One of the region’s premier car shows is moving inside the Perimeter.
The Atlanta Concours d'Elegance will host its 2019 event at the Tyler Perry Studios property in October.
The Concours, which will have on display hundreds of the world's most unique vintage automobiles, is making the move following three years at Chateau Elan in Braselton. The show will be held on the Fort McPherson parade field, which is part of the 330-acre complex the media mogul purchased in 2015.
Organizers say the move to the city aligns with the mission of the Atlanta Concours d'Elegance.
“It’s time to broaden our scope within a location conducive to a larger regional and more diverse audience – and the move to Tyler Perry Studios provides an absolutely unique, history-rich environment,” said Bill Wallet, CEO and co-founder of the show, which will be held on Oct. 19-20.
Between 5,000 and 6,000 people attended the event in Braselton this year, but organizers are hoping to grow attendance with the new location that will be more accessible to metro Atlanta residents.
“This location is about 30 minutes from millions of people,” Wallet said. “You can quickly drive here from the airport and the MARTA station is right here. This is a fantastic venue.”
Perry paid $30 million for the property at Fort McPherson in 2015 and built a state-of-the-art movie studio.
“We are excited to be hosting the Atlanta Concours d’Elegance and couldn’t think of a better location to showcase these works of art than on our historic parade grounds,” said Steve Mensch, president and general manager of studio operations for Tyler Perry Studios.
Another mission of the car show, Wallet said, is to increase the diversity of those attending and participating in upscale events like a Concours. He said he has partnered with the Metropolitan Chapters of 100 Black Men to help expose the event to communities that may have never heard of events like the ones held here as well as in Pebble Beach, Calif. or in Hilton Head, S.C.
“We want to open this show to as many people as possible,” he said. “Especially for people who have never seen the type of rare and unique cars this show attracts. They are really works of art.”
Wallet said the Concours will also host the first Caffeine and Octane Invitational. The Saturday event will feature up to 200 cars selected by the producers of the popular NBC Sports Network ‘Caffeine and Octane’ show to be displayed and filmed on the parade field.
Other highlights of the Concours include:
• Luxury automaker Bentley will be featured, celebrating the brand’s 100th anniversary, with displays of vintage and new vehicles.
• There will be collection of vehicles from, 1900-1919. The ‘Reunion of the Thomas’ will feature Brass Era cars, including the famous Thomas Flyer, which won the 1908 New York to Paris Race.
Tickets for the Atlanta Concours d'Elegance will go on sale in April of 2019 and will be available online at www.atlantaconcours.org.
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