Ultimate Guide to the Inaugural Chattanooga Motorcar Festival: A Car Enthusiast's Paradise

Vroom. Vroom. Chattanooga is solidifying its reputation as a premier "car town" with the inaugural Chattanooga Motorcar Festival, October 11-13. Centered in the West Village, this weekend extravaganza delivers vintage cars, riverfront time trials, scenic road rallies, and appearances by auto racing legends— a dream event for enthusiasts.

Tickets start at $35 for a day pass. Buy tickets here.

For the full experience, plan your visit with the complete schedule here. We've curated highlights by interest to help you navigate this must-attend event, offering something for every automotive fan.

For History Buffs...

Experience automotive history up close—no museum trip required. Festival founder Byron Defoor promises "some of the most intriguing cars and bikes in the country." Highlights include a 1938 Wolseley Special, 1918 American LaFrance, 1958 Jaguar XK150 OTS, 1952 Aston Martin DB2, and multiple Porsche 911s. The Lane Motor Museum showcases a rare 1932 propeller-driven Helicron. Corvette fans will spot early classics to the modern mid-engine C8. View them at Saturday's Concours d'Elegance in the West Village, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For Thrill Seekers...

Competition has fueled cars since their invention. The festival offers vintage "friendly" rivalries: the High Jinks Rallye at Coker Tire Museum on Friday and Saturday, featuring pre-war and vintage cars on scenic Chattanooga drives. Meanwhile, riverfront time trials on a closed course hit 190 mph, with elite drivers racing the clock. Saturday features drifting demos by Tanner Foust.

For Celebrity Fans...

Get starstruck by racing icons. Grand Marshal Brian Redman boasts nine championships. NASCAR legend "Awesome Bill from Dawsonville," Bill Elliott, holds the all-time fastest qualifying record (212.809 mph at Talladega, 1987). Join Alain de Cadenet (F1 analyst), Wayne Carini (Chasing Classic Cars), and Tanner Foust. Full appearances here.

For Vintage Boat Lovers...

Though motorcar-focused, the Tennessee Riverfront spotlights boats. The Antique and Classic Boat Society displays at Erwin Marina. Catch parades Friday and Saturday, 12:15-12:45 p.m.

For Families with Kids...

Kids under 15 enter free with an adult ticket. Kid-friendly thrills abound: fast cars, boats, celebs, plus the West Village Kids Zone (Fri-Sat, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.) with face painting, balloons, inflatables, Herbie the Love Bug, Professor Gig-A-Watt (EPB), Looie the Lookout, and Creative Discovery Museum activities.