Gasparilla Concours d'Elegance

About Us

Gasparilla Concours d'Elegance

Executive Directors Brando and Joanne Pistorius founded the Gasparilla Concours d'Elegance in Tampa, Florida in 2017. After carefully incorporating, planning and receiving the appropriate tax designations as a 501c3 non-profit, the 2+ year process of planning the Inaugural Gasparilla Concours d'Elegance resulted in an all volunteer base of over 150 people creating an exquisite and unique event for the first time in Tampa Bay.

The most rare, original and historically important cars and motorcycles will be on display and judged for your viewing pleasure.

Friday's Tour d'Elegance- Set your chairs up and bring a picnic lunch, or enjoy one of the many fanntastic sidewalk cafes along the route, you will want to see these exquisite classic vehicles rally down the road as they prove their roadworthiness on Friday 11am-4pm. The Rally Route travels down main Street in historic Safety Harbor from 2-3pm.

Saturday is the main event where you can enjoy the "Tastes of Tampa Bay" delicious foods, signature "Gaspar's Grog" cocktails, exciting auction items and experiences, Vintage Fashion Show, Vintage Plane Flyover, Red Carpet Ceremony and Live Entertainment and so much more! New to the Saturday Line-up: The GCDE Car Club Showcase.

We finish up on Sunday "on the road again" but this time the public is invited to drive along with the fabulous "GCDE Nickel Tour" of the Tampa Bay Area. All cars are welcomed to join in, modern and vintage.

This is the only Concours d'Elegance for Tampa and the west coast of Florida, and the name "Gasparilla" is synonymous with the Tampa Bay area's most famous social season.

The challenge is to invite those collectible cars and motorcycles that are rarely seen in public and tell a story that fascinates and educates. We want you to come back every year to find the latest rare and exquisite vehicles we have invited to join us.

Tampa's Gasparilla festivities occur in December through April every year, since 1904, celebrating the legend of the invasion of the city by the fictional (or not!) pirate Jose Gaspar. The mayor of Tampa relinquishes the keys to the city, and we are invaded by a pirate ship filled with hundreds of the cities finest business people and founding families of Tampa, all in the name of fun and charity. The Mardi Gras styled event draws hundreds of thousands of spectators. If you include the many additional events associated with the Gasparilla season, there are millions of participants and spectators involved with Gasparilla.

Now we bring you the newest addition to Tampa's festivities...

The Gasparilla Concours d'Elegance

announcing the beneficiary of the 2022 Gasparilla concours

Cure FA

Friedreich's Ataxia, known as FA is an inherited disease that damages the nervous system. The damage affects the spinal cord and the nerves that control muscle movement in the arms and legs. Symptoms usually begin between the ages of 5 and 15.

Let's Bring Awareness

We look forward to helping in the awareness campaign for this worthy charitable organization. FA is a rare disease that most people have never heard of. It is our hope that we can assist with increasing awareness and support.

* Concours d'Elegance vs Car Show *

We love a good car show! We attend dozens each year, and many car enthusiasts know the difference between a car show and a Concours d'Elegance. Unfortunately, for those who do not know the difference, they can be misled into attending a car show that promotes itself as a Concours d'Elegance just to divert and mislead attendees, participants, sponsors and advertisers for the purpose of making profit. Profit is good, but it is not the motivating factor at a Concours d'Elegance.

The Gasparilla Concours d'Elegance is the only true Concours d'Elegance in the Tampa Bay Area.

What you will find as the major differences between a car show and a Concours d'Elegance include:

1. A charitable foundation, an IRS 501c3 recognized Non-Profit Organization, with a stated purpose to aid those in need. Those without may just be pocketing your contributions without your knowledge. The proof of donation to charity, and the amount, should be disclosed to the public. GCDE is a registered 501c3.

2. A substantial volunteer base. Most organizations require 100-300 volunteers to put on a proper Concours d'Elegance. GCDE has 150+ volunteers.

3. A Board of Directors who oversee the organization, the financial propriety, and the overall good business practices of the Concours d'Elegance. GCDE has a sizable BOD of experts that range in professional occupations of accounting, legal, entrepreneurs and car collectors.

4. A system of selection that is truly motivated by experts who form a Committee that evaluates and choose the field based on originality, historical importance, and rareness. Car shows are great to find cars of all sorts, including modified vehicles, but that is not what a Concours d'Elegance focuses on.

5. Quality is king. You expect a beautifully bound commemorative color Program, keepsake signage that shares the history of the vehicle, art components, multi day events, exceptional food and beverage offerings, live entertainment, exquisite awards, Red Carpet Awards Ceremony, a knowledgeable and professional Master of Ceremony, VIP's and Celebrities, a beautiful venue, such as golf courses, parks and airports with waterfront views. All these qualities add up to a substantial investment in producing a Concours d'Elegance, for the enjoyment of all involved.

6. Marketing and Capital. A Concours generally requires far more capital to produce, and the budget is well into the six figure mark. Professionally produced commercials on network television, radio, social media, print advertising. This allows the event to produce the results the attendees, participants and sponsors come to expect.

We hope you are able to visit many true Concours d'Elegances throughout the country, and the world. It is a truly unique experience.

December 2-4, 2022

Celebrating 100 Years of Automotive Excellence

It’s almost here!

2022 Video

General Admission and VIP Tickets on Sale NOW!

FAQ

How Much is Admission for Kids? Kids are FREE! We consider under 16 a kid, because y'all can't drive yet ;-)

Pet Friendly Absolutely, just please keep on a leash and always clean up after any messes.

About Us

Gasparilla Concours d'Elegance

announcing the beneficiary of the 2022 Gasparilla concours

Cure FA

Let's Bring Awareness

Videos

2020 Gasparilla Concours d'Elegance

Gasparilla

Please Note:

Hillsborough Region

Antique Automobile Club of America

Mission Statement

* Concours d'Elegance vs Car Show *

Venue Information

Held at TPC Tampa Bay Golf Course

Registered with the State of Florida

Photo Licenses for this website are free use

December 2-4, 2022

Celebrating 100 Years of Automotive Excellence

It’s almost here!

2022 Video

General Admission and VIP Tickets on Sale NOW!

FAQ

How Much is Admission for Kids? Kids are FREE! We consider under 16 a kid, because y'all can't drive yet ;-)

Pet Friendly Absolutely, just please keep on a leash and always clean up after any messes.

About Us

Gasparilla Concours d'Elegance

announcing the beneficiary of the 2022 Gasparilla concours

Cure FA

Let's Bring Awareness

Videos

2020 Gasparilla Concours d'Elegance

Gasparilla

Please Note:

Subscribe

Hillsborough Region

Antique Automobile Club of America

Mission Statement

* Concours d'Elegance vs Car Show *

Venue Information

Held at TPC Tampa Bay Golf Course

Connect With Us

Registered with the State of Florida

Photo Licenses for this website are free use

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