2023 Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix

The Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix is the nation’s largest vintage street race and the largest vintage race event, spanning 10 days with two race weekends, car shows, parties, parades and motorsport events.

Our original mission, established in 1983 was, “To stage a world-class vintage automotive race to raise funds to provide residential care, treatment and support for individuals with autism and intellectual/developmental disabilities in western Pennsylvania.” 40 years later we are still on track.

Though our first race was in 1983, our organization actually started the year prior. Art McGovern and Mary Beth Gmitter envisioned the city streets winding through Schenley Park as a perfect venue for vintage auto racing. Told that the City of Pittsburgh approval hinged on the assurance that any money raised would go to charity, they first approached Myron Cope of WTAE-TV Sports fame – also an autism awareness advocate. Meetings with the city’s parks people followed and then-Mayor Richard Caliguiri gave his enthusiastic approval. The Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix Associationlyas created, consisting of volunteers, and net proceeds would be donated to charity. In April 1983, during a meeting in vintage racer Alan Patterson’s Shadyside garage, the planning began for the first Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix, scheduled for Labor Day 1983.