Ronni Molinari sees the gleaming white floors at Autostrada in Westport as awash with possibilities. “The white floor is the canvas,” said the architect, who owns the venue with her husband Gioel, “and the cars are the artwork.”
And not just any cars: Lifts along the back wall in the 10,000-square-foot space—once home to a Steinway piano showroom—allow 20 lovingly restored beauties to catch the spotlight for fans who drive from across Fairfield County to bask in their presence. Rare Porsches and Alfa Romeos provide a vibrant backdrop as guests stroll through the facility.
Opened in January 2022 as a storage space for vintage and classic cars, the showroom has evolved into a boutique automotive club and event venue for everything from cocktail parties to corporate events. With its signature floor, giant windows and chic interior spaces, it’s becoming a prime locale for car enthusiasts to host special morning team meetings, milestone family birthday parties, or nonprofit fundraisers for up to 120 guests.
Named for Italy’s iconic network of motorways, Autostrada reminds Gioel of happy weekend afternoons tinkering on his father’s classic car in their Italian hometown. It’s a bond he shares with those who hold memberships at Autostrada, at one of two levels: social or storage.
Social members are “automotive enthusiasts and passionate collectors” who have comprehensive access to the private facility and its amenities. A busy calendar of events includes informal gatherings like a Thursday evening aperitivo and morning coffees. Autostrada also offers an easy meeting place for members who then take off on day-long rally drives.
Storage members enjoy the same benefits as social members, as well as vehicle storage services with 24/7 access to Autostrada’s monitored, temperature-controlled, carbon monoxide-protected facility.
Not lucky enough to own your own primo ride? Not to worry.
The space is also available for rentals. Autostrada pairs with On the Marc, a popular catering and event firm that provides a host of food and drink menus to make any event memorable. Guests can mingle near the cars or relax in the chic lounge designed to evoke a high-end Milan cocktail bar or exclusive new hotel. With the vivid vintage autos providing both decor and an easy conversation starter, “all you do is just show up,” says Ronni, who has become a car fan herself. Her favorite is the Dallara convertible she and her husband keep at their Italian residence for adventures with friends.
Having a place to meet is key for true aficionados. It’s a far cry from the car shows to which many enthusiasts are accustomed, Gioel says.“People are tired of having to go out to a field at seven in the morning to go talk to like-minded people,” he says. “This is a nicer way to get together, right here in Westport.”
But Autostrada is not limited to only cars. Some might say the sky’s the limit when it comes to specialty event guests.
“Recently, we had an airplane in here, a Cirrus SR22. It came in as parts and they assembled it on site,” Gioel says. “It’s another form of motoring, right? Just not on the ground!”
To learn more or to book an event at Autostrada, call 646-389-2131.
“The white floor is the canvas,” said Ronni Molinari, who owns the venue with her husband Gioel, “and the cars are the artwork.”