Classic Car Show: Uniting vastly differing car cultures

Classic Car Show: Uniting vastly differing car cultures

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If you are a motoring enthusiast, there's a good chance you have attended a car meet, car show or even a breakfast run of some sort. There's no shortage of car-focused events in Johannesburg and the Classic Car Show, alongside the 'German vs Jap' car meet quite simply exceeded expectations.  

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The turnout wasn't only vast but also radically diverse, flooding the Nasrec Expo Centre in a sea of flame-spitting and old-school V8 rumblers. This provided Gauteng enthusiasts with the perfect environment to indulge in their passion amongst an endless number of like-minded owners.

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The classic side of life

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The south side of the show grounds hosted the Classic Car Show, where numerous American muscle cars mingled with the occasional European and Japanese cars with collectors coming out in force. From custom shops displaying their coolest interiors on their old-school Fords, to mint-condition Shelby Cobra replicas, the selection was vast. 

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The biggest head-turner at the classic car show was an iconic vehicle which seemed a little out of place against the backdrop of old-school classics. The car in question is the all-new C8 Corvette. I wasn't expecting to see this wave-maker American supercar on our shores just yet, but what a sight it was. No one can say there was a lack of variety…

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Furthermore, a pristine Nissan 180SX also grabbed my attention. You don't see many '90s Nissan sports cars nowadays, especially specimens that haven't been graced by a self-proclaimed tuner. But this particular car was clean and was almost as pretty as the day it rolled off the showroom floor. I must admit, the European classic turnout was also impressive. I have definitely seen my fair share of worse-for-wear 90s Mercedes E-Class models and BMW E30-E36s. But it was refreshing to see so many European highway cruisers that were properly looked after and appreciated in a way these cars deserve.

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German vs Japanese

On the other end of the expo centre was a car meet of colossal proportions. As you can imagine, the variety of cars was rather limited; however, Joburg's JDM gems showed up in their droves. When I arrived at the event, I passed a queue of modified cars, some kilometres long, lined up and ready to show off their latest upgrades and modifications. Needless to say, this soon became a showcase of lowered Polo Vivos, Golf GTIs and BMWs. Purely on numbers alone, the German car owners massively outperformed the turnout of the Japanese representatives. However, what the Japanese corner lacked in numbers, they made up for with the quality of collections on display.

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From multiple R34 Skyline GTRs and Mk 4 Supras to a large collection of rotary Mazda RX7 and RX8 units, it was clear that the JDM enthusiasts were in their element. But with the vast selection of these classics, there were also a few very special and considerably rarer cars that were crowded by spectators throughout the day. 

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The Nissan R33 Skyline GTR isn't exactly a common sight on our roads, but it surely commands the attention of any self-respecting car enthusiast. Another definite highlight was the wide-bodied Toyota 86, aggressively lowered and wrapped in a creative anime-inspired graphic. From what I understand, this Toyota 86 has been in the global spotlight recently as people from around the world have viewed this car on social media, and the world loves it.

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Until next time

The classic car show was an event that left an indelible mark as the place where classic car enthusiasts could share their passions with like-minded individuals. From a couple of modern muscle cars to a sea of classic Fords and Chevys, with the odd European car in between, it was a sight to behold. On the other hand, the German vs Japanese exhibition was a brilliant show of modified cars, loud exhausts and dropped suspension systems.

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The Nasrec Expo Centre provided the perfect playground to host a truly memorable car show and you can bet that we're eagerly awaiting the next iteration. 

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