Let’s talk brass tacks for a minute. There aren’t a lot of pre-war Audi or Auto Union offerings in the United States. Yes they exist, but they’re rare. As a brand, Audi as a brand went fairly inactive until the 1980s when the quattro put them back on the map and pushed the four rings into the premium luxury segment. I say this because it’s worth remembering when you consider the compatibility of your Audi automobile as it pertains to qualifying for classes in traditional classic car events like the Greenwich Concours coming up at the end of May.
What’s the Greenwich Concours?
Founded in 1996, the Greenwich Concours d’Elegance is a three-day event that holds different classes of competition and different activities over that spread. There’s a Grand Tour on Friday, a Concours de Sport on Saturday and a Concours d’Elegance on Sunday.
Well-known classic car insurer and staunch advocate of the classic car hobby Hagerty acquired the Greenwich Concours several years ago, elevating its game from regional classic car show to fixture in the national and international luxury contours scene.
As locations go, Greenwich, Connecticut makes for an interesting backdrop. The town itself is a great mixture of New England coastal quintessence mixed with New York City wealth. Its proximity to Manhattan assures the town is well off, yet its idyllic waterfront property such as the park where the concours is held assure it’s incredibly picturesque.
What to Know about Audi at the Greenwich Concours
While Audi of America has occasionally displayed at Greenwich over the years as they did in 2007 with the R10 TDI in celebration of the TT Mk2’s market arrival, it hasn’t done so recently and its reemergence there isn’t something worth banking on given the brand also doesn’t attend Amelia Island and was largely absent during last year’s Monterey Car Week. Even still, that’s not to suggest Audi owners don’t turn out and represent the brand. That’s definitely the case, so it’s worth digging into their competitive concours class structure in order to consider where an Audi might fit.
Worth noting, there’s a list of classes that is being worked with here, which means an interpretation based on the brief description. If you’re curious about entering your car or wondering about ultimate eligibility, check in with event organizers. Ultimately they’ll have the say as this is a curated concours and not a take-all-comers car show.
Disclaimer aside. These are the classes that appear to be compatible.
SATURDAY CONCOURS D’SPORT
Mid-Engine Revolution – Depending on age restrictions, the Audi R8 may fit into this one.
Resto Mods – It’s unclear whether this is resto mods from known brand reimagineers or whether any rest mod will work. If the latter, a reso-modded vintage Audi may be eligible. For instance, an upgraded ur quattro or that RS2 recently upgraded by New York’s AI design would interesting candidates.
Race Cars of New England – I’ve reached out to the current owner of John Buffum’s former quattro rally car. I’d imagine any current or former Buffum quattros would qualify here, but it’s unclear whether any will show up.
Porsche Powered – Does an Audi RS2 qualify? It’s an Audi 5-cylinder after all, but Porsche tuned and that manifold literally has Powered by Porsche stamped into it.
Neo Classics – This sounds rather broad and lacks any further description, but that could make it wide open for interpretation.
Orphan Cars of the 50s and 60s – Likely owners of 50s or 60s era Auto Union, DKW and NSU models would fit into this category.
Trans Am Production – Here again, clarification would be helpful. This could mean production cars on which Trans Am competition cars were based, or it could mean a flock of Pontiac Firebirds. If it’s the former, the Audi 200 quattro should qualify since Audi contested the Trans Am series in 1988 with the 200.
Cars of Greenwich Avenue – More details would be helpful, but if these are Greenwich local cars then your Audi formerly purchased at Pray Audi (of Greenwich) may be eligibile.
SUNDAY CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE
Post War German Sports – Mercedes-Benz SL – It’s unclear whether this is an all Mercedes class or one simply with an SL focus. If it’s the former, then the next question is the age of the cut-off. It’s possible the quattro might qualify, an Auto Union 1000 SP or even an Audi TT depending on the newest possible entry.
Supercars – Does the Audi R8 qualify? What’s the age cut-off?
Pre-War European Classics – This is rare air, but figure any pre-war Audi or Auto Union would qualify for this one.
Porsche Prototypes – I’d been tracking the last known Porsche 928 test mule with Audi 100 Coupé S bodywork on it. The trail goes gold when the owner who lived in Florida relocated up north. It’s never been seen since and may have been the car that burnt up in the Prototyp Hamburg museum fire a few years back. Even still, there’s part of me that hopes that car could come out of hiding at some point. If it did, it would qualify for this class. That’s one of one, and it’s doubtful any other Audi would save perhaps the preproduction RS2 in the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart.
Pininfarina – Like Porsche prototypes, the only car I know that qualifies is the Pininfarina Aztec coupe owned by Audi Tradition. That car’s in Germany, so that makes this class null.
That’s all a Bit Ambiguous. Should I Attend?
If you own a car that might qualify, reach out to event organizers and try to enter. Even to just attend though, the Greenwich Concours makes for a great weekend activity. Unless you’re so hardcore that Audi is your only interest, you’ll find something to enjoy and a nice day on the water in coastal Connecticut is hard to beat.
Ticket Information:
Readers can find more information and ticket pricing at https://www.greenwichconcours.com/.
About Greenwich Concours
Founded in 1996, Greenwich Concours d’Elegance is a three-day premier motoring event in Greenwich, Conn. Exclusive gatherings, luxury shopping, ride and drives, new vehicle experiences and automotive heritage elements complement Friday’s Grand Tour and Saturday’s Concours de Sport. Sunday’s nationally recognized Concours d’Elegance celebrates historically significant American and International vehicles along the town’s picturesque harbor front. Each year the event supports local charities as a part of Hagerty’s larger giving strategy. For more about the Greenwich Concours d’Elegance visit our website at GreenwichConcours.com.
About Hagerty, Inc. (NYSE: HGTY)
Hagerty is an automotive enthusiast brand committed to saving driving and to fueling car culture for future generations. The company is a leading provider of specialty vehicle insurance, expert car valuation data and insights, live and digital car auction services, immersive events and automotive entertainment custom made for the 67 million Americans who self-describe as car enthusiasts. Hagerty also operates in Canada and the U.K. and is home to Hagerty Drivers Club, a community of over 875,000 who can’t get enough of cars. For more information, please visit www.hagerty.com or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.