Atlanta Concours d’Elegance to Feature Bugatti Aerolithe Recreation
Returning for its fourth year, Oct. 19 and 20 event will showcase rides from prestigious collections.
The annual Atlanta Concours d’Elegance will soon be upon us in a new location that is ideal to showcase the some of the most rare and luxury vehicles–vintage and modern alike. Taking place on October 19 and 20, this year’s event is being held at Tyler Perry Studios in downtown Atlanta. It is already shaping up to be even more impressive than previous years, starring a one-of-a-kind Bugatti that is truly a work of art.
A one-off prototype Bugatti Aerolithe Type 57 recreation will certainly be a major draw. The car was built over a seven-year period by David Grainger of the Guild of Automotive Restoration in Ontario, Canada. The car is built on one of the original four Aerolithe chassis made by Bugatti–number 57104. It is also powered by the original 3.3-liter, DOHC 8-cylinder motor. The team had to rely on merely 11 photographs of the original car, which was shown at the Paris Auto Show in 1935, taken on one road test in the U.K., and then disappeared–never to be seen or driven again.
“With embellishment comes art,” says Grainger. This was a project driven by determination and a little mystery. And he was fully aware of this car’s impact. The Type 57 was “the car that started it all,” Grainger says. After it disappeared, it still influenced Bugattis styling, as well the design approaches of the automotive world at large. The Aerolithe recreation was built using the same coach building techniques that would have originally been utilized in the 1930s.
“We were charged with the inability to use modern day technology, tools or materials such as carbon fiber, and instead relegated to what would have been the strongest material of that timeframe– magnesium,” says Grainger. “We had to duplicate something you just can’t see–and that was the greatest challenge of all.”
The finished product is truly remarkable.
But the Bugatti is just one of many awe-inspiring cars at the event. One Saturday, the Invitational Cars and Coffee will take place, and featured cars will compete in the Magnificent Seven Competition.
The main event for the Atlanta Concours d’Elegance is the 4th Annual Atlanta Concours d’Elegance Competition on Sunday. A large field of 180 to 200 cars will take their places. Classic and collector cars will be on display, ranging from 1900 to 1968 model years, with an emphasis on brass era and pre-war automobiles.
Bentley will be the featured marque for the event, as they are celebrating their 100 year anniversary. Additionally, the event will also feature a craft beer and wine garden, exotic and luxury showcase cars, and a Ride and Drive Experience, just to name a few added things to add to the appeal of the event.
You can follow the Atlanta Concours on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube. And for more on the Bugatti Aerolithe Coupe, watch this video from Jay Leno’s Garage.
Photos: Atlanta Concours d’Elegance