(August 27, 2016) ATLANTA — For the first time, a Concours competition and celebration of some of the world's most beautiful automobiles will be held in a major metropolitan area that boasts more than 7 million in population.The Atlanta Concours d'Elegance, scheduled for Oct. 8-9 at Château Élan Winery & Resort, will host more than 170 vintage, classic and innovatively designed vehicle entries including several multi-million dollar cars and prior show winners with values confirmed by honorary head judge and co-host of Velocity Channel "What's My Car Worth," Keith Martin.

Martin's automotive acumen, national recognition and participation in some of the world's most highly regarded Concours brings an added level of notoriety to the event. In addition, the event will include displays of nearly 300 club and private automobiles.

The Atlanta Concours d'Elegance, unlike some of its more recognized contemporaries, will feature many first-time experiences for Concours attendees including:

    • Twelve Ride-and-Drive experiences with some of the world's top luxury car manufacturers, including Aston Martin, Bentley, BMW, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, McLaren, Mercedes, Panoz, Porsche, Rolls Royce and Tesla

    • Novice and expert education sessions to learn everything from car maintenance to how to buy an exotic car

    • The Restoration Corner — featuring one of the state's premier vintage car restoration experts — Speedwell Engineering, LTD. — from Canton, Ga.

    • A restaurant competition with up to six participating notable restaurants competing for the "People's Choice" award and the chance to return to the 2017 Atlanta Concours d'Elegance

The event co-founders and co-chairmen are Bill Wallet, serial technology entrepreneur and COO of the Atlanta Concours d'Elegance, and Harry Krix, chairman, IT sales and marketing expert and former director of operations for Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance. Together, they not only envisioned creating a Concours d'Elegance near a major metropolitan area that would attract thousands, but also programming the event to look like a more mature Concours – not one in its first year.

"Our goal was to make this inaugural event even better and more exciting than most established Concours events," said Wallet. "We've heavily invested in the venue, assembled the right team and are bringing some amazing automobiles to the event truly showcasing Atlanta's, and the Southeast's, love of cars," he added.

Martin is part of that equation, and brings immediate national recognition to this inaugural event. In fact, Martin, a recipient of numerous prestigious awards in the collector car community, is a Board of Trustees member for the famed LeMay Automotive Museum in Washington State as well as editor and publisher of the popular monthly magazine Sports Car Market.

According to Krix, "We will have one of the finest collections of classic automobiles on display that has ever been assembled in Georgia. Our theme, 'Shifting through Time,' will be a celebration of the innovative designs that epitomize the historical journey of the automobile," he added.

While about 80 percent of the entrant vehicles have won awards in prior shows, the addition of the cars from significant personal collections in the Southeast may be a stronger point of differentiation in creating a truly memorable weekend. Substantial sightings are expected to include:

    • Five exceptional vehicles from the Harold Coker collection with three original Thomas Flyer multi-cylinder vehicles from the early 1900s, including a 1912 roadster

    • A pristine collection of Chevrolets dating back to the 1920s from local Atlanta collector Jim Collier

    • Among numerous Barn Finds, a pre-war seven-passenger 1932 Packard Phaeton — one of the last to exist

    • Several vintage customized cars from the Elliott Museum in Jensen Beach, Florida, including a 1914 Packard touring car (pictured above) and a 1920 Hudson, each owned by Italian opera singer Enrico Caruso

The schedule is packed with opportunities for first-time Concours attendees, as well as the discerning vintage and classic car collector.

On Saturday, Oct. 8, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Chateau Elan Golf Club's greens will welcome ticket holders to feast their eyes on more than 300 unique, drivable cars from local car clubs, museums and individuals.

From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., on Sunday, Oct. 9, The Atlanta Concours d'Elegance will present a collection of more than 170 elegant vehicles in numerous classes from the Brass Era to imported early 20th century sports cars to vintage competition cars to unrestored barn finds.