Some places are just made for classic car shows. Newport, Rhode Island, for example, where the inaugural William K. Vanderbilt, Jr. International Concours d'Elegance will be held on July 27-29. A couple of years ago, after attending a VW media preview in Boston, I took a few days to visit the Newport area, which I'd never seen. It's a delightful place of historic homes, spectacular mansions, a fascinating harbour and many enjoyable eating spots, though the highlight for me was a ride in a rum-running speedboat from the prohibition era.

The concours will be held at the Newport Mansions, a perfect setting for classic autos, and will honor "Willie K." (as William K. Vanderbilt, Jr. was known). Willie K drove his way to fame as the world land speed record holder in 1904, and in the same year launched AAA and its successors on one of the longest running auto championship series ever, with the creation of the original Vanderbilt Trophy. Appropriately, the organisers will confer the Vanderbilt Lifetime Achievement Award to Sir Stirling Moss and Dan Gurney at a "Legends of Racing" dinner at The Breakers.

Other events on the program include a tour of historic autos along the picturesque roadways; judging of cars from the Brass Era to 1970, with special emphasis on cars from between the World Wars, on the grounds of Chateau-sur-Mer; displays of legendary competition cars on the grounds of The Breakers, a ball at Marble House, William K. Vanderbilt's childhood summer home, and special appearances and autograph sessions by the legendary drivers. The grand mansions mentioned are all national historic landmarks.