Classic Cars Hit the Road: Tour d’Elegance Rolls Through Grey Bruce on Sept. 12
Over 60 rare vehicles from the Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance will tour Grey Bruce on Sept. 12, with stops in Owen Sound, Oliphant, and Wiarton.
Before they take the field overlooking Georgian Bay, some of the world’s most celebrated automobiles will hit the open road. On Friday, September 12, more than 60 concours-level vehicles will participate in the Tour d’Elegance, a 114-kilometre drive through Grey and Bruce counties.
The tour departs from Cobble Beach Golf Resort at 10:30 a.m. and passes through downtown Owen Sound and the lakeside village of Oliphant before reaching Wiarton around 12:15 p.m. for a public viewing stop at Dockside Willies. After lunch, participants will return via the scenic Big Bay route.
“These vehicles weren’t built just to sit still,” said Rob McLeese, Chair of the Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance. “This tour brings them to life, giving the public a chance to witness them where they belong — on the road.”
From Pre-War Classics to Porsche Legends
The Tour d’Elegance features an eclectic mix of marques, from Bentley, Cadillac, and Packard to Ferrari and Jaguar. Among the most talked-about entries this year is a 1988 Porsche 959 Komfort once owned by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates.
Known as the “Bill Gates 959,” the car is not only a rare supercar but also the catalyst for the U.S. “Show or Display” legislation that reshaped import rules for historic vehicles. It will headline the Concours on Sunday, September 14.
Part of a Weekend Festival
The tour is one of several public events tied to the 11th annual Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival. On Saturday, September 13, downtown Owen Sound will host Cars & Coffee on 2nd Avenue East and the lighthearted Concours d’Lemons on 1st Avenue West, offering a contrast between automotive perfection and quirky imperfection.
The main Concours event takes place Sunday, September 14, when more than 120 rare and historically significant vehicles will be showcased on the 18th fairway at Cobble Beach, overlooking Georgian Bay.
A detailed map of the Tour d’Elegance route is available at cobblebeachconcours.com/events#ParticipantsTour