At the 74th Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on Sunday, the Audrain Collection of Newport took first, second, and third place in different classifications, demonstrating the museum’s dedication to automobile preservation on one of the most prominent platforms in the world.
In the Rolls-Royce Phantom Centennial class, the collection’s 1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Brewster Ascot Phaeton won first place, while in the 75th Anniversary of Formula 1: 1974-Present class, a 1988 McLaren MP4/4 Formula 1 car placed second. In the Postwar Preservation Early class, a 1955 Porsche 356 1600 Super Reutter Speedster finished third, capping off the victories.
There are just 21 cars made using the Brewster Phaeton body type, including the Rolls-Royce manufactured in Springfield. Its unique features include twin cowl arrangement, polished metal beltlines, and roll-up windows, which were modified by Murphy Coachworks of Pasadena, California, making it the only known Ascot with this feature.
Lester Braunstein of Beverly Hills, California, eventually acquired the vehicle after it was first delivered to G.M. Church in Pasadena in October 1929.
The Audrain Collection places special emphasis on the McLaren MP4/4, which is considered to be one of Formula 1’s most dominant vehicles. Alain Prost drove Chassis 4 throughout the 1988 season, winning races in Paul Ricard, Monaco, and Mexico City in addition to placing on other podiums.
The Porsche Speedster, which Audrain purchased in 2020 from Dr. Nicholas Begovich’s collection, has only 10,684 miles on it and is still entirely original. When Begovich bought the car brand-new, it included a rare hardtop that had never been installed.
“It is a moment of pride and celebration for all of us who have been involved in their preservation as these amazing and truly historic automobiles take their place of prominence on the global stage,” said Nic Waller, president of Audrain Group.
The Audrain Automobile Museum, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization devoted to conserving, honoring, and disseminating automotive history, is situated at 222 Bellevue Avenue. Over 30,000 people visit the museum each year, and it creates four carefully chosen displays.
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