From Newport to Pebble Beach: Car collector takes 88-year-old Bugatti on cross-country trip

NEWPORT, R.I. (WLNE) — Car collector Fritz Burkard is beginning the journey of a lifetime at the Audrain Museum in Newport.

“To take a 1937 Bugatti from Newport all the way across the country to Pebble Beach in California, that is not for the faint-hearted,” said Burkard.

Burkard is on his way to the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in California, widely considered the most prestigious car show in the world.

He’ll be showing off the 1937 Bugatti from his collection, and Audrain will be well-represented as well.

Sean O’Donnell and Antonio Melegari will be making the trip too, documenting the journey for Audrain and their own show.

Audrain will also be sending a mechanic with the group, in case anything goes wrong.

For Burkard, sharing his love of cars across America is an important part of this journey.

“I fell in love with cars when I was seven, maybe younger than seven,” said Burkard.

“You grow up with cars, and then you’ve got the bug for life.”

He also hopes those seeing his car on the trip will be inspired by seeing an 88-year-old car out on the road.

“If people just park their cars to show them and keep them in the garage they miss 70-80 percent of the fun,” said Burkard.

“They don’t know what that is. These are machines to be driven. They are pieces of art, but you don’t tack them on the wall.”

As he departed for Pebble Beach, Burkard said that his journey was about making connections from east coast to west coast, and from older car lovers to younger generations.

“It’s about having fun and enjoying, especially sharing this inspiration with young people,” said Burkard.