In 1996 the world came to Atlanta, GA for the Olympic Games and the Alfa Romeo Owners Club National Convention in "Hotlanta" that summer. A British Car Day annual event was also being held at Chateau Elan, a new Hotel Resort and Winery in Braselton, GA. Gathering all marques of the British Isles together on the front lawn of a castle-like mansion was a great success. So, a year after the AROC convention interest for an all-Italian marques show blossomed.

   Alfa Romeo of Atlanta members organized the first Atlanta Italian Car Day in October 1997,

also at Chateau Elan. Over 100 Italian cars and motorcycles made their debut on the finely manicured front lawn. The show featured a wide variety of Italian beauties from Fiats to Ferraris

and a strong showing from Alfa Romeo owners. There were no sponsors, only former Alfa dealer Paul Spruell, by then a Lamborghini dealer, showing the new, gull-winged Diablo exotic.​

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   In 1998, another "ICD" show was planned at the Chateau, but utilizing a high-cost venue would prove difficult. Exotic Italian cars spread out on the lawn was a golden idea, but the Chateau's costs would be too expensive. No one wanted the show to "die on the vine" so it was moved to nearby Lake Lanier, using a large picnic pavilion in Buford Dam Park. A lakeside venue along the shoreline amid fall foliage colors was a great alternative. For the third year, the Atlanta Fiat Club's John Montgomery and a few Alfa Romeo Club members picked up the leadership reins. Bring your Italian car- no matter the condition, meet new friends, perhaps win an award and even a raffle prize was the theme. The show recipe has been the same ever since and is still running strong after a quarter

of a century.

   John added peer judging for marque trophies, a "Best of Show" award, and in the best Italian tradition...always something for lunch! In the early years piping hot spaghetti was served to attendees. Blame it on those crazy Fiat guys, who learned how to cook pasta outdoors at the annual Road Atlanta Mitty races. In 2001, the show was delayed by the tragic events of September 11th. Finally held in November, everyone was thankful for the chance to enjoy the simple pleasure of an open-air car show. Perhaps the good Lord himself wanted to see the Italian cars too? In 2002, the DeTomaso Pantera owners had a reunion with 39 cars attending, tying their all-time marque record that still stands today.

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   After 2003, the show moved to Kurt's Restaurant in Duluth, GA. Owners Kurt and Vreny Eisele turned their German Restaurant into an Italian Bistro on one Saturday each year for several years. Professional individual car photos were taken by John Adams Shutter Group photos, who still shoots the show today. In 2009, the show began offering the now famous event posters, created by Rick Andreoli. Atlanta Italian Car Day moved in 2011 to downtown Norcross, GA and then onto the

lawn at Lillian Webb Park, Norcross for nine years.

   Unfortunately, restrictions from Covid in 2020 shut down the Norcross venue. Ferrari Maserati of Atlanta then stepped up and offered their top-notch facility. Imagine, an exotic car dealership pulling all their inventory off the lot just for a car show? It just shows the love for the pure, simplistic beauty of an Italian car show. "ICD" does not include a fashion or jewelry show, a live auction or music stage band. No starving artists in tents are selling wall art, and there's not even wine tasting.

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It's all about the Italian automobili and motociclette...and the loyal owners who showcase them!