The Atlanta Concours d’Elegance blazes a new trail in 2019 as it relocates to Tyler Perry Studios in downtown Atlanta—growing its significant weekend of events to include the first annual Caffeine and Octane Invitational and highlighting Bentley as the featured marque in honor of the brand’s 100th anniversary. The 2019 show, set for October 19- 20, 2019, blends the historic atmosphere of a new location with the vibrant community of South Atlanta, all while showcasing vintage and modern-day vehicles from some of the rarest collections to be found nationwide. Enhanced support for the 2019 concours weekend from the Metropolitan Chapters of 100 Black Men bring an additional positive impact to the Atlanta community.
According to Bill Wallet, CEO of The Atlanta Concours d’Elegance, the move is consistent with the show’s masterplan for the Atlanta Concours to evolve into a unique Concours that is customized around the City of Atlanta. “The move to Tyler Perry Studios provides an absolutely unique, history-
rich environment that is conveniently located—while placing the entrant vehicles in a setting reflecting the time period during the earliest years of automotive production.”
Tyler Perry Studios, opportunely located between downtown Atlanta and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, offers three key assets to afford growth for the rising concours — ranging from providing local attendees accessible transportation and parking to offering up a much larger show field — all of which allow for the addition of more entrant vehicles, sponsors and vendors. Specific convenience includes:
- Local proximity – with a potential audience of 6.5 million Atlantans in the metropolitan area, the venue location within the I-285 perimeter affords timely access and minimal traffic
- Venue Accessibility – set alongside the MARTA rail station at the Lakewood/Ft McPherson station, coupled with a significant increase in parking space surrounding the venue, attendees have choices for an easier commute and overall transportation ease
- Increased Participation – due to a larger and visually pleasing facility, the show’s ability to host more vehicles, sponsors and exhibitors affords attendees an increased entertainment factor that blends the finest collections of rare and vintage vehicles and ride and drive opportunities with tech clinics and seminars highlighting vehicle heritage, innovations and restoration—presented by industry leaders—all within a unique environment for a Concours. A variety of food, artwork and automotive vendors will be highlighted.
Wallet noted that as the Tyler Perry Studios location builds upon the heritage aspect of the respected Concours and instills a true ‘personality’ for the show, several traditions will remain including the annual Magnificent Seven Competition, which debuted in 2017 and for 2019 will be the highlight of the first annual Caffeine and Octane Invitational. The Saturday, October 19th invitational 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 with only seven stand- outs to be chosen and shown again to the public in Sunday’s official Concours as they compete within their own unique ‘Magnificent Seven’ class. The program, the first of its kind, is an innovative way to bridge two distinct sections of the greater car world and helps foster interest across genres and generations.
“We’ve tapped a unique opportunity to grow involvement for car aficionados who may not be car collectors in the strict concours sense but are still enthusiasts who take deep pride in the vehicles they own,” said Wallet.
ADDITIONAL NOTES FOR 2019 ATLANTA CONCOURS
- Bentley will be the featured marque, celebrating the brand’s 100th anniversary, with displays from vintage years to modern day
- A ‘Reunion of the Thomas’s’ will feature a unique ‘Brass Era’ collection of vehicles from 1900-1919, including the famous ‘Thomas Flyer,’ which had won the 1908 New York to Paris Race – viewed as history’s first and only around-the-world automobile race
- 100 Black Men of America, regarded as one of the most influential group of leaders within the African-American community, will be lending its support to the Concours to extend outreach and opportunities within major metropolitan Atlanta-owned businesses as well as prominent corporations with global headquarters based in Atlanta.
Tickets for the Atlanta Concours d’Elegance will go on sale in April of 2019 and will be available online at www.atlantaconcours.org
ABOUT TYLER PERRY STUDIOS
Tyler Perry Studios is situated on 330 acres of historic land on the decommissioned Fort McPherson Army base originally built between 1885-1889. In 2015 Tyler Perry purchased a large portion of the base, which is now home to his movie studio—one of the largest in the country. Acutely aware of the history of the army base and the significance to the Atlanta community, Perry has kept the parade field intact, which is on the National Register of Historic places. The 11-acre Hedekin Parade Field is an authentic 19th century military parade field surrounded by same-era officer quarters and barracks all in a tree-lined, town square-like setting with majestic structures still in use. The military base has hosted notable dignitaries through the years, including General Patton, General MacArthur, President Franklin D. Roosevelt and General Colin Powell.
ABOUT CAFFEINE AND OCTANE
The Caffeine and Octane Car Show, entering its thirteenth year, is a nationally recognized all makes, all models car show that attracts more than 2000 vehicles and 15,000 fans monthly. The Caffeine and Octane TV Show, filmed live at the Caffeine and Octane Car Shows in Dunwoody, GA, has entered its third season of production and is viewed in 65 countries around the world on NBC Sports Entertainment.
ABOUT THE ATLANTA CONCOURS:
Founded by CEO and Co-Chairman Bill Wallet and Co-Chairman Harry Krix, the Atlanta Concours d’Elegance is the first premier Concours automotive event to grace the metropolitan Atlanta region and will include more than 180 vintage and collectible entrant vehicles on Sunday, as well as approximately 200 rare and high-interest privately owned automobiles on display Saturday. Wallet and Krix are lifelong friends and business associates who joined together four years ago to realize their dream of producing a major classic automobile event such as the Concours d’Elegance for the Atlanta community. More information can be found at www.atlantaconcours.org
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