Audrain Newport Concours d'Elegance 2024

This year I tried something I never thought could be possible. I entered my 1962 Morris Mini-Minor into a Concours d'Elegance event. I originally applied just as a what if. Wouldn't it be cool if I got accepted? Oh no... I actually did get accepted. Well, I guess it's time to do that interior overhaul that she's always deserved. It took months of blood, sweat and tears to prepare for this event.

It began with the ordering of all interior carpet, door and dash panels, and rear seat covers. The carpet was severely delayed and arrived just 5 days before Motor Week officially kicked off. Luckily, my good friends at Leyland Classic Restorations was able to get her done and delivered to me in time.

As an entrant, we were given special access to a Welcome Reception on the evening of Thursday October 3rd. Other participants, judges and VIPs were in attendance to celebrate the start of a great week. It was held at Faxon Lodge, a historical site in Newport Rhode Island. It is now privately owned. Thank you to the owners for graciously hosting us. Part of the lawn had Queen Elizabeth's collection of Land Rovers as well as some unveilings from previous years, and beautifully modified and restored Ford Broncos. While in attendance I was able to meet some other wonderful entrants and bump elbows with some celebrities like Jay Leno and Donald Osborne.

Friday was a more casual day for myself and my crew that I brought along. We had breakfast at a local joint and then waited for my car to arrive for the nightly activities. As the evening rolled around, Baby Lou got delivered. Myself, David, Jess and Ethan then all piled in her to head to a private Cadillac Event for the unveiling of their electric vehicle, Celestiq, at the Audrain Museum. Along with their new vehicle was a futuristic concept Cadillac as well.

We took an early leave from the Cadillac evening to head out to eat for some Sushi before the real fun kicked off on Saturday. Being who I am, I got emotional with my friends that evening, being so very grateful that they took time out of their lives to accompany me over this long weekend. I know the kind of stress it can have on a person and I cannot thank thank them enough. Little did I know just how grateful I would be to them.

Saturday morning came quickly and we all piled back into BabyLou to head to Fort Adams state park to stage for the Tour d'Elegance. It was wonderful to see the array of vehicles that would be in attendance at the Concours the next day. The tour started around the coast of Newport. We joked as we passed all the houses, quickly correcting ourselves and calling them 'estates.' Bystanders lined the road in parking lots, at the end of their driveways and in pull offs to wave and record as we drove by. It was so fun to be driving with hundreds of other participants.

The excitement however was short lived. About 8 miles into the 60 mile tour, BabyLou died out in front of White Lodge on Bellevue Ave. I thought perhaps it was the start and got traffic we got caught in, or maybe she was just overheated with four of us in the car, but it was not. We tried starting her back up, but she wouldn't come back. We waved on other tour participants before Audrain staff finally came around to help. We needed to get her off the road, so she was towed to the parking lot right next to the Audrain Museum. I was devastated. How could this happen? 7 years of ownership and it has never given me any mechanical issues. Some tears were shed. I was bummed, but calm. Ethan went into problem solving mode, and after speaking with my friend Ana at Classic Leyland Restorations, we determined it was the fuel pump that went bad. There was no gas getting to the carburetor. Ethan called NAPA who happened to have the part needed in stock and it would just be a couple hours before it was ready. He went off to gather parts and a few other things needed. David, Jess and I stayed behind to check out the Emory collection at the International Tennis Hall of Fame. In the meantime, we also asked Audrain staff if it would be possible to push my car out onto Bellevue Ave to join the rest as they came back from the tour. Staff and local police were so kind and allowed us to do so.

The 60 mile tour concludes on Bellevue Ave, which is closed down for the display and open to the public. Tour participants are treated to a lunch at La Forge restaurant. Restaurant staff was nice enough to give me a to go container so that I could take a meal back out on Bellevue to interact with spectators, but I was too excited to talk to people to stop and eat. I met several wonderful people who reminisced about family who owned a classic Mini, or when they owned one of their own. She brings joy to anyone who lays their eyes on her. Excited "BabyLou!" could be heard by many who walked by. The sour morning had turned sweet, and I was reminded again why I do what I do. The earlier tears had dried and were replaced with smiles and good conversation.

As the morning came to a close, Ethan returned with a bag of parts a scissor jack small enough to fit in the boot of BabyLou. After we watched the other tour participants drive off Bellevue Ave, Audrain volunteers helped us push heer back to the parking lot next door. A bit of stress returned. I had faith in Ethan's mechanical abilities, but just didn't want to get my hopes up to high. The volunteers joked that they would help push her to the field the next morning if need by. The true definition of community. David and I took off back to the Airbnb to allow Ethan the space to work, both physically and mentally. Breath, it'll be okay.

No sooner did we get back, and we got we message to our group chat. BabyLou was up and running. We both excitedly got ready to head back to the Museum. As we came around the parking lot, Ethan handed me the keys and she fired right up. I was overjoyed. The highest of highs replacing the lowest low that could've happened. We all hugged. What a victory, made even better being celebrated with friends. We decided it was time for some well deserved lunch as I finally started to get hungry. The crew all climbed into Louise once again and head down to Flo's Clam Shack along the coast. As we were heading back for the evening, one of the volunteers who helped pushed her back to the lot was walking down the road. They gave us a triumphant fist in the air seeing her running again as we drove by. Upon returning to the Airbnb, and a little too long of a cat nap, we did one final detailing before the main event in the next morning.

6AM came fast. We packed up to check out and then packed up BabyLou for the day ahead. The short 11 minutes drive to The Breakers Mansion was one of the longest drives of my life. This was it. The months of planning, transporting, reupholstering, and stressing all came down to this final day. David and I were greeted with triumphant clapping from those who knew of the struggles from the day before, happy to see BabyLou up and running.

The cold overnight caused some dewyness on her roof, so we wiped her down and did some last minute detailing before judging. Judging. I saw them approaching from the class next to us. It was coming close to go time. I only had a few moments to really get my story across to the judges and tell them why Louisa is important and should be recognized as such. As they were judging the vehicle next to me, my heart would not stop pounding in my chest. I am not one to be anxious like that about much. I get nervous and will dwell, and want things to go right, but this is different. Myself, along with my friends had put so much effort in getting her on that field. The judges approached, it was go time. I could talk for hours about my love of vehicles and the MINI Community that raised me into the car person I am today. I gave them as many nitty gritty facts about my little MK I that I could before moving on to the heart of what she represented for me. Once those first few minutes passed, I eased into it. This was great. One of the judges was particularly happy to speak about her, keenly interested in her heritage and where she came from. This little Canadian import was here to impress. After answering a few more questions, we exchanged some final pleasantries and they moved onto the next entrant in my class. I felt the air return to my lungs as I exhaled for what felt like to first time in years. The rest of the day was mine to socialize now.

The Breakers lawn began to fill as the flood gates were opened to the eagerly awaiting spectators. The day was filled with more great conversations. Staff, photographers, and other entrants all came over to chat about one of the smallest vehicles in the show. Perhaps the best part was getting to know the other entrant in my class. We were in the 30 Under 30 50s and 60s class. There were 7 of us total. But three of us got along the best. The two vehicles I was in between, a 1960 Cadillac Sedan Deville owned by James and a custom 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 owned by Eli. Throughout the day we conversed and got to know each other. We were all glad to be sharing our passions with other like minded and similarly aged individuals.

The sun moved across the sky and the day went by quickly. 1PM rolled around and we were expected to be back at our cars for awards. We saw trophies begin to be handed out to etrants around the field. It was time. I waited not so patiently by my car for news, either way. We were told by our category liaison that third place were being given their awards and 2nd and 1st would drive up to the podium to receive theirs. Eli was handed a 3rd place trophy. What1? Eli's custom Galaxie was a thing of beauty. It was pure hot rod perfection. Surely there was no way I placed if he received third. The judges then handed a bookmark sized slip to James in the Cadillac. That was definitely a no brainer to me. One left. One of the judges then motioned to me. Stunned, one of them handed me the same bookmark. "Congratulations, she said. I was in disbelief to say the least. I had won 2nd or 1st, time would tell. We all embraced. After the emotion and stress of having my fuel pump die and the months of preparation, it finally happened. BabyLou had won! We all congratulated each other. It was all of ours first time participating in a concours event, and we had won.

We waited for a few more hours and then they lined us up for staging. I was staged first, meaning I had earned 2nd place. Danny led us through the show field by the easiest path. We drove by other entrants and spectators. I will never forget the feeling of pride as I drove up across the podium area. Miss Rhode Island handed me the 2nd place trophy through my tiny passenger window.

And of course, I had to take a photo with my new friends.

There was nothing else to be done. We had done it. It was an incredible experience to be able to participate in such an event. BabyLou will forever be a piece of the Audrain Newport Concours d'Elegance history. I want to thank Ana and Liz over at classic Leyland Restorations for redoing the interior, detailing and delivering her to Newport. David, Jess and Ethan, you three are the greatest friends I ever could have asked for this year and it means the world to me that you shared this monumental moment in my life with me.

7 years in the making and here we are.

Until next time.

Motor on.

All Photos by David Lockart