Roadster
-
- Never restored, completely original besides regular maintenance
- One of the last 300SL’s ever made
- Original luggage, books and took kit
- Remained in the same German town for over 6 decades
I’ve previously featured one of the very first production Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadsters here before, and this time I’m fortunate enough feature one of the very last examples ever built. Delivered locally to the Mercedes factory in May of 1963, this 300 SL had remained in the very same town until 2024 when it was purchased and shipped to the United States. Over six decades, this 300 SL has had only two previous owners, both of whom meticulously cared for the car.
This 300 SL Hard Top Roadster is a numbers matching, completely original car with its original hard top and soft top, fitted luggage and took kit. The car is cosmetically untouched retaining its original paint, factory color scheme and leather interior. It has never undergone restoration and is one last few remaining 300 SL’s to be in such original condition.
Check out MORE PHOTOS:
Ordinary to Exotic, It’s all About Cars
Love cars?
- Follow @Car_Zach on Instagram, Facebook and subscribe on YouTube
Looking for cars and coffee shirts and mugs?
- Shop the CarZach Shop HERE, or find us on Etsy at DesignsbyZMC