Monaco may be the second-smallest country in the world, but its modest size belies its status as the most mythical and exclusive locale in motoring. The Audrain Auto Museum in Newport, US honours this jewel of the Mediterranean coast with its 35th exhibition, Magic of Monaco, running until March 16, 2025.
The showcase includes an eclectic selection of 16 cars associated with the gilded roads of the principality, alongside a significant selection of race posters and automobilia meticulously gathered over many decades by Historic racing driver, collector and former team manager and event organiser Murray Smith.
“Magic of Monaco is probably the best exhibit the museum has ever put on,” Audrain president Nic Waller beams over a video call. “The concept behind it started about a year ago, when we met with Murray. We came up with an idea of putting on an exhibit purely about cars from Monaco – not just the Formula 1 race but also Formula Junior, the concours and all the motoring events that have happened there.”
The diversity of Monaco’s motoring history is fascinating, and it’s been wonderful to see people engage not just with the cars, but with the stories behind them
This vision has resulted in an eclectic selection of cars that span nearly a century of Monaco’s history. The display includes pre-war pioneers such as the 1927 Bugatti Type 37A and 1933 Alfa Romeo 2600 Monza, alongside turbocharged icons from the 1980s, such as the 1985 Lancia Delta S4 and the 1988 McLaren-Honda MP4/4.
“I think the variety of cars is what makes this exhibit so exciting – the diversity of Monaco’s motoring history is fascinating, and it’s been wonderful to see people engage not just with the cars, but with the stories behind them,” says Nic. “It’s not just about putting on a great exhibition; it’s about sharing the magic of Monaco with people who might never get to experience it in person.”
While the 1927 Bugatti Type 37A is the oldest car on display, it’s the Audrain Collection’s exquisite 1936 Bugatti Type 57 Two-Light Ventoux that truly embodies Monaco’s century-long connection with motoring. This remarkable example is one of several Bugattis to have claimed Best of Show at the prestigious Concours d’Elegance Automobile Monte Carlo, an event that debuted in 1921 – eight years before the inaugural Monaco Grand Prix.
“The attraction of Monaco began with the concours d’elegance before other events, ranging from the boat races and dog shows to the Grand Prix. They all evolved to entertain the residents – the diversity of Monaco’s motoring history is fascinating.”
Two 1930s Alfa Romeos with extraordinary motor sport provenance, continue to tell Monaco’s story during the pre-war period. The oldest of the two, a 1933 Alfa Romeo 2600 Monza, claimed victory at the 1934 Monaco Grand Prix with Frenchman Guillaume ‘Guy’ Moll. The car continues to build upon its storied racing provenance thanks to its current custodian, Peter Greenfield, who continues to campaign the car in Historic motor sport events.
The other Alfa – also owned by Greenfield – is a 1935 8C-35 Tipo C that was driven in period by legendary Italian driver Tazio Nuvolari. On Monaco’s narrow, serpentine streets, Nuvolari showcased his exceptional skill by qualifying on the front row for the 1936 Monaco Grand Prix. Although the superior performance of the Mercedes and Auto Union entries ultimately overshadowed his efforts during the race, Nuvolari’s masterful driving secured a commendable fourth-place finish.
A fabulous selection of open-wheel racers and a duo of elegant coupés – a 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing and a 1954 Lancia Aurelia B20 GT Series IV – bring the exhibition into the post-war era. One of the headline cars is the Auriana Collection’s 1956 Maserati 250F that was driven to victory at the European Grand Prix in 1956 by Stirling Moss, who also won that year’s Monaco race in another 250F.
Complementing the legendary 250F is another F1 car, a 1959 Cooper-Climax T51, that was one of three cars commissioned by the Yeoman Credit Racing team run by Ken Gregory and Stirling’s father, Alfred. Briton Tony Brooks used the Cooper to claim a venerable fourth place at the 1960 Monaco Grand Prix.
The exhibition also sheds light on Monaco’s lesser-known motor sport history from this period, with the inclusion of three Formula Junior cars: a 1960 Lotus 18, a 1960 OSCA Tipo-J 1100 and a 1959 Stanguellini, as well as a 1958 Behra-Porsche F2 car. Many of the greatest racing drivers of the post-war era such as Jim Clark, Stirling Moss and Jochen Rindt all started their storied careers in Formula Junior.
In contrast to modern times, many of these drivers also showcased their versatility by competing across multiple disciplines, including rallying. The extra-curricular exploits of Clark and Moss are reflected in the inclusion of a 1965 Lotus Cortina Mk1 that was driven to fourth place in the 1966 Monte Carlo Rally.
The car most likely to thrill rallying enthusiasts is the iconic Martini-liveried 1985 Lancia Delta S4 Corsa. A product of Group B’s halcyon days, this particular S4 served as a back-up car for Henri Toivonen and co-driver Sergio Cresto during the season-opening 1986 Monte Carlo Rally. While the pair clinched victory in a different S4 at that event, their promising careers were tragically cut short later that season in a fatal accident at the Tour de Corse.
Another legendary turbocharged machine from the 1980s is the Audrain Collection’s 1988 McLaren MP4/4. The Championship-winning MP4/4 was the most successful Formula 1 car in history until 2023, winning 15 of 16 races and leading 97.3 percent of the laps across the 1988 season. The chassis showcased in the exhibit was driven by four-time World Champion Alain Prost, who drove it to the win in Monaco.
Those living on the European side of the Atlantic may well get to see the McLaren in action: “We’re working with the Duke of Richmond to bring the MP4/4 to the next Goodwood Members’ Meeting,” Nic teases. “After that, it’s likely going to Pebble Beach.”
The other modern F1 car owned by the Audrain Collection is a 1997 Ferrari F310B. The F310B is chassis 179, and it was the eighth of nine cars built for the season. This particular car never raced at Monaco, but it was driven by Michael Schumacher at Spa-Francorchamps and by Eddie Irvine in the Italian and Austrian Grands Prix.
Murray Smith’s collection of rare Monaco race posters and automobilia complements the cars on display, and it truly brings the exhibition to life. “What makes Monaco special is that it’s a place of contradictions: brutal competition on one hand but elegance and glamour on the other,” Murray explains. “It’s a place where history is written on every lap.”
As a seasoned Historic racer, Murray is no stranger to Monaco, and he has visited the principality and raced there on countless occasions. “I used to go to Monaco a lot, and I was involved in the first Historic Grand Prix. I really like Monaco, so I started collecting the posters early on – and it’s a good thing I did, because they’re bloody expensive now.”
Some of Murray’s posters are almost 100 years old, and his collection includes original race posters from both the Monaco Grand Prix and Monte Carlo Rally. “They’re difficult to find,” Murray continues. “I’ve got all but one of the pre-war Monaco Grand Prix posters, and I’ve also got posters from the Monte Carlo Rally and the concours – and I helped to find the cars, of course.”
The Audrain Auto Museum’s Magic of Monaco exhibition runs through to March 16, after being extended by popular demand. For tickets and more information, click here.
