A place that celebrates the history of the automobile – and the culture around it.
Much like last year’s festival, this year featured 3 fun filled days. If you run out of things to do or see at the Chattanooga Motorcar Festival – it’s your own fault! This year’s event felt even bigger than ever as well as more anticipated. Billboards advertising this years event have been put up across town for months leading up to the festival. If you missed this year’s festival, definitely plan on going next year! In the meantime, here’s our gallery of everything that went on during this year’s event:
West Village
The “hub” of the festival is West Village, where all of the shows & concours happens.
It’s here that you’ll spot some of the world’s most exclusive & expensive cars. Like…
Ferrari
Tons of Ferraris everywhere you look. Thanks mostly to the folks at Ferrari of Atlanta. Also, special shoutout to Alex from Ron Tonkin Gran Turismo. He was there all weekend answering questions and making sure everything Ferrari wise went smooth.
2nd year in a row seeing an F50…
First time seeing TWO side by side.
And then there’s this. Out front, one of the most expensive cars I have ever seen. A Ferrari 250 LM. Valued in the neighborhood of 17 million USD.
Quite the piece of history.
Cool cars everywhere you look
One of my personal favorites was this 599 GTO. Owner was super cool and let me get an in depth look at it. Red carbon accents, burgundy interior. 10/10 spec.
Luftgekuhlt
The best P-Cars represented all in one place.
Yes, this thing is somehow road legal. With plates.
Only the best Porsches in the world were represented. Good stuff!
Water AND air cooled, both represented well.
There were TOO MANY to pick from! But, I loved the simplicity of this one in particular. With the RUF wheels… perfect.
Mecum Auctions
Mecum once again returns to Chattanooga! Fun fact, I once worked for one of the sponsors of Mecum. I’ve been to around 20 of these auctions now and the atmosphere is always AMAZING! Highly recommend going to one near you if given the chance.
You never know what you’ll find at a Mecum auction! This left hand converted Maloo R8 was one of my favorites!
Hadn’t seen one of these in a while! Name that car:
And it wasn’t just cars they were selling. Check out this Lamborghini tractor!
Showcase
Here’s a gallery of cars that were featured in the West Village showcase areas. Some stand outs include this modified Ford GT making 600+ HP!
This Countach was swarmed CONSTANTLY by folks!
I had the opportunity to go for a ride in this rare Jaguar Project 8. Wild thing!
Personally, one of my favorites.
Everyone say hello to Nick!
The new Maserati MC20. After seeing it in this color, I really dig it. This or a C8 Corvette Z06…
The lowrider community is getting stronger in the area, and I couldn’t be happier about it.
Excuse me, sir… you CANNOT park there! So cool to see stuff like this running around.
Savoy Museum
The folks at the Savoy Museum brought some amazing cars to the Chattanooga Motorcar Festival. It was great getting to meet some of the staff & I cannot wait to make my trip down to Cartersville!
Celebrity Sightings
One of the cool things about the Motorcar Festival – you never know who you’ll see!
Patrick Long was one of the celebrity drivers in attendance. Factory Porsche racing driver – the only CURRENT factory driver from America.
‘EL ZED’ himself was there doing more than just the typical “meet & greet”…
Adam LZ Drift Demos
Adam was out on track Friday & Saturday doing drift demos & giving ridealongs!
The guys at RTR have built some WILD Mustangs!
Adam was supplied with TONS of tires, so he shredded through as many as he could! Such a cool experience to see!
Even after some suspension mishaps, the RTR guys (plus some locals!) got the car back up & running in no time!
Racing Action!
This is what it’s all about. Historic racing & having a good time watching cars go fast.
Of course, it’s not all fun & games – it’s racing, after all! Not without its fair share of accidents. This Camaro spun out and hit the wall. The car was back out on track not too much later!
Double checking the car for damage (it got shunted by a prototype) and then it was back to it.
Here’s one of my favorites. Love the way these cars rev out.
Here’s the crowd favorite. Yes, a Smart Car. But – a BRABUS Smart Car!
Returning racer from years past. Love the factory color scheme.
The plate reads “ENZO WHO?”
The brass era racing was probably my favorite of the weekend. Really takes you back in time.
And these guys are PUSHING these machines!
In stark contrast to todays modern prototype out on the track.
And here’s my favorite photo of the weekend!
You have to experience it for yourself. Definitely spectator friendly!
All in all, the Chattanooga Motorcar Festival is an amazing event! I highly recommend you get yourself to Chattanooga next year and see it for yourself!
Besides going across the pond to Goodwood – where else will you be able to see these works of art going around a track?
Thank you to the fine folks that organize this festival and make it what it is. And thank you to our media relations for having us back for a 2nd year in a row. We are already looking forward to next year!
Last year’s coverage: HERE
Photos & Text by Ben Battles
