The one-of-a-kind 1959 Maserati 3500 GT Bertone Coupé, owned by Jim Utaski, claimed Best of Show at this year’s Audrain Concours d’Elegance. The fifth edition of the event was held at The Breakers Mansion in Newport, US on October 6, 2024. Utaski’s Maserati also took first place in the European Glamour class.
Capping off Audrain’s ever-expanding Motor Week, the triumphant Maserati claimed the Concours victory against 183 rival automobiles hailing from around the world. It was awarded the victory by a panel of 70 discerning judges from four different countries.
The stunning Best of Show winner was designed by renowned Italian designer Franco Scaglione
The stunning Best of Show winner was designed by renowned Italian designer Franco Scaglione, who also penned the famous Alfa Romeo 1900-based BAT series of concept cars in the 1950s. The glamorous machine made its public debut at the Turin Motor Show in 1959, before being acquired by a Swiss collector.
In 2023 the Maserati was finally showcased in public once again, appearing at the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance following the completion of a meticulous nine-year restoration that required extensive archival research. The completed car was displayed at Pebble Beach exactly how it appeared in Turin, complete with four custom-matched luggage pieces in place of rear seats.
While Utaski’s Maserati bagged Best of Show at the Audrain Concours, it was Don Ghareeb’s 1932 Duesenberg Model J that emerged the deserving winner of the Most Elegant award. This year’s Chairman’s Award, meanwhile, was presented to Santo Spadaro’s 1953 PBX H Modified, while the Founder’s Award and Hagerty Youth Judge prize were presented to a 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 and a 1950 Alvis TB 14 respectively.
“Once again we left everyone who attended inspired and in awe of the timeless elegance and enduring legacy of these magnificent vehicles,” enthused Audrain CEO Donald Osborne. “Our event not only celebrates the beauty and innovation of historic vehicles, but also serves as a reminder of the rich heritage and cultural significance of the automotive industry, bridging the past with the present.”
Class winners:
· Class A1: American 1920 to 1935 – 1933 Duesenberg SJ LaGrande Phaeton owned by Tom Maioli
· Class A2: American 1935 to 1945 – 1937 Graham Supercharged Reo Coupe owned by Thomas Tkacz
· Class A3: American 1945 to 1960 – 1953 Packard Henney Monte Carlo owned by Ralph Marano
· Class A4: American 1960 to 1965 – 1961 Chrysler New Yorker Town & Country wagon owned by Jon Cote
· Class A5: American 1965 to 1970 – 1969 Plymouth Barracuda Sports Fastback owned by Joe Amenta
· Class P: Packard 125th Anniversary – 1934 Packard 1107 Dual Cowl Sport Phaeton owned by Lonnie Fallin
· Class E1: European Pre-War – 1937 Delahaye 135 Chapron Coupe des Alps owned by Jill Shibles
· Class E2: European Past-War – 1956 Jaguar XK140 Drop-Head Coupé owned by Robert and Melanie Seyler
· Class E3: European Grand Touring – 1976 Maserati Khamsin Bertone Coupé owned by Ernie Boch Jr
· Class E4: European Glamour – 1959 Maserati 3500 GT Bertone Coupé owned by Jim Utaski
· Class C: Contemporary Coachwork – 1929 Duesenberg Model J Newport Custom Roadster owned by David and Dan North
· Class F: Ferrari – 1951 Ferrari 212 Export Vignale Coupé (0080E) owned by Brian Ross and Kim Ross
· Class B: Affordable Classics – 1961 Volkswagen Beetle owned by Raymond Millette
· Class R1: Race Cars pre-1955 – 1951 Porsche 356 SL Gmund Le Mans Coupé owned by Cameron Healy
· Class R2: Race Cars post 1955 – 1973 Renault Alpine A110 Group 4 Berlinetta owned by Alain DeGraeve
· Class S: 25 Years of Sportscars – 1965 Jaguar E-type Fixed-Head Coupé owned by Wicker Francis
· Class V1: Veteran 1900 to 1910 – 1907 Renault AI 35/45 HP Vanderbilt Racer owned by Owls Head Transportation Museum, Maine
· Class V2: Veteran 1910 to 1918 – 1911 Baker Model V Special Extension Coupe owned by Bill and Linda Lillie
· Class M1: Motorcycle – Road – 1938 Harley-Davidson EL ‘Knucklehead’ owned by Cindy Mesmer
· Class M2: Motorcycle – Race – 1947 AJS E90 Race Bike owned by Robert Iannucci
· Class Y1: 30 Under 30 (1950s-1960s) – 1960 Cadillac Sedan DeVille owned by James Demayo
· Class Y2: 30 Under 30 (1970s-1980s) – 1985 Nissan 300ZX Hatchback owned by Christopher Falcone
· Class Y3: 30 Under 30 (1990s-2000s) – 1995 BMW M3 Coupé owned by Tyler Fairchild
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