A visit to the Newport Car Museum in Portsmouth, Rhode Island.

This summer, on our way back home we stopped by Groton, CT, to visit with some old friends of ours. They invited us to go to a car museum in Portsmouth, RI, which was a short drive from their house. This is a private collection of an interesting variety of cars that not only represent the three major brands of the United States, but also a substantial collection of Porsche cars, including air-cooled, water cooled, along with some racing only versions.

It was established in 2017 to share a private collection with the public. The venue shows these beautiful vehicles under perfect lighting and in immaculate condition. The owner also takes out some of the collection from time to time so that they are truly enjoyed for what they are – beautiful examples of automotive engineering.

This 2004 Honda Rune is the introduction to your journey through the display of the collection.

It was designed by American designers as well as being produced in America. Quite unusual for the Japanese company. This is a most impressive motorcycle, and I would encourage you to spend some time reading the information poster when you visit.

This 1989 Lamborghini Countach is a beautiful example of an Italian supercar that was born in 1971. This model was able to go from zero to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds and reached a top speed of 183 mph. Many a schoolboy of the day had a poster of the Countach hanging on his bedroom wall.

This Mercedes gullwing is iconic in its own right. While it may have been a challenge to enter and exit with its wide fuel tanks outboard of the driver and passenger, it did have a fold-away steering wheel to help the driver wriggle their way into their seat. While it is certainly absolutely beautiful from a visual design point, the gullwing doors did demand a garage with plenty of space.

Above is the 1993 Jaguar XJ220. Completed in 1992 this mid-engined two-seater coupe had a 542 hp, 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 allowing to come very close to its designated top speed of 220 mph.

If the brand of Jaguar has its identity wrapped up in a particular model it has to be the XKE. While I just love the lines of the coupe version, I do remember driving the convertible with the top down around Hyannis, MA. It had the acceleration of a Pontiac GTO and looks to die for. At the time all its performance came from a 3.8 liter inline six engine combined with an excellent independent front suspension. It handled, sounded marvelous, and looked like a super model.

I believe that Enzo Ferrari was so taken with the lines of the XKE that he was inspired to create the 1994 Ferrari 250 GTO. Powered by a 3-liter alloy V-12 engine it was obviously designed for racing.

The 1963 Corvette Sting Ray had the split window for that single model year. This was the second generation (C2) of the Corvette and was a dramatic change in so many ways from the first generation. It had rotating headlight nacelles and fully independent rear suspension. Its 327 cubic inch V-8 put out an advertised 300 hp.

The Age of Fins

It was the jet age and so America’s automotive designers took the cue.

Do you need a break?

Porsche

How About the “Pony” Cars?

I obviously have run out of words and am letting the cars speak for themselves. But they do speak very well on their own.

I hope that you have enjoyed this peek at the Newport Car Museum and are inspired to visit it yourself. It is closed on only three holidays a year so there is practically no excuse to not visit it and immerse yourself in this amazing collection or automotive art and engineering at its best.